Technical Program of Iaido - ZNKR

 

The Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Iaido (居合 of the All Japan Kendo Federation) is a form of iaido established in 1969 by the All Japan Kendo Federation (全剣連). This form was created as an introductory set of iaido kata, integrating basic techniques and movements from various traditional schools of iaido. It is also known as Zen Ken Ren Iaido or established iaido, and its program consists of 12 kata:

1. Mae 前
2. Ushiro 後ろ
3. Ukenagashi 受け流し
4. Tsuka-ate 柄当て
5. Kesagiri 袈裟切り
6. Morote tsuki 諸手突き
7. Sanpōgiri 三方切り
8. Ganmen ate 顔面当て
9. Soete-tsuki 添え手突き
10. Shihōgiri 四方切り
11. Sōgiri 総切り
12. Nukiuchi 抜き打ち

Katas established in 1969

1. Ipponme - Mae (前): Sensing the intent of an enemy sitting in front, draw swiftly and cut to the temple, followed by a downward cut to win.
2. Nihonme - Ushiro (後ろ): Sensing the intent of an enemy sitting behind, draw swiftly and cut to the temple, followed by a downward cut to win.
3. Sanbonme - Ukenagashi (受け流し): Block with the back of the blade against an enemy on the left who attacks suddenly, followed by a diagonal cut to win.
4. Yonhonme - Tsuka Ate (柄当て): Sensing the intent of two enemies (one in front and one behind), strike the abdomen of the front enemy with the handle, then stab the back enemy, followed by a downward cut to the front enemy to win.
5. Gohonme - Kesagiri (袈裟切り): Cut upward diagonally at an approaching enemy, followed by a reverse diagonal downward cut to win.
6. Ropponme - Morote Zuki (諸手突き): Sensing the intent of three enemies, make a diagonal cut to the first, stab the second, and make downward cuts to the remaining two to win.
7. Nanahonme - Sanpogiri (三方切り): Perceive the intent of three enemies (one in front and two to the sides), draw and cut the right enemy, followed by a downward cut to the left enemy, and then to the front.

Katas established in 1980

1. Happonme - Ganmen Ate (顔面当て): Strike the face of the front enemy, stab the back enemy, and follow with a downward cut to the front enemy to win.
2. Kyuuhonme - Soete Zuki (添え手突き): Cut diagonally at the enemy to the left, and then stab their abdomen with the supporting hand.
3. Jupponme - Shihogiri (四方切り): Perceive the intent of enemies in four directions, strike the right fist of the first, stab the second enemy, and cut down the remaining three in sequence.

Katas established in 2000

4. Juipponme - Sougiri (総切り): Sequentially cut various parts of the enemy (left side of the face, right shoulder, left flank, waist), and finish with a downward cut.
5. Junihonme - Nukiuchi (抜き打ち): Retreat while drawing to evade an enemy’s sudden attack and follow with a downward cut to win.