Seitei Iaido

Seitei gata iai (standardized forms of iai) are twelve kata that are promoted by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (Japan Kendo Federation, or ZNKR).  Seitei is the most widely practiced system of iai is promoted as a way of standardising the many different styles of iai.  This provides a level playing field for all practitioners to study, grade and compete in shiai (competitions).  Although seitei is a modern innovation it contains all the elements necessary to progress to the classical forms of iai and can be used as a "toolbox" to learn basic techniques and concepts and a medium for improvement.

The twelve kata that make up seitei gata consist of four forms from a seated position and eight from a standing position and are:

Seiza (Kneeling position)

  1) Ippon me (The first): Mae (Front)
      Cut kirioroshi to a seated opponent to the front.

  2) Nihon me (The second): Ushiro (Rear)
      Cut kirioroshi to a seated opponent to the rear.

  3) Sanbon me (The third): Uke nagashi (Catch and slide off)
      Block ukenagashi (fend, parry) an attack from a standing approaching opponent and cut diagonally.

Tate Hiza (Sitting with one knee raised off the ground))

  4) Yonhon me (The fourth): Tsuka ate (Strike with the tsuka)
      Thrust with the tsuka one opponent to the front and cut a second opponent to the rear.

Taichi (Standing)

  5) Gohon me (The fifth): Kesa giri (Cut to kesa)
      Cut up and down the kesa of an opponent approaching from the front.

  6) Roppon me (The sixth): Morote tsuki (Thrust with both hands)
      Cut and thrust two opponents, one approaching from front, the other following behind.

  7) Nanahon me (The seventh): Sanpo kiri (Cut in three directions)
      Cut three opponents, one approaching from front, the others from the left and right.

  8) Hachihon me (The eighth): Ganmen ate (Strike to center of face)
      Cut and thrust two opponents, one approaching from the front, the other following     behind.

  9) Kyuhon me (The ninth): Soete tsuki (Thrust with hand alongside the blade)
      Cut and stab an opponent to the right.

10) Jyuppon me (The tenth): Shihogiri (Cut in four directions)
      Cut and thrust four opponents.

11) Jyu-ippon me (The eleventh): Sou giri
      Cut an opponent many times over, who is standing in front.

12) Jyu-nihon me (The twelfth): Nuki uchi
      Step back and cut an opponent standing in front.