ZNKR
The Zen Ken Ren Iaido (Z.K.R.I.) – Seitei iai
Today there are twelve designed kata trained by all Iaidoka, which form a common ground for examinations and matches.
This is Zen Ken Ren or Z.K.R. Iaido (formerly known as seitei iai), which emerged in 1967 and developed in 1980 and 2001, when headmasters associated with the Z.N.K.R. were seeking a way to spread/develop iaido in a common way and to confront kendoka with the roots of their sport.
1969 ZNKR Comitee (7 kata formed):
- Danzaki Tomoaki, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Shinden Ryu
- Yamatsuta Jukichi, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Shinden Ryu
- Yamamoto Harusuke, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu
- Masaoka Kazumi, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu
- Muto Shuzo, Hanshi, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Hasegawa Eishin Ryu
- Kamimoto Eichi, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Hasegawa Eishin Ryu
- Yoshizawa Ikki, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Hoki Ryu
- Tsumaki Seirin, 8 th Dan Kyoshi, Tamiya Ryu
- Suetsugo Tomezo 8 th Dan Kyoshi, Muso Shinden Ryu
- Nukada Hisashi, 8 th Dan Kyoshi, Muso Shinden Ryu
- Ohmura Tadaji, 8 th Dan Kyoshi, Muso Shinden Ryu
- Sawayama Shuzo 8 th Dan Kiyoshi, Hoki Ryu
1980 ZNKR Comitee (3 kata added):
- Danzaki Tomoaki, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Shinden Ryu
- Kamimoto Eichi, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Shinden Ryu
- Hashimoto Masatake, 9 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu
- Wada Hachiro, 8 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Shinden Ryu
- Mitani Yoshisato, 8 th Dan Hanshi, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu
- Sawayama Shuzo, 8 th Dan Hanshi, Hoki Ryu
2001 ZNKR Comitee (2 kata added):
- No info
Traditional kendo kata, performed with a wooden sword (bokken), gave insufficient opportunity for this, even though either judo or kendo were obligatory parts of the curriculum at Japanese schools at the time. Comprises of four sitting and eight standing kata, featuring the most representative and effective sword techniques from various traditions: horizontal, vertical, diagonal and successive cuts, as well as thrusts and stabs.
The serie is preceded and concluded by a short saluting ritual (reiho), which figure largely in iaido. Depending on the situation, it is an expression of respect to the past (the gods or early headmasters), the present (the teacher and the sword) and the future (the students) of the discipline. Z.K.R. iaido definitively marks the transition of Iai-jutsu to Iai-do. In this present form, Iaido is practiced world-wide.
Mae – Setei IaiWith the advent of Z.K.R. iaido, the many traditions (Ryu-Ha) were provided with a standard with which to compare their expertise among themselves. Apart from the appraisal within the various schools, a system well-known from other budo disciplines was introduced, featuring 7 kyu- and 10 Dan grades (now max. 8), with which one could judge the level of experience of candidates.
In the All Belgium Kendo Federation (A.B.K.F.), candidates must pass the exam for the 1st kyu-grade, prior to being admitted to the exam for 1st dan. Examinations always consist of a theoretical and a practical section. The Z.N.K.R. system also opens the road to matches, where two candidates of about the same level of experience – sometimes with one grade disparity – simultaneously show a number of free or prescribed kata to a jury. Of course, they will be judged by the technical perfection of their performance, measured by the depth of their training background, but also by the atmosphere ( fighting spirit ) they are able to evoke with their kata.
It must be understood that the ZNR Seitei Iai is not static. Each year highly ranked sensei review the forms and occasionally apply small changes, this enables the ZNR Seitei Iai to be a living art and to ensure that the standard is maintained and that its original purpose is not lost.
