PUBLIC MARKS with tags kata & video

A group, most likely Fukuoka-teached, performing Shinto-ryu kenjutsu. The pair in the background are showing all 4 of the short-sword kata. The foreground pair are showing some of the long-sword kata. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSZ_KbVp4Wo

Taped at Kumano Hongu Taisha in Southeast Wakayama prefecture on August 20th, 2006. This is "the Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu kata from Shinto Muso ryu Jo." - Ai sui (sa) - Chibarai - Sarin - Uke nagashi - Suri komi

These are the standard Japanese sword (katana) drawing techniques. The Seitei gata were standardized by a formal comity of Japanese traditional martial artists in the late 20th century. Clicking on the links leads to a description and fine points of executing the techniques and to an embedded video of these Iaido kata.

The 31 jo kata often practiced by aikidoka, is normally done in two directions - most movements to the front, and a few to the back. In my dojo, we got the idea of making it shiho, four directions, like most kata with that many movements are in other budo. It's fun for a change. Try it out, if you like - and if the photos and video clips are clear enough to figure out the movements. If not, then why don't you find out your own way of doing it? The photos were taken by Patrik Orth in Zlin. The video clips were filmed by Johnny Petersen at Enighet dojo in Malmö.

This video shows the 31 jo kata from 3 angles and the footwork in detail. The kata is executed by Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros (rokudan), chief instructor of TAKN. This is an instructional video made by Takemusu Aikido Kyokai Nederland.

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).

The 12 basic forms are called Seitei-Iai (Standard-Iai). They were created by the the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR = All Japan Kendo Federation or IKF). They are training forms, which include all important sword technics. Seitei-Iai forms will provide the basic education (Kihon).

Tenshinsho Jigen ryu demonstrates iai kata in front of Kameido Katori Jinja, April 29th, 2005.

Jodo Jojutsu Zen Nihon Renmei Shinto Muso Ryu