Seitei-gata Iaidô

The Zen Nihon Kendô Renmei (ZNKR) decided in the 1960s that post-war kendô-ka were too far removed from how real swords were used that the old skills were not being passed along to the next generation. This was mainly a legacy of the Occupation, which had banned most Budô as being anti-democratic and militaristic. The kendô-ka were able to win shiai but knew nothing about cutting. A committee was formed of very senior sensei to develop a set of iaidô kata to be used as a standard set to teach the younger kendô-ka. Since, everyone would know the same set of kata, they could be used as a standard for shinsa (testing for rank). In the mid 60s the committee issued the first 7 kata of the standard iaidô kata that are now called the Seitei-gata Iaidô of the ZNKR. These kata were either adapted from kata of a ko-ryû (classical old style school of Budô) or developed in the spirit of kata from several ko-ryû. In 1977 the committee added 3 more kata. Of course many of the members had changed in 10 years. In April of 2001 the ZNKR approved 2 more kata to be added to the existing 10 this brings the Seitei-gata Iaidô of ZNKR to an even 12 kata.

The kata are divided up into 3 types: Seiza no bu, Tatehiza no bu, and Tachi no bu. The first section of 3 kata is done from the Seiza sitting position. The fourth kata is the sole kata of the second section, which is done from the tatehiza sitting position. The rest of the kata are done from standing position. The 12 kata of Seitei-gata Iaidô of ZNKR are:

	Seiza no bu (Seated Set)
	1. Mae (To the Front)
	2. Ushiro (To the Rear)
	3. Ukenagashi (Take and give back)
	Tatehiza no bu (Half-Seated Set)
	4. Tsuka-ate (Strike with the handle)
	Tachiwaza no bu (Standing Set)
	5. Kesa-giri (Diagonal cuts)
	6. Morote-tsuki (2 handed thrust)
	7. San-pô-giri (3 direction cuts)
	8. Ganmen-ate (Strike to face)
	9. Sôete-tsuki (Companion hand thrust)
	10. Shi-hô-giri (4 direction cuts)
	11. Sô-giri (Many cuts)
	12. Nuki-uchi (Draw & Cut down)