List of Iaido Katas

The Japanese martial arts of Iaido relies heavily on katas (forms) in order to teach basic movements and striking techniques. There are 12 Seitei Iaido Katas (4 sitting katas and 8 standing katas).

If you are searching for information on other katas (i.e. Kendo), please visit the main Katas section.

Seitei Iaido Katas

• Iaido Kata - Mae (or Iaido kata 1) - a sitting kata
• Iaido Kata - Ushiro (or Iaido kata 2) - a sitting kata
• Iaido Kata - Uke Nagashi (or Iaido kata 3) - a sitting kata
• Iaido Kata - Tsuka Ate (or Iaido kata 4) - a sitting kata
• Iaido Kata - Kesa Giri (or Iaido kata 5) - A standing Iaido kata
• Iaido Kata - Morote Tsuki (or Iaido kata 6) - A standing Iaido kata
• Iaido Kata - Sanpou Giri (or Iaido kata 7) - A standing Iaido kata
• Iaido Kata - Ganmen Ate (or Iaido kata 8) - A standing Iaido kata
• Iaido Kata - Soete Tsuki (or Iaido kata 9) - A standing Iaido kata
• Iaido Kata - Shiho Giri (or Iaido kata 10) - A standing Iaido kata
• Iaido Kata - So Giri (or Iaido kata 11) - A standing Iaido kata
• Iaido Kata - Nuki Uchi (or Iaido kata 12) - A standing Iaido kata

Katas to perform when grading to:

• 6th Kyu - Kata's 1 & 2
• 5th Kyu - Kata's 3 & 4
• 4th Kyu - Kata's 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6
• 3rd Kyu - Kata's 1,3,5,7,8

Fifty percent of your grading relies on your bow in and out. These include a standing Rae and a kneeling bow at the start and kneeling bow followed by standing Rae at the end. As you get higher in grade these carry more weight so if you were going for 2nd Kyu and above and you forgot the first standing Rae or the Rae at the end it would be an automatic fail. Showing the balls of your feet at a black belt level also would result in an automatic fail. Each kata is worth about 10 points.

References

1. Northern California Iaido Association, About Iaido, http://www.nckf.org/Iaido/AboutIaido.htm, Added - 10/26/14