Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei Iaidō

Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei Iaidō is the ''iaidō'' style of the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF, ''Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei'' or ZNKR). This style of standardised ''iaido'' is also known as ''Seitei Iaido'' (制定 居合道) or ''Zenkenren Iaido'' (全剣連 居合道).Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai, English Version Manual 5th edition, published March 2014, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan.

History

The AJKF was founded in 1952, immediately following the restoration of Japanese independence and the subsequent lift of the ban on martial arts in Japan. To popularise ''iaido'' and to make it easier for ''kendo'' practitioners to learn ''iaido'', an expert committee was established by the AJKF to review the situation. The committee subsequently selected the basic techniques from major ''iaido'' schools to form the curriculum of ''Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido''. In 1969, the AJKF introduced its ''seitei'' curriculum of seven standardised ''iaido kata''.Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai, English Version Manual 5th edition, published March 2014, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan. These were drawn from elements of the major sword schools, including Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū, Musō Shinden-ryū and Hoki-ryū. Three more ''kata'' were added in 1981 and two more in 2000, increasing the number of seitei ''iaido kata'' to the current twelve. These ''kata'' are officially known as the , or ''Zen Ken Ren Iai'' (全剣連居合) and commonly referred to as ''seitei'' or ''seitei-gata.''Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai, English Version Manual 5th edition, published March 2014, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan.

The twelve ''seitei-gata'' are standardised for the tuition, promotion and propagation of iaido within the ''kendo'' federations. Although not all ''kendo dojo'' teach ''seitei iaido'', the AJKF uses them as a standard for their exams and ''shiai''. As a result, ''seitei iaido'' has become the most widely recognised form of ''iaido'' in Japan and the rest of the world.Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai, English Version Manual 5th edition, published March 2014, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan.

Seitei iaido by AJKF

Dojo that are affiliated with the All Japan Kendo Federation, generally begin practice with these twelve forms or ''seitei-gata'' before going on to teach any 'classical' forms of ''iaidō'' that may also be included in their curriculum.Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai, English Version Manual 5th edition, published March 2014, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan.

#. Front. Commencing from a kneeling position, forestalling a frontal attack.
#. Rear. Commencing from a kneeling position, forestalling an attack from the rear.
# Receive, Parry and Cut. Commencing from a kneeling position, parrying an attack from the left.
#. Striking with the Hilt. Commencing from a raised knee, seated position, forestalling two attackers, front and rear.
#. Diagonal Cut. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling an approaching attacker.
#. Two-Hand Thrust. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling three approaching attackers, two in front and one behind.
#. Three Direction Cut. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling three approaching attackers, one each to the right, left and front.
#. Hit to the Face. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling two approaching attackers, front and rear.
#. Joined Hand Thrust. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling an attack from the left.
#. Four Direction Cutting. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling four approaching attackers.
#. Complete Cuts. Five different and complete cuts. Commencing from a standing position.
#. Sudden Draw. Avoid, then respond to an attack from the front. Commencing from a standing position.

See also

*Battōjutsu
*Kenjutsu
*Kendō

Notes and references

Further reading

*"Art of Japanese Swordsmanship : A Manual of Eishin-Ryu Iaido". Publisher: Weatherhill; 1 edition (Jun 1 1994).
*"Japanese Swordsmanship : Technique and practice". By Gordon Warner & Donn F. Draeger. Publisher: Weatherhill; 1982.
*"Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai 2014". English Version Manual, 5th edition, published March 2014, by All Japan Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan.

External links

All Japan Kendo Federation
(AJKF/ZNKR).
International Kendo Federation
(FIK).

{{Martial arts

Dō
Japanese swordsmanship
Iaido
Kendo