[Sipewrio]

Which ryuu do the kata come from?

The evolutionary process by which we arrived to our present day set of compulsory patterns of etiquette, movement, and technique execution, or �gNippon Kendo Kata�h is a huge subject, influenced by many institutions and individuals. It is perhaps beyond the scope of a forum response, (surely beyond that of my lunch break,) and probably more fitting as a book in its own right.

In brief, a small outline of the information I have regarding the development of the Kata: In premodern Japan (prior to 1868,) kenjutsu was not a single system, but rather a variety of proprietary schools, or ryuu, and branch schools, ryuuha. By the end of the Edo period, literally hundreds of schools existed in Tokyo, alone. Each school had its own system of kata, encompassing that school�fs theory, pattern of etiquette, and techniques.

The arrival of Commodore Perry and his �gBlack Ships�h to Japan in 1853 broke a long period of isolationism. The military government, or Bakufu, responded to the new foreign threat by forming a military academy in 1855, the Kobusho, in order to create a curriculum of military, or bujutsu, study. With this development, the first steps were made toward forming uniform standards and teaching curriculum. At that time, the cadre taught according to their respective ryuuha; however, and we can see the steps toward unification of styles in the standardization of shinai length to 3 shaku, 8 sun. Until this point there had been no limitations. Kata was not emphasized as much as the more �gpractical�h free combat, shinai training. �gSecret techniques�h and each system�fs methods were put to use in front of all participants and the cloud of mystery separating the various schools began to vaporize. Standardization of shinai, protective equipment, and training methods served to diminish disparity in the different ryuu and to promote a more generalized approach to sword combat. This period did not last long; however, and by 1868 rule of Japan reverted from the Bakufu, back to the Emperor. For some time, the new Meiji government in its rush towards western style modernization, decided to forgo the classical bujutsu in favor of a western-style police and army of rifle-bearing conscripts. The traditional arts went into a winter, so to speak. By 1876 the feudal system of Japan was being dismantled, and the wearing of swords in public forbidden. Ironically, a group of men who were responsible for restoration of the Emperor, samurai who had never intended for the destruction of the four class social system of samurai, farmer, artisan, and merchant, revolted. The ensuing Satsuma Rebellion which culminated with the Battle of Kumamoto Castle in 1877, was, as well as with rifle and cannon, settled by sword and spear. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police (TMP), citing this example, was successful in resurrecting the classical arts, as necessary for suppressing insurrection. From 1879, a bujutsu curriculum was implemented by TMP for the training of their officers. As some did not have prior training, a single curriculum was required in order that instruction could be conducted institutionally, by a number of different instructors, at different locations, and times. TMP assembled leading teachers of the time, each representing different ryuuha, to develop the curriculum and conduct training of a cadre of instructors. Included at that time were the Asayama-ryuu, Hokushin itto-ryuu, Hozan-ryuu, Jigen-ryuu, Jikishin Kage-ryuu, Kyoushin Meichi-ryuu, Kurama-ryuu, Munen-ryuu, Risshin-ryuu, and Yagyu-ryuu, It was decided at this time that a set of seven long sword kata, and three employing a short sword would be selected. At the time of establishing a single set of kata, each teacher, of course wanted his ryuu to be represented.

The classical arts once again gained favor, and due to the international political climate at the time, importance. The Society for the Promotion of Martial Virtue, or Dai Nippon Butokukai was formed in 1895. Subsequently, the society established a martial arts instructor�fs school, the Bujutsu Kyouin Youseisho, in 1906. That school evolved into the very influential Budo Specialization School, or Budo Senmon Gakkou, in 1908. The Specialization School in Kyoto, commonly referred to as the Kyo-Bu-Sen, provided year after year Budo instructors who would go on to teach based on a uniform curriculum. The work of interpretation and development of the kata continued on under the stewardship and influence of these two related institutions. Representatives of the various ryuu still differed on the kata, and pressed for more representation of their school�fs elements. By 1911, a kendo curriculum was introduced to the public school system. To avoid favoring one approach over another, further changes were made, a more generalized approach to the initial steps to enter to, and withdraw from the individual kata were developed, and the kata took on a more generic appearance, possessing only the elemental aspects of the specific techniques. By the 1920�fs and 30�fs we see a kata very similar to that which we practice today. The kata stress a pattern of etiquette, sword handling, eye contact, interval between opponents, breath control, and are representative of the important elements and execution of the various techniques. In 1952, the All Japan Kendo Federation, or Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei, was formed. Once again experts were called upon to interpret and revise the kata, and to ensure the uniform manner in which the Nippon Kendo Kata will be performed. This work continues on to this day.

