ZEN NIHON

KENDO
RENMEI
(ZNKR)
Chanbara Iaido Class Equipment Jodo Links ZNKR

The Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR or All Japan Kendo Federation)
provides a ranking system for iaido. It has the same structure as the kendo
ranking system. The ranking system is based on mastering iaido tradition
and the twelve Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei Gata. If a student
advances far enough, additional ranking is available within the classical
ryu such as the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and the Muso Shinden Ryu.
These two ryu are very similar and are the most practiced forms of iaido.

Rank tests in iaido consist primarilay of performing a specified number of

kata (usually five). You are usually told which of the five kata you are to
perform. At kyu and the lowest dan ranks, all of the kata will be from the
ZNKR seitei gata. As rank increases, the test taker might be required to
perform a kata of choice from a traditional school. Iaido testing may also
include written or oral tests showing mastery of iaido traditions, history,
and terminology.

Separate from the kyu and dan ranks, there are shogo, which are
instructor ranks (renshi, kyoshi and hanshi). The tests for shogo are even
more difficult than for high level dan ranks, with separate requirements for
passing. Renshi is only available to those who are already rokudan. A
person's rank is their combination of dan and shogo. Hachidan hanshi is
the highest rank currently awarded by the ZNKR.

Kyu Ranks Sixth Rokkyu Dan Ranks First Shodan

The first levels of ranking Fifth Gokyu These are the Second Nidan
are kyu ranks and mainly "black belt" ranks
used for Fourth Yonkyu although iaidoka Third Sandan
children. Generally, adults usually do not wear
and older teenagers do Third Sankyu colored belts to Fourth Yondan
not test for iaido rank until indicate
they are ready for ikkyu Second Nikyu rank. The dan ranks Fifth Godan
(first kyu rank). The kyu from lowest to
ranks from lowest to First Ikkyu highest are given in Sixth Rokudan
highest are given in the the table to the right.
table to the right. After The minimum Seventh Nanadan
the kyu ranks come the requirement to
dan or "black belt" ranks. operate a Eight Hachidan
recognized
independent dojo is
godan. From lowest
to highest, the dan
ranks are:

Iaido Judging Guidelines for All Japan Kendo Federation

Below is a list of seitei gata iai check points from the January 2, 2000
updated version of the ZNKR (All Japan Kendo Federation) Iai
Booklet. Translated by Robert Stroud.

Manners

Is the proscribed sequence of manners (proper bowing and procedure)

demonstrated ?

Ipponme, Mae

1. During nukitsuke (drawing)is there sufficient sayabiki (pullback of the

saya or scabbard)?

2. Is jodan kamae (furikabutte) assumed with the feeling of trusting back

along side of the left ear?

3. Does the kissaki (sword tip) not drop down below horizontal after raising
up to jodan kamae (furikabutte)?

4. Is there no pause before the downward cut (kiri oroshi)?

5. Is the kissaki (sword tip) slightly down after finishing the kirioroshi
(finishing) cut?

6. Is the posture during chiburi (sword cleaning motion) correct?

7. Is noto (sword re-sheathing) done correctly?

Nihonme, Ushiro

1. When drawing the sword and simultaneously turning, does the left foot
move firmly forward as it goes slightly to the left?

2. Does the draw (nukitsuke) cut correctly toward the opponent's temple?

Sambonme, Uke Nagashi

1. Has the stance that makes Uke Nagashi protected the upper body?

2. Does the left foot pull back behind the right foot with the kesa (diagonal)
cut ?

3. Does the left fist stop in front of the navel with the sword tip (kissaki)
slightly lower?

Yohonme, Tsuka Ate

1. Does the butt of the sword handle (kashira) strike squarely to the
enemy's solar plexus?

2. When facing the rear enemy, does the left hand grip the scabbard
mount (koi guchi) squeezing with a jamming motion to the front of the
navel, as the tsuki is made, with the right elbow straightened out?

3. Turning to face the front enemy, does the sword pull out as the hilt (butt
of the handle) goes up to furikabbutte, and then cut down right thru the
front enemy?

Gohonme, Kesa giri

1. After finishing the reverse kesa upward cut, and rotating the sword for
the return downward cut, is the right fist above the right shoulder?

2. As the left foot is pulled back, does the left hand grasp the koi guchi, at
the same time as the kesa (diagonal) chiburi is done?

Ropponme, Morote Tsuki

1. Does the sudden/surprise downward diagonal head cut finish at the

enemy's jaw?

2. As you come to chudan, are you performing a precise tsuki thrust to the
solar plexus, by moving your rear foot forward?

3. Does the sword "pull out" move into furikabutte with a blocking uke
nagashi motion?

Nanahonme, Sanpou Giri

1. Does the draw, cut down to the right enemy's jaw?

2. Turning directly to the left enemy, are you cutting down precisely thru
him?

3. Using a sliding block (uke nagashi) motion into jodan kamae, do you cut
down until the sword is parallel with the floor?

Happonme, Ganmen Ate

1. Does the sword hilt (kashira) thrust correctly to a point between both
eyes?

2. Is the right hand grip for the rear enemy correctly held at the right upper
hip?

3. Facing completely to the rear enemy, does the heel only raise up
slightly with the tsuki?

4. Is the tsuki made without locking the leg?

Kyuhonme, Soete Tsuki

1. When the right kesa (diagonal) drawing cut is made, does the right fist
finish at the same height as the navel, with the kissaki slightly higher?

2. Pinching the blade firmly midway along its length, between the left
thumb and index finger, does the right fist touch the right upper hip?

3. Does the right fist stop in front of the navel, after the thrusting pierce to
the abdomen?

4. During the zanshin follow-through, does the right elbow not bend or
stop heigher than the right breast?

Juhonme, Shiho Giri

1. When striking with the flat of the handle, is it strong and certain?

2. After uncapping the blade (saya biki), is the backside of the cutting area
(monouchi) placed at the left breast, with the right fist away from the
body?

3. After thrusting to the rear, and the left hand grasps the scabbard mouth
(koi guchi) in front of the navel, do both hands squeeze (shibori) using the
whole body?

4. Does the move into the cut (furikabutte) happen with the waki gamae
moving into a jodan kamae, and not after it?

Juipponme, Sou Giri

1. When drawing the sword do you make furi kaburi (raise up above your
head) into uke nagashi?

2. Is the footwork, okuri ashi, during the cutting techniques correct?

3. During the stomach/waist area cut (do) is the cut made with the edge
aligned to the horizontal?

Junihonme, Nuki Uchi

1. When drawing the sword back does the right foot move back far
enough?

2. Does the right hand raise up to a position on the body centerline after
drawing the sword?