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.
This is intended only as a rough guide to the mokuju vs tanken kata – it’s still a work in progress and has been compiled from watching several video demonstrations of the kata to try and break down what is occurring as well as referencing from Baptiste Tavernier’s Kendo World article (KW 2010, vol. 5-3). Mokuju ‘wins’ the first three kata while tanken ‘wins’ the second three; because they change who initiates the move, mokuju is Shi and tanken is Uchi for kata 1-3 and reverses for kata 4-6 (tanken is Shi, mokuju Uchi). Therefore, in order to reduce confusion this guide will refer to jukendo-ka or tankendo-ka rather than shikata and uchikata.
Number 1: Ipponme: Chokutotsu – sen
Jukendo-ka starts in gedan-no-kamae, Tankendo-ka in irimi chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Jukendo-ka initiates with omote strike, uchi can provide access with slight movement of tanken tip to the right. Jukendo-ka pulls mokuju strongly back into position as they take a large step back. Jukendo-ka makes small step forward (zanshin).
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps. Both raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Jukendo-ka= Gedan / Tankendo-ka = Irimi chudan. 3 steps in. Jukendo-ka = Omote. Jukendo-ka = Draw Back. Jukendo-ka = Zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 2: Nihonme: Dattotsu – go no sen
Jukendo-ka starts in gedan-no-kamae, Tankendo-ka in irimi chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Tankendo-ka initiates by moving in (irimi) and attempts to control mokuju by pushing it to the right. Jukendo-ka evades this by stepping on a diagonal back and to the right and then makes a strike at Tankendo-ka’s dou. Jukendo-ka pulls mokuju strongly back into position as they take a large step back. Jukendo-ka makes small step forward (zanshin).
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps. Both raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Jukendo-ka = Gedan / Tankendo-ka = Irimi chudan. 3 steps in. Tankendo-ka = step in, pressure to right/ Shi = evade diagonal right back. Jukendo-ka = Omote. Jukendo-ka = Draw Back. Jukendo-ka = Zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 3: Sanbonme: Nodo no tsuki – go no sen
Jukendo-ka starts in gedan-no-kamae, Tankendo-ka in irimi chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Tankendo-ka initiates by moving in (irimi) and attempts to control Jukendo-ka’s mokuju by pushing it down. Jukendo-ka evades this by stepping on a diagonal back and right while withdrawing mokuju down out of way before coming in to make a strike at Tankendo-ka’s nodo. Jukendo-ka pulls mokuju strongly back into position as they take a large step back. Jukendo-ka makes small step forward (zanshin).
Pair moves back to chudan-no-kamae. Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps. Both raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Jukendo-ka = Gedan / Tankendo-ka = Irimi chudan. 3 steps in. Tankendo-ka = step in, pressure down/ Jukendo-ka = evade diagonal right back, mokuju down. Jukendo-ka = Nodo. Jukendo-ka = Draw Back. Jukendo-ka = Zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 4: Yohonme: Seitai no tsuki – sensen no sen
Jukendo-ka starts in gedan-no-kamae, Tankendo-ka in irimi chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Tankendo-ka initiates by moving in (irimi) and controls Jukendo-ka’s mokuju by pushing it the right and then keeps control of Jukendo-ka’s by moving tanken in to close with Jukendo-kai’s front hand as they move in. Tankendo-ka then takes control of the mokuju by grasping it between Jukendo-ka’s hands and uses this to break Jukendo-ka’s balance before thrusting at dou. Tankendo-ka makes an alert and cautious withdrawal keeping tanken in a threatening position pointed at Jukendo-ka.
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: Jukendo-ka = Gedan / Tankendo-ka = Irimi chudan. 3 steps in. Tankendo-ka = step in, pressure right. Step in, tanken at kote. Grab mokuju, break balance. Tankendo-ka = Do. Tankendo-ka = Alert withdrawal. Tankendo-ka = Zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 5: Gohonme: Seitai no tsuki – go no sen
Jukendo-ka starts in gedan-no-kamae, Tankendo-ka in irimi chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Tankendo-ka initiates by moving in (irimi) and attempts to control by pushing to the right. Jukendo-ka evades with a right diagonal step back followed by thrust to do which Tankendo-ka avoids by pushing mokuju to the left, grabbing Jukendo-ka’s left elbow and breaking balance before making thrust to do. Tankendo-ka makes an alert and cautious withdrawal keeping tanken in a threatening position pointed at Jukendo-ka.
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: Jukendo-ka = Gedan / Tankendo-ka = Irimi chudan. 3 steps in. Tankendo-ka = step in, pressure right / Jukendo-ka = evade, diagonal right back step. Jukendo-ka = Do / Tankendo-ka = push left, control left elbow, do. Tankendo-ka = Do. Tankendo-ka = Alert withdrawal. Tankendo-ka = Zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 6: Ropponme: Seitai no tsuki – go no sen
Jukendo-ka starts in gedan-no-kamae, Tankendo-ka in irimi chudan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai, Tankendo-ka initiates by moving in (irimi) and attempts to control by pushing down. Jukendo-ka evades with a right diagonal step back, withdrawing mokuju followed by thrust to nodo which Tankendo-ka avoids by pushing mokuju up, grabbing Jukendo-ka’s left elbow, forcing up and breaking balance before making thrust to do. Tankendo-ka makes an alert and cautious withdrawal keeping tanken in a threatening position pointed at Jukendo-ka.
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: Jukendo-ka = Gedan / Tankendo-ka = Irimi chudan. 3 steps in. Tankendo-ka = step in, pressure down / Jukendo-ka = evade, diagonal right back step. Jukendo-ka = Nodo / Tankendo-ka = push up, control left elbow, do. Tankendo-ka = Do. Shi = Alert withdrawal. Tankendo-ka = Zanshin. 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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