Editing Kendo (section)

==Kata==

{{main|Kendo Kata}}
''Kata'' are fixed patterns that teach ''kendōka'' the basic elements of swordsmanship. The ''kata'' include fundamental techniques of attacking and counter-attacking, and have useful practical application in general kendo. There are ten {{nihongo||日本剣道形|Nihon Kendō Kata}}. These are generally practiced with {{nihongo|wooden swords|木刀|''bokutō'' or ''[[bokken]]''}}. Occasionally, real swords or swords with a blunt edge, called {{nihongo||形用|kata-yō}} or {{nihongo||刃引|ha-biki}}, may be used for display of ''kata''.<ref name="kata">{{cite book
  | title = Nippon Kendo Kata Instruction Manual
  | publisher = All Japan Kendo Federation
  | date = 2002-03-29
  | location = Tokyo, Japan
  }}</ref>

All are performed by two people: the {{nihongo||打太刀|uchidachi}}, the teacher, and {{nihongo||仕太刀|shidachi}}, the student. The ''uchidachi'' makes the first move or attack in each ''kata''. As this is a teaching role, the ''uchidachi'' is always the losing side, thus allowing the ''shidachi'' to learn and to gain confidence.<ref name="kata" />

''Kata'' one to seven are performed with both partners using a normal length wooden sword. ''Kata'' eight to ten are performed with ''uchidachi'' using a normal length weapon and ''shidachi'' using a shorter one (''kodachi'').<ref name="kata" />

The forms of the {{nihongo||日本剣道形|Nihon Kendō Kata}} were finalized in 1933 based on the ''Dai nihon Teikoku Kendo Kata'', composed in 1912.<ref>{{cite book| last = Budden| first = Paul| title = Looking at a Far Mountain: A Study of Kendo Kata| year = 2000| publisher = Tuttle | isbn = 978-0-8048-3245-8| pages = 9, 12, 14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i5KxDxLttt0C&pg=PA9 }}</ref> It is impossible to link the individual forms of ''Dai nihon Teikoku Kendo Kata'' to their original influences, although the genealogical reference diagram does indicate the masters of the various committees involved, and it is possible from this to determine the influences and origins of Kendo and the Kata.<ref>{{harvnb|Budden|2000|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=i5KxDxLttt0C&pg=PA9 9]}}</ref>

In 2003, the All Japan Kendo Federation introduced {{nihongo||木刀による剣道基本技稽古法|Bokutō Ni Yoru Kendō Kihon-waza Keiko-hō}}, a set of basic exercises using a ''bokuto''. This form of practice is intended primarily for ''kendōka'' up to {{nihongo|second ''dan''|二段|ni-dan}}, but is very useful for all kendo students who are organized under [[International Kendo Federation|FIK]].<ref name="kata" />

''Kata'' can also be treated as competitions where players are judged upon their performance and technique.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kendo.org.uk/taikai-rules-kendo-kata-taikai/|title=Kendo Kata Taikai|publisher=British Kendo Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221130204/http://www.kendo.org.uk/taikai-rules-kendo-kata-taikai/|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kendo.org.uk/files/2009KataTaikaiRules.pdf|title=Kendo Kata Taikai Rules|publisher=British Kendo Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109043313/http://www.kendo.org.uk/files/2009KataTaikaiRules.pdf|archive-date=9 November 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref>