Disclaimer: these kata descriptions are the authors own interpretations of the patterns are based on the AJJF videos and the written descriptions from Kendo World articles. Some of the terminology may not be 100% accurate but is intended more to help in visualise positioning based on basic strike knowledge. Any errors lie with the author and not with Jukendo.World.
Useful terminology
Ma-ai: distance between opponents
Irimi: moving into opponents space past standard ma-ai
Harai: deflection
Suriage: defensive harai/deflection going forward, where the attack was coaxed and so is not so much a knee-jerk reaction
In Baptiste’s article (KW, 2011, vol. 5-4, pp. 92-99), he reminds us that within the eight tanken kata there are two ‘sets’ – one through five covers basic techniques while six through eight involve irimi techniques that involve entering into your partner’s space, immobilising or controlling their weapon/arm and then completing with a thrust to the torso. Kendo World still have this article available on their WordPress site so it’s worth seeing the original with photos of the tanken tai tanken kata and kamae. You can also view a video from the All Japan Jukendo Federation covering all the kata except number three which wasn’t an official pattern at that stage. It later became number three and four through seven went up a number.
The four basic stances for tankendo are:
Chudan no kamae: standard kamae when entering into partner work. Right foot forward, hips and shoulders mostly face-on to partner but with left side drawn slightly back. Left hand sits back on the left hip, elbow tucked in. Right hand is extended in front of the body and over towards your centre around waist height, with tanken tip pointing towards opponents eye line.
Chudan irimi no kamae: From chudan no kamae, top of body angles forward more in an aggressive posture as the right hand raises slightly.
Gedan no kamae: From chudan no kamae, the right wrist angles downward towards opponents knee height.
Jodan no kamae: From chudan no kamae, the right arm is raised overhead, elbow bent, with tanken aligned directly over centre of your own head.
Each kata is broken up into two parts – the longer, more detailed version and the ‘Too Long, Didn’t Read’ (TLDR) version which just notes the key points. The detailed section has two paragraphs – the first is the key techniques of the kata, the second paragraph is covers the closing of the kata and are identical.
For each tanken tai tanken kata start each one eight steps away from each other.
Number 1: Ipponme: Nodo no tsuki
Both begin in chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai,Uchi makes a small movement as if to thrust (tanken actually angles out to the right) and Shi takes the initiative to step in and strike at the throat (nodo). Shi takes a large step back, drawing tanken back strongly. Shi makes small step forward (zanshin), kissaki is pointed at uchi’s wrist.
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise tanken together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Both in chudan. 3 steps in, Uchi opens right, Shi = nodo. Shi = Draw Back. Shi = Zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 2: Nihonme: Men no uchi
Uchi begins in gedan-no-kamae, Shi in chudan irimi no kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Shi takes the initiative to step in, draw tanken over head (jodan) and strike at head (men). Shi draws tanken down past Uchi’s eyes (remaining a threat). As kissaki (the tip) reaches the chin, Shi makes small step forward (zanshin) while Uchi retreats keeping time, Shi’s kissaki stopping at Uchi’s throat.
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise tanken together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Uchi gedan, Shi chudan irimi. 3 steps in, Shi = men. Shi = draw down to throat, stepping in / Uchi retreats. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 3: Sanbonme: Kote no uchi
Uchi begins in gedan-no-kamae, Shi in chudan irimi no kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Uchi shortens last step to stay just outside of ma-ai. Shi takes the initiative react with a seme (pressure feint) at Uchi’s throat (nodo) while Uchi reacts with a small movement from right to left with their tanken to deflect what they anticipate to be a nodo strike and thereby opens up their kote. Shi steps in and strikes kote. Shi makes small step forward (zanshin) bringing tip of tanken to Uchi’s throat while Uchi retreats at the same time. Shi makes an alert and cautious withdrawal keeping tanken in a threatening position pointed at Uchi.
