Mugen Shinto Ryu Iaijutsu kata

Below is the list of the iai kata which compromise the Mugen Shinto Ryu style. Along with the kata are not translations but images which describe or explain the kata.

Suwari waza:

1.      Yoko-gumo  horizontal, cloud   (flowing between mountains image, kasumi)

2.      Usu-zumi – black of calligraphy (charcoal), stroking line, sweeping

3.      Yatsu-nami – 8 waves (8 is lucky, waves of attack)

4.      Ka-ryu – fire dragon (spiralling up to heaven)

5.      Kai-shaku – help to commit harikiri

6.      Kasumi – haze/mist -> cloud movement

7.      Uke-nagashi – receive without stopping

8.      Tsuki-kage – alignment of moon to shadow is straight, partner’s sword is moon, I enter shadow

9.      Tsuke-komi – attack weak point using most rapid/simple movement

10.   Zan-getsu – mountain, moon; moon appears behind mountain

11.   Tama-guruma – precious stone (beautiful, expensive), big wheel

12.   Nuki-uchi – simple, fast cut

13.   Itoma-goi – say goodbye manner, make partner loose attention

Handachi waza:

1.      Rai-otoshi – thunder strike

2.      Hagai-gaeshi – like a bird flapping wings (for take off)

3.      Tai-ryu – big dragon

4.      Shinobi-gaeshi – patient cut

5.      Yoko-ichimonji – foot/leg form is one line, sword is one line (parallel)

6.      Shime-guruma – kill and bleed out (shime), big wheel for shimeru

7.      Chidori-gaeshi – bird, walk like drunk. Foot work is same as chidori

8.      Konoha-otoshi – falling leaf, otoshi… small wind, but leave falls

9.      Sui-ryu – water stream

10.   Toride-gaeshi – grab hand, cut

11.   Mai-chou – flying, butterfly

Tachi waza:

1.      Ran-ka – suddenly change (live revolution), flower

2.      Oki-tsunami – far away (in the sea) tsunami. Tsunami comes from far away.

3.      Oi-uchi – chase and cut

4.      Shigoki-taoshi – body attach (body check), take down

5.      Tsurube-otoshi – letting go of a water pale in a well, when sun goes down fast, dropping quickly

6.      Uneri-gaeshi – soft but strong (flow/flip)

7.      Shigure-otoshi – sudden downpour

8.      Kuruma-giri – big wheel cut

9.      Kosode-otoshi – forearm cut

10.   Sagari-fuji - falling branch of wisteria

11. Taka-no-tsume – elbow grab (like a hawk on a rabbit)

12.  Uki-fune – floating ship

13.   Yo-arashi – strong wind and rain at night

14.   Jumoku-daoshi – turn over a big piece of wood

15.   Un-ryu – cloud dragon

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16.   Jo-utou – love** sword (love for mankind, cherish life), to teach a lesson