Essential Curriculum in Japanese Swordsmanship

The Different Disciplines

Our essential learning material are fully inline with All Japan Kendo Federation teaching material. We cover all the fundamental teachings in principle and techniques. For beginners and advanced Japanese swordsmanship practitioners this is the globally recognised set of syllabus.

Kendo Basic Techniques Training with a Bokuto

木刀による剣道基本技稽古法

The Foundations To Sword Combat

The formal Japanese term for this set of kata is called
木刀による剣道基本技稽古法

(Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho). This is translated as The basic drills practicing method for training in kendo (the way of the sword) techniques. This is the most basic set of kata that are designed by All Japan Kendo Federation to help kendo practitioners in developing all the key aspects of sword handling techniques.

From 1999 to 2002, the Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho was worked fromconcept to application. April 5th and 6th, 2003, the first Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho workshop was conducted in Tokyo, Japan to introduce the newmethodology to selected representatives from each region of Japan.

Japan Kendo Kata
日本剣道形

The Advanced Combat Drills in Japanese Swordsmanship

Kata consists of 7 kata with tachi (long sword) and 3 kata with kodachi (short sword). We can see some stances that we don't use in the modern kendo anymore. For example, we do not use a kodachi in kendo unless we have two swords. So kendo kata definitely contains old style kenjutsu moves and they are different from kendo with shinai (shinai kendo). It is an essential part of learning Japanese swordsmanship as advocated by all the high rank senseis.

All Japan Kendo Federation Iaido Kata
全日本剣道連盟居合道形

The Art of Drawing the Sword. The Solo Combat Drills with the Real Blade

Seitei Iaido is the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei’s (全日本剣道連盟) Iaido kata set which was put together from various koryu kata. the Seitei kata are the standard all over the world for gradings and as a standardised form of Iaido. Traditional Iaido or Koryu was formed in the Edo jidai of Japan, over 500 years ago. The kata are all different depending on the Koryu. Each koryu was the creation of the founder of each style, usually some enlightened Samurai of the time. Each Koryu has its own philosophy which can often be seen in the higher levels of their kata.

All Japan Kendo Federation Jodo Kihon

Foundations of Japanese Staff (Stick) Fighting

traditional Japanese martial art using a short staff or stick against a person armed with a wooden sword. Normally practised by advance swordsmanship practitioners. In our Dojo we introduce gradual approach so that the way of the Jo stick is developed inline with swordsmanship progressions.

Tandoku Dosa – (individual practice)

This is done by oneself, repeating one of thirteen basic techniques this teaches good posture and a basic understanding of the movements of the Jo and body

Sotai Dosa – (paired practice)

The same techniques are practiced but this time with an opponent wielding a Bokto (wooden sword) this promotes an awareness of Maai (distance) Metsuke (correct vision) and the correct places to hit your opponent.

All Japan Kendo Federation Jodo Kata

全日本剣道連盟杖道形

The Advanced Art of Japanese Staff (Stick) Fighting

In the 1968 the All Japan Kendo Federation recognized the importance of Jodo and felt that its study would be beneficial to the students of Kendo and Iaido. Accordingly, 12 representative forms were taken from the Shindo Muso Ryu to form The All Japan Kendo Federations standard Jodo forms called Seitei Kata.