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise tanken together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Uchi gedan, Shi chudan irimi. 3 steps in, Uchi short. Shi = seme feint to nodo / Uchi deflect left. Shi = kote. Shi = step in to threaten nodo / Uchi retreat. Shi = alert withdrawal. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 4: Yonhonme: Nodo no harai-zuki
Both begin in chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Uchi initiates to thrust nodo while Shi evades by moving to the right and performs uchi harai by deflecting the thrust down and to Shi’s left leaving Uchi open to attack. Shi then thrusts nodo. Shi takes a large step back, drawing tanken back strongly. Shi makes small step forward (zanshin), kissaki is pointed at uchi’s wrist.
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise tanken together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Both chudan. 3 steps in, Uchi = nodo / Shi = evade right, harai left, nodo. Shi = Draw Back. Shi = Zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 5: Gohonme: Men wo harai men-uchi
Uchi begins in jodan-no-kamae, Shi in chudan-irimi-no-kamae with blade directed at Uchi’s right wrist. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Uchi initiates to strike men, while Shi deflects their blade (suriage) by raising up into jodan and then cutting down with a men strike. Shi draws tanken down past Uchi’s eyes (remaining a threat). As kissaki (the tip) reaches the chin, Shi makes small step backward (zanshin) and takes arm back up into jodan-no-kamae.
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise tanken together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Uchi jodan, Shi irimi at uchi right wrist.. 3 steps in, Uchi = men / Shi = deflect up, men. Shi = draw down to throat, step back into jodan (zanshin). Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 6: Ropponme: Irimi setai-zuki
Both begin in chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Shi steps in to close distance and attempts to force Uchi’s tanken to the right. Uchi evades with a step backwards and then immediately makes a thrust to the torso (do) which Shi avoids by pushing Uchi’s tanken to the left, grabbing Uchi’s right elbow/keikogi and pushing it down and out (leaving Uchi wide open) to break their balance. Shi then thrusts at the torso (do). Shi makes an alert and cautious withdrawal keeping tanken in a threatening position pointed at Uchi’s throat.
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise tanken together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Both chudan. 3 steps in, Shi = advance, push right / Uchi evade backward. Uchi = do / Shi = deflect left, grab right elbow, break balance. Shi = Do, alert retreat. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 7: Nanahonme: Tai wo hiraite okonau seitai do no tsuki
Both begin in gedan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Shi steps in to close distance and attempts to force Uchi’s tanken to the left. Uchi evades with a step backwards and then immediately makes a thrust to the torso (do) which Shi avoids by pushing Uchi’s tanken to the right and then stepping in on Uchi’s right side and bringing their left arm up under Uchi’s right elbow and locking Uchi’s arm between Shi’s body and left arm. Shi then thrusts at the torso (do). Shi makes an alert and cautious withdrawal keeping tanken in a threatening position pointed at Uchi’s throat.
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise tanken together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Both gedan. 3 steps in, Shi = advance, push left / Uchi evade backward. Uchi = do / Shi = deflect right, step in on Uchi right, lock with elbow into body. Shi = Do, alert retreat. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 8: Hachihonme: Men uchi ni taisuru seitai-zuki
Uchi begins in gedan-no-kamae, Shi in chudan-irimi-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Shi steps in to close distance and attempts to force Uchi’s tanken to the down. Uchi evades with a step backwards and then immediately goes into jodan-no-kamae and makes a strike at Shi’s head (men) strike which Shi stops before it completes by moving in and using their bayonet to block against Uchi’s raised right forearm. Shi then uses left hand to grab Uchi’s raised right arm at the elbow and forces it back, breaking their balance. Shi then thrusts at the torso (do). Shi makes an alert and cautious withdrawal keeping tanken in a threatening position pointed at Uchi’s throat.
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise tanken together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Uchi gedan, Shi irimi. 3 steps in, Shi = advance, push down / Uchi evade backward, jodan. Uchi = men / Shi = bayonet forearm block, left arm immobilise Uchi arm . Shi = Do, alert retreat. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
*This is an ongoing set of guides started by Emily Jackman who helps to manage and create the videos for Jukendo.World. She also runs the Jukendo Melbourne group, the Victorian Naginata Renmei and is the current Vice-President of the Australian Naginata Federation. In addition to atarashii naginata and jukendo, she is also studying Toda Ha Buko Ryu under the guidance of Keeley-sensei.
These guides are also available on the Jukendo Melbourne Facebook page as works in progress.*
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