List of Kendo Katas (1 through 10) with Videos & Instructions

Below are instructions and videos for the basic Kendo katas 1 through 10. These pages will help you to master the katas for your next test.

Katas are used in Kendo in order to help students practice certain moves (i.e. strikes) as well as for improving a student's physical conditioning, muscle memory, focus/concentration, balance, etc.

In kata competitions, students are judged on a variety of factors such as accuracy of the kata (i.e. Did they miss a step?), the power of their movements, timing/correct speed of their movements, balance, concentration, etc.

If you are looking for Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-Waza Keiko-Ho, please visit the Kendo Kihon Bokuto Waza section.

Kendo Katas

Kendo Long Sword Katas (Tachi Katas)

1. Kendo Kata 1 (Ippon-me)
2. Kendo Kata 2 (Nihon-me)
3. Kendo Kata 3 (Sanbon-me)
4. Kendo Kata 4 (Yonhon-me)
5. Kendo Kata 5 (Gohon-me)
6. Kendo Kata 6 (Roppon-me)
7. Kendo Kata 7 (Nanahon-me)

Kendo Short Sword Katas (Kodachi Katas)

1. Kendo Kata 8 (Kodachi No Ippon-me)
2. Kendo Kata 9 (Kodachi No Nihon-me)
3. Kendo Kata 10 (Kodachi No Sanbon-me)

References

1. Cleveland Kendo Association, Nihon Kendo Kata, http://www.clevelandkendo.com/kata.htm, Added - 01/09/14
2. Written kata instruction (1-4) courtesy of Norwalk Kendo Dojo, http://www.eanet.com/norwalk/, Added - 01/29/14
3. All Japan Kendo Federation, http://www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-top-page.html, Added - 01/29/14