Nihon Kata

Nihon Kendo No Kata

Kata 1–7 are performed with both partners using a long sword.

Kata 8–10 are performed with shidachi (student) using a bokken and uchidachi (teacher) using a short sword.

The uchidachi makes the first move or attack in each kata. As this is a instructing role, the uchidachi always the 'loses'. This allows shidachi to learn and gain confidence.

The following videos (hosted on Youtube) show each of the 10 kata plus reiho, as performed by Sensei Needham (Mark) and Sensei Bauld (Ewan).