<<<DETAILED STEP BY STEP VIDEO>>>

PURPOSE

• To teach beginners and students of kendo nidan and below that the basis of kendo is to cut with a real blade.
• To show that the kihon kata can be applied to techniques making it easier to learn waza.
• To make it easier to learn kendo no kata.

FORMAT

Same as for kendo no kata, with different terminology for the two roles. Where kendo no kata has the Uchidachi and Shidachi, the equivalents for kihon kata are Motodachi and Kakarite.

Motodachi and Kakarite are 9 steps apart. Just as in kendo no kata, the two would advance 3 steps to meet at Issoku Itto no Maai with a bokuto [kissaki to kissaki], and retreat 5 steps at the end of each kata.

WHEREAS

Standing posture. Chudan no kamae.
Eye. Maintain eye contact with partner.
Strike. Strike with monouchi within 1⁄4" of target, squeezing the grip with one breath.
Foot movement. Begin Okuriashi and strike with Suriashi.
Voice. Kakarite calls out intended target loudly — "Kote!", "Men!", "Do!", "Tsuki!".
Zanshin. After each strike, Kakarite would take a small step back and zanshin strongly from Chudan no Kamae position.

KIHON KATA

Kihon #1. Men, Kote, Do, Tsuki:

1. Motodachi opens kissaki slightly to the right.
2. Kakarite steps in to hit Men. Takes one small step back to zanshin, and another step to return to the original position.
3. Motodachi raises kissaki slightly up.
4. Kakarite steps in to hit Kote. Takes one small step back to zanshin, and another step to return to the original position.
5. Motodachi opens by raising both arms above the eyes.
6. Kakarite steps in straight to hit Do. Takes one small step back to zanshin, and another step to return to the original position.
7. Motodachi opens by dropping the kissaki slightly to the right.
8. Kakarite steps in to thrust Tsuki, and pulls back slightly.
9. Motodachi takes one step back simultaneously.
10. Kakarite takes one small step back to zanshin, and another step to return to the original position.
11. Motodachi joins in by taking one step forward at the same time as Kakarite's second step.

Kihon #2. Renzoku Waza — Kote-men:

1. Motodachi raises kissaki first slightly up then taking one step back opening slightly to the right.
2. Kakarite steps in to hit Kote and takes another step to hit Men. Takes one small step back to zanshin, and another two steps to return to the original position.
3. Motodachi joins in by taking one step forward at the same time as Kakarite's last step.

Kihon #3. Harai Waza — Harai-men:

1. Kakarite takes one step to execute harai Men.
2. Then takes one small step back to zanshin, and another step to return to the original position.

Kihon #4. Hiki Waza — Hiki-do from Tsubazariai:

1. Kakarite hits Men.
2. Motodachi blocks. The arms of both people are at about shoulder height.
3. Both take half a step in and lower the hands into a tsubazeriai position.
4. Kakarite pushes down, and Motodashi reacts by raising the arms above the head.
5. Kakarite takes one step straight back to hit Do, then a small step back to zanshin.
6. Both Take one step back and assume chudan no kamae position.

Kihon #5. Nuki Waza — Men-nuki-do:

1. Motodachi hits Men.
2. Kakarite steps forward and slightly to the right and hits nuki Do, maintaining eye contact all the time. After striking, Kakarite turns around to face Motodachi.
3. Both take one step back and maintain chudan no kamae position, Kakarite showing zanshin, and both stepping to rotate to their original positions.

Kihon #6. Suriage Waza — Kote-suriage-men:

1. Motodachi steps forward to hit Kote.
2. Kakarite steps back to perform suriage, and immediately steps forward to hit Men. Then takes one small step back to zanshin.
3. Both sides take one step to return to the original position.

Kihon #7. Debana Waza – Debana-kote:

1. Motodachi moves slightly forward (without taking a step) in a gesture to hit Men.
2. Kakarite immediately steps forward to hit small Kote sharply. Then takes one small step back to zanshin, and another step to return to the original position.

Kihon #8. Kaeshi Waza — Men-kaeshi-do:

1. Motodachi steps forward to hit Men.
2. Kakarite moves forward to block and immediately steps forward to the right and hits kaeshi Do, maintaining eye contact all the time.
3. After striking, Kakarite turns around to face Motodachi.
4. Both take one step back and maintain chudan no kamae position, Kakarite showing zanshin, and both stepping to rotate to their original positions.

Kihon #9. Uchi Otoshi Waza — Do-uchi-otoshi-men:

1. Motodachi steps directly forward to hit Do.
2. Kakarite takes one step backward to the left and, using the monouchi portion of his blade, cuts down on Motodachi's bokuto, then one step forward to hit Motodachi's Men.
3. Both take one step back and maintain chudan no kamae position, Kakarite showing zanshin, and both stepping to rotate to their original positions.

At the completion of the 9 kata, both sides sonkyo and take 5 steps back, the reiho being same as for kendo no kata.