These kata refreshers have been kindly provided by Tyler. (He'll get around to #1 someday =p)

 

New Update (please change as see fit, this is just how I see the kata)

S = Shitachi

U = Uchitachi

 

 

Kata #1 Men Nuki Men

 

 

 

U: hidari (left) jou-dan

S: migi (right) jou-dan in response

U&S: 3 step forward

U: sees an opportunity to cut men kiai:ya, but over cuts (down to the floor, don't hit it), keep body straight, maintain metsuke (eye connection)

S: steps back like a men nuki as U cuts men kiai:tou, then step in and cut men as their cut causes them to be off center

U: small step back to test S

S: response by lowering kisaki and presenting seme to U eye

U: backs again to test S

S: goes into hidari jou-dan, seme, WATCH MAAI! (jou-dan has further reach, don't be too close to U else they will cut your leg off!), think "move again and you're dead"

U: gives up, raises sword back to chu-dan, bring back leg up

S: lowers to chu-dan, LOTS of seme here and go slow to make sure U is REALLY giving up!

U&S: maiotoko, 5 steps back

 

 

Kata #2 Kote Nuki Kote

 

 

Go-forward-moto-cuts-kote-and-shitachi-PWNSMOTOWITHNUKIKOTE!!!

 

 

U&S: chuu-dan, 3 steps forward

U: tries to cut BIG kote

S: CATCHES TIMING, WAIT for U to be committed in the cut, LOWERS kisaki (a must!) & step back (depending on maai), furikaburi til U kote is visible under left hand push off back leg and cut kote, seme to the eye as U step back

U: step back

S: step across, back to center

U&S: maiotoko, 5 steps back

 

 

Kata #3

 

 

STAB-STAB-STAB-WALK-WALK-WALK-WALK

 

 

U&S: ge-dan, 3 steps forward

S: presents strong seme, forces up to chuu-dan

U: senses S seme, comes up to chuu-dan trying to stop S, decides it's not going to work and does a "curve-around" tsuki to the suigetsu (blade should be horizontal on this tsuki so the kisaki curves back towards center

S: absorb the tsuki by using the back of the blade pulling a bit in and down with left hand, KEEP HANDS IN CENTER else you can't be in center to tsuki back! straight tsuki to the suigetsu

U: must deflect the tsuki by going under S sword, around, and attempt to ooji but FAILS TO KNOCK S sword off center

S: presents a strong seme and pushes forward again, remember S takes ALL ayumiashi

U: takes another step back, sword under and around, and attempts to ooji again the other side, fails yet again, takes 3 steps backward STARTING WITH BACK FEET AS FIRST STEP!!, lower kisaki to "I give up" position

S: follow U and move seme up to their eyes, thinking "don't try to run"

U: give up by bringing kisaki up slowly

S: sees the signal that U is giving up, steps back 5 step

U: on S 2nd step, join right right feet and take the rest (3) step back to center

U&S: maiotoko, 5 steps back

 

 

Kata #4

 

 

WHEE-I'M-IN-WAKIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!! AIUCHI-MEN!!!!! STAB; OH NO I AM MEN'D =(

 

Kata #5

 

 

STAB THE ROOF! I HAVE OOOOOJI'D YOU AND NOW YOU ARE DEAD =D

 

Kata #6

 

 

Moto = Gedan...walk forwards.. OH NO WHY WON'T HE LET ME COME UP =(. Oh well, step forwards.. AHAHAHAHA-YOU-CANNOT-KOTE-ME!! YES, RUN AWAY YOU COWARD!! AHAHAHHAAH

 

Kata #7

 

 

Funky follow-through-do-cut-that-you-end-up-on-your-knees-and-then-stand-up-and-then-twirly-aroundy-and-fun

 

All the descriptions in bolded black text are fantastic. Surely this knowledge is now preserved for future generations to learn. - Ben