Kata
Kata is the practice of set forms practiced in pairs using bokuto. There are 2 sets of kata.
Zen Nihon Kendo no Kata
Kendo no Kata is a study in the principals of sword use and was introduced to provide a link between "Shinai Kendo" and real sword techniques. Adapted from an older kata set used by the Japanese police and from Koryu (old school) Kenjutsu, the kata consists of 7 longsword forms and 3 shortsword against longsword forms.
Kendo no Kata is a study in concepts that elevate good Kendo to great Kendo. At a lower level these concepts include timing, pressure and zanshin. At higher levels concepts include truth, dignity and serenity.
Kendo no Kata is performed between the Uchidachi (Teacher) and the Shidachi (Student).
The Kata are as follows.
Tachi Waza
Ipponme
In the Kamae of Ai-Jodan, Shidachi wins through cutting Men with Sen-Sen-No-Sen by application of nuki waza.
Nihonme
In the Kamae of Ai-Chudan, Shidachi wins through cutting Kote with Sen-Sen-No-Sen by application of nuki waza.
Sanbonme
In the Kamae of Ai-Gedan, Shidachi wins through overpowering the Uchidachi with Sen-Sen-No-Sen by application of tsuki and seme.
 Yohonme
In the In-Yo-No-Kamae, Shidachi wins through cutting Men with Go-No-Sen by application Ai-Uchi and Maki-Kaeshi waza.
Gohonme
In the Kamae of Jodan and Seigan, Shidachi wins through cutting Men with Sen-Sen-No-Sen by application of Suriage waza.
Ropponme
In the Kamae of Chudan and Gedan, Shidachi wins through cutting Kote with Go-No-Sen by application of Suriage waza.
Nanahonme
In the Kamae of Ai-Chudan, Shidachi wins through cutting Do with Go-No-Sen by application of nuki waza.
Kodachi Waza
Ipponme
In the Kamae of Jodan and Seigan Hanmi, Shidachi wins by rushing Uchidachi with a feeling of Irimi and cutting Men with the feeling of Shin and the application of Uke-Nagashi waza.
Nihonme
In the Kamae of Gedan and Chudan Hanmi, Shidachi wins by provoking Uchidachi and cutting Men with the feeling of Gyo and the application of Uke-Nagashi waza
Sanbonme
In the Kamae of Chudan and Gedan, Shidachi wins though controlling and foiling Uchidachi's every attempt with the feeling of So and the application of Suriage, Suri-Otoshi, Suri-Nagashi and Surikomi.
Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho
 This roughly translates as Practice of Fundamental Kendo Techniques with Wooded Sword. These Kata are more commonly known as the new kata, Kihon kata, or Sumi’s Kata. These 9 longsword forms were developed quite recently by a ZNKR panel including Sumi Sensei (8th Dan Hanshi) and is used to teach shinai techniques and relate them to how they would work with a real sword. These Kata help develop an understanding of maai (cutting distance) and hasugi (cutting angle) amongst other things.
Kihon Kata is performed between the Motodachi (Receiver) and the Kakarite (Attacker).
Kihon Kata 1 to 4 are now required for Ikkyu Grading.
All Kihon are performed from the Ai-Chudan position and are as follows:
Kihon Ichi - Men, Kote, Do, Tsuki
Motodachi opens in turn for Kakarite to cut Men, Kote, Do and Tsuki
Kihon Ni - Kote-Men
Motodachi opens for Kakarite to cut Kote, and controlling the Maai in response to Kakarite's pressure opens for Kakarite to cut Men.
Kihon San - Suriage-Men
Motodachi Holds Center and Kakarite cuts Men through the application of Shikake Suriage waza.
Kihon Shi - Men-Tsubazerai-Hiki-Do
Motodachi blocks Kakarite's Men cut and both enter into fully developed tsubazerai. Kakarite breaks Motodachi form and cuts Hiki-Do.
Kihon Go - Men-Nuki Do
Kakarite foils Motodachi's Men cut and cuts Do through the application of Nuki waza.
Kihon Roku - Kote-Suriage-Men
Kakarite foils Motodachi's Kote cut and cuts Men through the application of Oji Suriage waza.
Kihon Shichi - Debana Kote
Kakarite cuts Kote as Motodachi's attack begins to develop.
Kihon Hachi - Men-Kaeshi-Do
Kakarite foils Motodachi's Men cut and cuts Do through the application of Kaeshi waza.
Kihon Kyu - Do-Uchi-Otoshi-Men
Kakarite foils Motodachi's Do cut and cuts Men through the application of Uchi-Otoshi waza. | 
