All Japan Kendō Federation Iaidō - Seitei Iaidō
全日本剣道連盟居合道 - 制定居合道
Introduction to Seitei Iaidō
制定居合道 (Seitei Iaidō) are techniques/kata used by the 全日本剣道連盟 (Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei : All Japan Kendō Federation), also known as the ZNKR, as standard kata to judge the ability of 剣士 (Kenshi : Swordmen/women). There are a lot of different schools that have different sets of 古流 (koryū) techniques, but unless you know that particular school’s move set then you may not be able to judge whether they are performing competently or not.
The seitei techniques were introduced in iaidō schools under the ZNKR to allow practitioners from different schools to be able to compete with each other on a level playing field. In many tournaments and gradings (in Japan) a mixture of koryū techniques (to show the character of the individual school) and seitei techniques (benchmark techniques that all judges can understand) are used for judging. In my experience with events like these, the standard is usually one or two koryū techniques plus three or four seitei techniques (five in total).
Introduction to this resource
A while ago I started a project to record videos of each of the seitei kata. I’m currently a 4th dan in iaidō from a 夢想神伝流 (Musō Shinden Ryū) school, so please keep that in mind when looking at the videos I posted below. (My 納刀 (nōtō : sheathing) technique is horizontal due to my school).
I learned all of my iaidō in Japan from my teachers and using Japanese material. Resources friendly to English speakers seem scarce so I put this article together as a supplemental reference. My technique demonstrations should be reviewed as reminders of the form of the technique, and not as an example of perfect form (because my technique is far from perfect).
Note that the descriptions of the techniques/kata below are based largely on my translations of the 全日本剣道連盟居合（解説）(Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei Iai (Kaisetsu)), which is basically the core training manual I’ve been using since I started training. An official English version of this manual does exist, but I’ve never used it. If you want the official translations I recommend tracking down this manual.
The techniques/kata
一本目前 : Ippon me - Mae (One - Front)
There is an opponent sitting in front of you. When you feel the threat* from your opponent cut them across the eyes (at the level of the こめかみ (komekami : temple) and then cut straight downwards to finish.
*Note: This is written in Japanese as 敵の殺気を感じ (teki no sakki wo kanji), which can be translated as “feeling the murderous intent of your enemy.” Threat is shorter.
二本目後ろ : Nihon me - Ushiro (Two - Behind)
There is an opponent sitting behind you. Like the previous technique, when you feel the threat, turn and cut them across the eyes then downwards to finish. After you turn the technique is very similar to Mae.
三本目受け流し : Sanbon Me - Ukenagashi (Three - Turn Aside)
An opponent approaches you from the left. Stand suddenly and turn your opponents strike aside with the 鎬 (shinogi : thickest part of the sword), then cut them down using a diagonal strike.
Note: 受け流し (ukenagashi) literally translates as ‘receive and flow’. Receive the strike and let it flow past.
四本目柄当て : Yonhon me - Tsuka ate (Four - Hilt Strike)
While sitting in 立膝 (tatehiza), feel the threat of opponents both in front and behind. First, drive the 柄頭 (tukagashira : end of the hilt) of your sword into the 水月 (suigetsu : solar plexus) of your first opponent. Draw the blade and stab into the suigetsu of the opponent behind you. Finish the first opponent with a downward cut.
五本目袈裟切り : Gohon Me - Kesagiri (Five - Diagonal/Kesa Cut)
As you walk forwards an enemy in front of you raises their sword to strike you. Raising your sword, cut along the 逆袈裟** (gyaku kesa : reverse kesa) before turning the sword and cutting down diagonally across the same line to finish your opponent.
**Note : 袈裟 (Kesa) is a style of clothing often worn by monks that go diagonally across the body. A 袈裟切り (kesagiri) is a cut that follows the diagonal line of this clothing.
六本目諸手突き : Roppon Me - Morote Dzuki (Six - Thrust With Both Hands)
There are three threats both in front and behind you. First, cut the opponent diagonally across the face as you draw, then take the hilt with both hands and stab your opponent in the suigetsu. Turn the cut down an opponent approaching from behind you with a downward cut. Turn again then cut down another opponent approaching you from where the first opponent stood using a downward cut.
七本目三方切り : Nanahon Me - Sanpō Giri (Seven - Three Direction Cut)
There are threats in front of you, and to the right and left. Walk forward and move as if you will draw to the front (to make the first opponent hesitate), then draw and strike your opponent to the right. Immediately turn and cut the opponent to the left side with a downward cut. Return to the front and finish the opponent to the front with a downward cut.
八本目顔面当て : Hachihon Me - Ganmen Ate (Eight - Face Strike)
There are two threats, in front and behind. First, strike the opponent in front of you (between the eyes) using the hilt. Turn, then stab the second opponent in the suigetsu. Turn back to your first opponent and finish them with a downward cut.
九本目添え手突き : Kyūhon Me - Soete dzuki (Nine - Thrust With The Hand)
As you walk forward you feel a threat from an opponent on the left. Turn and cut your opponent on the draw using a kesa cut. Use your left hand to steady the blade and step forward doing an augmented thrust into your opponents gut.
十本目四方切り : Juppon Me - Shihō Giri (Ten - Four Direction Cut)
As you move forward there are four opponents around you (in an X shape). Move as though you would cut the first opponent, then instead change to hit your opponents hand with the hit to prevent them drawing their sword (diagonal right, front). Draw your sword then stab your opponent in the suigetsu (diagonal left, behind). Turn and cut your first opponent with a vertical cut. Then cut the remaining opponents with a vertical cut at the other points of the X shape.
十一本目総切り : Jūippon Me - Sougiri (Eleven - General/Total Cut)
There is a single opponent in front of you. Cut them diagonally down the face, pull the sword back along the same line, cut down to your opponents chest, pull back then cut to your opponents belly button, pull back then do a horizontal cut, finish with a downward cut. Yes this is overkill but the focus is on targeting the different areas.
十二本目抜き打ち : Jūnihon Me - Nukiuchi (Twelve - Draw and Attack)
You are facing an opponent. Suddenly they aim a cut at you so you move back while drawing to both evade and block the incoming cut, then immediately move forward and finish your opponent with a downward cut.
In closing
The above 12 videos are demonstrations of the ZNKR Seitei Iaidō techniques. The techniques performed by me were done to demonstrate the movements of the kata and not done to show perfect examples of each kata. There are many higher level practitioners out there that are able to perform these techniques much more proficiently than me. I wanted to demonstrate these videos and add some basic explanations for the intent of each of the kata to be used as a resource for current iaidō practitioners and those interested in iaidō.
Note that there is no substitute for a good iaidō teacher. If you want to learn iaidō please do so at a dōjo with an experienced instructor.
Happy training.
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Osu!
Anthony