Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iaido is the iaidō

Iaido

is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...

 style of the All Japan Kendo Federation

All Japan Kendo Federation

The All Japan Kendo Federation or Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei is a non-governmental organization to promote and popularize kendō, iaidō and jōdō. The federation was founded in 1952....

 (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).
There are many schools of iaido

Iaido

is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...

and many forms of kata

Kata

is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....

. To popularise iaido and to make it easier for kendo

Kendo

, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...

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.
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. In 1969, the AJKF introduced its seitei curriculum of seven iaido kata. These were drawn from or based on several of the major traditional sword schools, including Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū

Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu

, is a koryū sword art, and one of the most widely practiced schools of iaijutsu in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back to the sixteenth century....

, Musō Shinden-ryū

Muso Shinden-ryu

is a iaijutsu koryū founded by Nakayama Hakudō , last sōke of the Shimomura branch of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. The term "iaidō" appeared in 1932 and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudō .-Particularities:...

 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.

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.

AJKF official forms

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.

1. . Front. Commencing from a kneeling position, forestalling a frontal attack.
2. . Rear. Commencing from a kneeling position, forestalling an attack from the rear.
3. Receive, Parry
   Parry (fencing)
   A parry is a fencing bladework manoeuvre intended to deflect or block an incoming attack.-Execution:To execute a parry, fencers strike the opponent's foible, or the area near the tip of the blade, with their forte, or the part of the blade near the handle of the sword...
   
    and Cut. Commencing from a kneeling position, parrying an attack from the left.
4. . Striking with the Hilt
   Hilt
   The hilt of a sword is its handle, consisting of a guard,grip and pommel. The guard may contain a crossguard or quillons. A ricasso may also be present, but this is rarely the case...
   
   . Commencing from a raised knee, seated position, forestalling two attackers, front and rear.
5. . Diagonal Cut. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling an approaching attacker.
6. . Two-Hand Thrust. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling three approaching attackers, two in front and one behind.
7. . Three Direction Cut. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling three approaching attackers, one each to the right, left and front.
8. . Hit to the Face. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling two approaching attackers, front and rear.
9. . Joined Hand Thrust. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling an attack from the left.
10. . Four Direction Cutting. Commencing from a standing position, forestalling four approaching attackers.
11. . Complete Cuts. Five different and complete cuts. Commencing from a standing position.
12. . Sudden Draw. Avoid, then respond to an attack from the front. Commencing from a standing position.

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.

External links

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