Present day Nippon Kendo Kata is an evolved system, and is said to not represent wholly the kata any one rhuuha, as had the various proto-versions. It is purposefully intended to be universally representative of the fundamental principles of the Japanese sword and its use.

I did not respond adequately as to which ryuuha and corresponding kata were used to develop the early sets. Also, quite significant to all this are the many important personalities that affected the evolution of the kata. However, I hope that this rough outline will serve as a base for (our) continuing study.

Why are there kodachi kata when it isn´t allowed to use only the short sword in shiai?

I do not have any data regarding this; however, we can infer that the influences that affected the development of modern kendo contributed to greater uniformity in instruction and practice. In parallel we can see the disappearance of the spear as a common side arm in the move toward forming a modern police and army. The fashion of carrying a short sword ended with the deconstruction of the 4-tiered, feudal society in 1876. Perhaps it is simply the predominance of long sword practice and use, rather than a subordination of the short sword that led to this trend.

If you examine Japanese bayonet fighting, jukendo, and its accompanying hand-held bayonet fighting system, tankendo, you can see technical execution derived from short sword use. I�fll defer on these matters to some English-speaking experts, Meik S. in the US, Steve, K. in the UK, a researcher with broad ranging knowledge of the classical bujutsu, Mr. Liam K, in Australia, and another person who has done research on the jukendo/tankendo, Daniel Z., also in the US. Please let me appeal to them directly for their comments.

If any other forum members have data on this matter, we would surely appreciate your illumination on this subject.

Why are there no nito kata?

I have no data but can only infer that the predominance of one-sword systems was far and above overwhelming in proportion as compared to the few two-sword schools. Again, I defer to other members for their input.

How often should one train kata?

Considering the great lessons we can glean from practicing the kata, I would recommend it be a part of each person�fs regular regimen. I think most veteran students and all teachers will agree: the more one studies the kata, the more meaningful and beneficial they become.

And finally: anyone got any info about the new kata? Will the new kata replace the old ones? How many new will there be? When will they be introduced? All I know is that they will be more adapted to modern shinai kendo.

As far as I know, that program has either been cancelled, or suspended for the moment. At least one of the reasons being: The original kata represent the principles of the sword. They are technical, theoretical, and historical. The implementation of kata that contained elements in conflict with the true principles of the use of the Japanese sword would be contradictory. For example, in the use of �elive blades,�f ni-dan waza such as kote-men combination do not exist. Tsubazeri-ai and hiki-men are as well developments of modern shinai-kendo only. I think we can all see the paradox of ritualizing techniques in the form of kata, that are in conflict with the fundamental principles of the real sword. One of the purposes of the original kata is also to preserve. I believe that those patterns that are specific to shinai-kendo are being left to the present, common, patterns of practice, such as basic uchi-komi practice, and so forth.

Again, we will all greatly appreciate it if any other forum members can contribute data or news concerning this subject.

I want to know everything!

I hope we will all work together towards this goal. There is yet a vast amount of material to research, translate, and formulate into coherent texts. I offer my gratitude to Dr. Bennett and Mr. Robison for providing a common base for our exchange and studies, in the form of Kendo World. I hope everyone in the global kendo community will take advantage of, and contribute to this important new step in the evolution of international Kendo.