Muso Shinden Ryu is perhaps the most widely practiced of all Iaido systems. There are a number of lineages of Muso Shinden Ryu, but all trace back to Nakayama Hakudo.

These Iai arts were performed by NAGAE Matasaburo, in his sixties (guess). He was born and lived in Nagasaki, received the 7th grade of Kendo and 8th grade of Iai from Zen-Nippon Kendo Renmei (All-Japan Kendo Federation). He also practiced Shinto Munen style Iai. The original movies were recorded in 8mm films, then edited in a VHS tape. It's not known who took and maintained these films (maybe one of Matasaburo's disciples did). They were converted to DV (digital video) format, stored in HDD, finally created QuickTime H.263 format (360x240, 15fps, compressed).

Muso Shinden consists of three parts described below: the first, second levels, and the profound level.
The First Level
This level is originally called Oomori style, imported in the 18th century. It seems there is no relationship with the original Shigenobu style. The forms of this level start in Seiza pose except the 10th, which starts with a standing pose. The naming of forms are too much sophisticated (maybe influenced by Chinese literature or philosophy), or sometimes no meaning. This means these forms are not quite old.

It could be said that these forms were a mere formalization, or an invention for beginners training.

1. Shohat-To First (it is called Mae (Forward) in Muso-Jikiden).
2. Sa-To Left
3. U-To Right
4. Atari-To (Usiro (Back)).
5. In-Yo-Shin-Tai (Yaegaki).
6. Ryu-To (Ukenagasi).
7. Jun-To (Kaishaku)
8. Gyaku-To (Tukekomi or Oikiri)
9. Seichu-To (Tukikage)
10. Koran-To (Oikaze)
11. In-Yo-Shin-Tai Kaete
12. Bat-To (Nukiuti)

The Middle Level
This level is also called the Hidenobu (Eishin) style. The last form "Nukiuti" starts in "Seiza" pose, but this is an exception. The rests start in the older sitting pose "Tatehiza". The naming of forms is like poems (pseudo-archaic elegant style, which literate people, not warriors, tend to use). This style maybe a collection of older forms, revised to apply to modern situations by HASEGAWA Hidenobu, who is an officer workded for Nagoya Tokugawa Family.

1. Yokogumo Horizontal Clouds
2. ToraIssoku Tiger's One Step
3. Inaduma Thunderbolt
4. Ukigumo Floating Clouds
5. Yamaorosi Downhill Storm
6. Iwanami Rock and Wave
7. Urokogaesi Scaling Off
8. Namigaesi Backwash
9. Takiotosi Waterfall
10. Nukiuti Sudden Attack. It also called Joi-uti (punishment ordered by the boss). Maybe a very common assassinating technique.

[Fig Tuki]
The Profound Level
It is called "Oku Iai" in Japanese. "Oku" means "hidden" or "internal". It seems a collection of real techniques once used for killing enemies. The name "Oku" implies that these forms were confidentially inherited and have never been exposed to other Iai sects? I doubt they were really treated as secret. I think these forms are simply old and original, have been treated as sacred ones.

Divided into two parts: sitting and standing. Itomagoi starts in Seiza pose, though. Standing Forms seem rather old.
Sitting Forms

1. Kasumi Fog
2. Sunegakoi Covering the Knee
3. Sihogiri Attack Around
4. Todume Both Front
5. Towaki Both Front, Obstacles Behind
6. Tanasita Under the Shelf. hide in the shelf, crawl out, then beat.
7. Ryozume Forward Quick Attack.
8. Torabasiri Tiger Run

[Fig Sodome]
Standing Forms
These forms are very exciting and realistic. I love them very much.

1. Ikidure 1 Going Side by Side 1. There are two enemies in the right and left side, walking. Maybe you are arrested by them, trying to escape.
2. Ikidure 2 Going Side by Side 2
3. Turedati Going Together. There are one in front right and the other back left.
4. Somakuri Atack and Attack. Wind sword around to smash surrounding enemies.
5. Sodome Attack One After Another. Enemies are in a row coming towards through a relatively narrow path.
6. Sinobu Secret Attack. It is also called Yami-uti (Attack in the Darkness). Oh! how unfair this technique is !? You approach your enemy from his behind in the dark, slowly, quietly, click against the road the tip of the sword to divert the enemie's attention, then beat from opposite side.
7. Ikitigai Encounter Attack. There are two enemies coming towards in a row, when you reach between them, first stab the behind, then hit the front.
8. Sodesurigaesi Pushing Through the Crowd. You find your enemy beyond the crowd on the street. Draw out the sword first, pushing your way through the crowd, then reach and strike down onto the enemy.
9. Moniri Entering Through the Gate. Walk toward the gate, lower the body, stab the first coming enemy, then strike others.
10. Kabezoi By the Wall. Beyond the enemy there is a wall preventing from swinging the sword around.
11. Ukenagasi Receive and redirect the enemies attack.
12. Itomagoi 1 Farewell 1. While saying good bye, suddenly draw out your sword, then swing vertically onto the opponent's head, smash at one stroke, before he notices what happens. Farewells are supposed to be a modification of Nukiuti. Farewell 1 bow slightly.
13. Itomagoi 2 Farewell 2 bow more deeply
14. Itomagoi 3 Farewell 3 bow quite deeply, it will hide your sword-drawing action from the opponent.