Learn Kendo Kata 1 (Ippon-me) - Video & Written Instructions

This page provides details for Kendo kata 1 (Ippon-me). We have provided video and/or written instructions to help you master this kata.

See the bottom of the page for step-by-step written instructions for this Kendo kata.

For additional kata instruction, please visit the main Kendo Katas section.

Written Instructions for Kendo Kata 1

• Uchidachi: two-handed hidari (left) jodan position
• Shidachi: two-handed migi (right) jodan position.
• The Uchidachi begins on the left foot and the Shidachi on the right foot; both advance three big steps
• Seeing a chance to act, the Uchidachi advances his right foot and delivers a cut to the shomen of the Shidachi.
• Stepping slightly backward on the left foot, the Shidachi retracts his hands and evades the sword of the Uchidachi.
• The Shidachi delivers a cut to the Shomen of the Uchidachi.
• Lowering the tip of his sword to a gedan position, the Uchidachi takes one step backward on the left foot.
• The Shidachi takes one step forward on his left foot as he holds the point of his sword at the center of the face of the Uchidachi.
• The Uchidachi takes one step to the rear.
• Maintaining the spiritual and physical drive (zanshin) of his actions to the end, the Shidachi brings both hands to the hidari jodan position.
• The Uchidachi will slowly raise his kensen from the gedan position to the chudan position.
• At the same time the Shidachi will draw back his left foot and lower the hidari jodan position to assume the chudan position.
• Both break the chudan positions by lowering the tips of their swords, which are placed to point diagnonally leftward.
• Beginning on the left foot, each takes five steps to the rear and assumes the chudan position.

References

1. Written kata instruction (1-4) courtesy of Norwalk Kendo Dojo, http://www.eanet.com/norwalk/, Added - 01/29/14
2. All Japan Kendo Federation, http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-top-page.html, Added - 01/29/14