En cours de traduction
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.
There are six kata for tankendo vs sword – kata 1-3 the tankendo-ka ‘wins’ while in kata 4-6 it is the sword which is the victor. An interesting note from Baptiste’s article (KW, 2011, Vol 6.2) is that these kata have been strongly influenced by kendo kata and so we need to remember that the detached bayonet blade is designed for thrusting, rather than cutting.
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 to kata start each one nine steps away from each other, in chudan-no-kamae. Because the role of uchikata and shikata swap during the kata set, they’ll be referred to below as Tankendo-ka and Kenshi (swordsman).
Number 1: Ipponme: Nodo no tsuki – sen
Tankendo-ka moves into chudan-irimi-no-kamae, Kenshi into gedan-no-kamae. 3 steps in to reach ma-ai. Initiative is taken by the Tankendo-ka using the tanken to suppress the sword by pushing it down and then striking nodo. Tankendo-ka takes a large step back, drawing tanken back strongly. Tankendo-ka makes small step forward (zanshin), tanken tip pointed at Kenshi. Kenshi leads pair back to chudan-no-kamae.
Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Tankendo-ka irimi chudan, kenshi gedan. 3 steps in. Tankendo-ka = push sword down. Tankendo-ka = nodo. Tankendo-ka = draw back. Tankendo-ka = zanshin. Kenshi = lead to chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 2: Nihonme: Seitei do no tsuki – sensen no sen
Tankendo-ka moves into chudan-irimi-no-kamae, Kenshi into gedan-no-kamae. 3 steps, Kenshi shortens last step to keep just out of ma-ai. Tankendo-ka moves in and tries to control sword by pushing to the right. Kenshi responds by stepping back and then striking at dou which Tankendo-ka deals with by pushing the sword left and down, taking hold of Kenshi’s left arm and breaking their balance and follows up by striking dou. Tankendo-ka makes cautious retreat showing zanshin. Pair moves back into chudan-no-kamae.
Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Tankendo-ka irimi chudan, kenshi gedan. 3 steps in, Kenshi short. Tankendo-ka = advance, push sword right. Kenshi = step back. Kenshi = dou / Tankendo-ka = push right, control left arm, break balance, dou. Tankendo-ka = draw back. Tankendo-ka = zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 3: Sanbonme: Men wo fusegi seitei-zuki – sensen no sen
Tankendo-ka moves into chudan-irimi-no-kamae, Kenshi into gedan-no-kamae. 3 steps, Kenshi shortens last step to keep just out of ma-ai. Tankdendo-ka steps in and attempts to control sword by pushing it down, Kenshi evades by stepping back into wakigamae (sword down on right side of body, tip pointed back and low behind them). Kenshi then steps in to strike with an overhead men cut which Tankendo-ka blocks with tanken while crossing their forearms (left under right). With left arm now crossed over, Tankendo-ka can grab Kenshi’s left arm by the wrist/forearm and pull it down to the left, breaking balance before thrusting dou. Tankendo-ka makes cautious retreat showing zanshin. Pair moves back into chudan-no-kamae.
Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Tankendo-ka irimi chudan, kenshi gedan. 3 steps in, Kenshi short. Tankendo-ka = advance, push sword down. Kenshi = step back, wakigamae. Kenshi = Men / Tankendo-ka = crossed arm block, control left arm, break balance, dou. Tankendo-ka = draw back. Tankendo-ka = zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 4: Yonhonme: Nodo no tsuki – sen
Tankendo-ka moves into chudan-irimi-no-kamae, Kenshi into gedan-no-kamae. 3 steps into ma-ai. Tankendo-ka initiates by stepping in and attempting to push sword from the right – Kenshi steps back and to the right to avoid and then strikes nodo. Kenshi steps back with a strong withdrawal of sword and makes small step in to show zanshin, keeping tip of sword aimed at Tankendo-ka.Both move back into chudan-no-kamae.
Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Tankendo-ka irimi chudan, kenshi gedan. 3 steps. Tankendo-ka = push sword from right / Kenshi = step back diagonally right. Kenshi = Nodo. Kenshi = draw back. Kenshi = zanshin. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
Number 5: Gohonme: Irimi ni tai suru men no
Tankendo-ka moves into chudan-irimi-no-kamae, Kenshi into gedan-no-kamae. 3 steps in, Tankendo-ka slightly short of ma-ai. Tankendo-ka initiates by stepping in and attempting to push sword down – Kenshi steps back and to the right into jodan-no-kamae to avoid and then strikes men. Kenshi shows zanshin by drawing the tip of sword down past Tankendo-ka’s face with intent and then takes a large step back while moving into hidari-jodan-no-kamae (jodan with left arm taking more prominent angle towards opponent)*. Both move back into chudan-no-kamae.
Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Tankendo-ka irimi chudan, kenshi gedan. 3 steps, Tankendo-ka short. Tankendo-ka = push sword down / Kenshi = step back diagonally right into Jodan. Kenshi = Men. Kenshi = zanshin. Kenshi = draw back into hidari jodan*. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
*this needs clarification – the article states moving into hidari jodan however the latest video reference I have shows simply the withdrawal backward after zanshin.
Number 6: Ropponme: Jodan kara no men uchi – go no sen
Kenshi goes into hidari jodan-no-kamae (jodan with left arm taking more prominent angle towards opponent), Tankendo-ka responds by then pointing the tip of their tanken at Kenshi’s left wrist. 3 steps in to ma-ai. Tankendo-ka initiates by stepping in and pressuring by threatening Kenshi’s left wrist – Kenshi steps back and to the right into jodan-no-kamae to avoid and then strikes men. Kenshi withdraws with caution and shows zanshin by drawing the tip of sword down past Tankendo-ka’s face with intent and then takes a large step back into hidari jodan-no-kamae**. Both move back into chudan-no-kamae.
Both move together into gedan-no-kamae. Retreat 5 steps, back foot first. Raise weapons together back into chudan-no-kamae.
TLDR version: Kenshi hidari jodan, Tankendo-ka reponds to threaten left wrist. 3 steps to ma-ai. Tankendo-ka =threaten left wrist / Kenshi = step back diagonally right into Jodan. Kenshi = Men. Kenshi = zanshin. Kenshi = draw back into hidari jodan**. Chudan. Gedan. 5 steps back. Chudan.
**this needs clarification – the article states Kenshi simply withdraws backward after zanshin however the latest video reference I have shows the retreat while moving into hidari jodan.
*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.*