Kata descriptions

Here are some detailed kata descriptions with photos and movies, and printer friendly pdf versions.

Bo no Kata

This 2-person kata consists of uses the bo to defend and attack.

Tori (on the right of the sensei) and uke (on the left) stand facing each other at the edge of the mat. The bo is held vertically in the right hand with the bo in front of the arm (about 2/3 down the bo with the thumb down and palm facing forward). Both turn to face sensei and rei, then face each other and rei. Each take a step forward with their left leg, then a step to their right. Both walk forward leading with their left leg until approx 6’ apart. With feet together, the bo is then transferred to the front of the body (thumb up) and swept up to be held in both hands (right palm up, left palm down). At the same time each step to the left into a deep kiba-dachi to end up facing each other.

The kata ends with a reverse of the beginning steps.

Glossary:
• kiba-dachi = horse stance
• zenkutsu-dachi = forward stance
• yoi = guard stance (there are forward and reverse versions in this kata)

Movie of entire kata.

See below for a pdf version for offline viewing and improved printing.

First Set


Uke (Left): Step right foot forward into forward stance and high spear strike with right end of bo.	Uke: Step right foot back into forward stance and low block with left end of bo.	Uke: Step left foot back into forward stance and high block with right end of bo.
Tori (Right): Step left foot back into horse stance and inside curling block with right end of bo.	Tori: Step left foot forward into forward stance and low strike with left end of bo.	Tori: Step right foot forward into forward stance and high strike with right end of bo.

Uke: Step left foot forward into forward stance and rising strike with left end of bo.	Uke: Step right foot forward into forward stance and downward strike with right end of bo.	Uke: Without stepping, start to retract bo.
Tori: Step right foot back into forward stance and downward block with centre of bo.	Tori: Step left foot back into forward stance and rising block with centre of bo.	Tori: Push upward with centre of bo.

Uke: Complete retraction of bo then high spear strike with right end of bo – kiai.	Uke: Step right foot back and bring right end of bo to right shoulder into guard stance.	Uke: Walk 90° counter clockwise facing inwards (as though circling an opponent). Reverse yoi stance.
Tori: Retreat right foot into horse stance, holding bo above body at a downwards diagonal (defensive posture).	Tori: Step left foot back and drop right end of bo down into guard stance.	Tori: Walk 90°counter clockwise facing inwards (as though circling an opponent). Forward yoi stance.

Second Set


Uke (Right): Complete 90° counter clockwise walk.	Uke: Step right foot forward into forward stance and side strike with right end of bo.	Uke: Step left foot forward into forward stance and side strike with left end of bo.
Tori (Left): Complete 90° counter clockwise walk.	Tori: Step right foot back into horse stance and side block to the left side with centre of bo.	Tori: Step left foot back into horse stance and side block to the right with centre of bo.

Uke: Step left foot back into horse stance and high block across body with right end of bo.	Uke: Without stepping, shift into forward stance and low cross strike with right end of bo.	Uke: contd.
Tori: Step left foot forward into forward stance and high jab strike with left end of bo.	Tori: Step left foot back into horse stance and low block across body with right end of bo.	Tori: contd.

Uke: Retreat right foot into horse stance, holding bo above body at a downwards diagonal (defensive posture).	Uke: Step left foot back and drop right end of bo down (forward yoi stance).	Uke: Walk 180° clockwise facing inwards.
Tori: Without stepping, shift into forward stance and high spear strike with right end of bo - kiai.	Tori: Step right foot back and bring right end of bo to right shoulder (reverse yoi stance).	Tori: Walk 180° clockwise facing inwards.

Third Set


Uke (Left): Complete 180° clockwise walk.	Uke: Step left foot forward into forward stance and side strike with left end of bo.	Uke: Without stepping, downward strike with right end of bo.
Tori (Right): Complete 180° clockwise walk.	Tori: Step left foot back into horse stance and side block to the right with centre of bo.	Tori: Without stepping, shift into forward stance and rising block with centre of bo.

Uke: Bo is forced to ground.	Uke: Shuffle back into horse stance, holding bo above body at a downwards diagonal (defensive posture).	Uke: Step right foot forward into forward stance and start high sliding spear strike with right end of bo.
Tori: Without stepping, shift back into horse stance and bring right end of bo down towards the ground on the left side.	Tori: Retreat right foot into horse stance, holding bo above body at a downwards diagonal (defensive posture).	Tori: Step left foot back into forward stance and drop left knee to the ground; slide right hand to right end of bo, left hand to centre of bo.

Uke: Continue high sliding spear strike with right end of bo – *kiai*.	Uke: Step right foot back, sliding hands back in place, and bring right end of bo to right shoulder (reverse yoi stance)	Uke: Walk 90° counter clockwise facing inwards. Complete kata by reversing initial moves.
Tori: Side strike with left end of bo – *kiai*.	Tori: Stand up while stepping right foot back, sliding left hand back in place, then step left foot back, sliding right hand in place, and drop right end of bo down into forward yoi stance.	Tori: Walk 90° counter clockwise facing inwards. Complete kata by reversing initial moves.

Goshin Jitsu no Kata

This kata is a relatively modern kata, having been created in 1956. It consists of 21 techniques against an unarmed as well as armed attacker. It is divided into 2 unarmed sets and 3 sets with weapons. The first 7 techniques are against an attack close in. The next five are against attacks from strikes and kicks. Then there are three attacks with a knife, three with a stick and three with a gun. While the actions are controlled, so that the attacker is not hurt, the defender's actions can easily be modified to disable the attacker. It is important to realize that all of the techniques in this kata are consistent with the principle of "jiu", the principle of gentleness or yielding.

Album with movies of the kata.

See below for a pdf version for offline viewing and improved printing.

Ken no Kata (1 person - A)

There are a number of 1 person Ken no Kata. Here is one example.

Movie of the kata.

See below for a printer friendly description of this kata.


Walk to the centre of the mat, facing the sensei, kneel into seiza and perform a rei.	Step up onto your right foot (left knee on the ground), drawing your sword …	… as if cutting an opponent horizontally across the stomach.

Stand upright, feet together, turning the sword to prepare for a downward diagonal strike, bringing your left hand to also grip the sword.	Step your right foot forward and bring the sword across your body in a downward diagonal motion, …	… as if cutting an opponent from collarbone to hip.

Step your right foot back and bring the sword across your body …	… as if cutting an opponent horizontally across the stomach, once again …	... contd.

Slide your left foot back to bring your feet square, bringing the sword across your body and up into the guard position, holding the sword with your right hand only.	Bring the sword down across the front of your body in a swift motion - to shake off the blood.	Re-sheath the sword…

… contd …	… contd …	… contd …

Kneel and rei.