Position of feet for shitachi in kendo-no-kata 7.

by Andrew Barnett

Imafuji-sensei,

I hope you've been well. I was reviewing your kata videos and on kata 7 noticed a difference between the way I saw (and was previously taught) the footwork for shitachi and what my current sensei teaches. The version I am learning ends with coming down onto one knee with both legs pointed at uchitachi as soon as I come down, instead of having my legs perpendicular and then turning when I take waki (like a "rudder" that turns a la iaido seiteigata 4).

I'm not doubting my sensei (he recently passed shinsa, so clearly his method is correct in my regional federation), but I am wondering if this is a recent change or a regional variation or something that was changed while I was on my post-covid kendo hiatus. I also was hoping you might have some insight on the theoretical advantages and disadvantages of taking the perpendicular vs. parallel stance when you come down from cutting do, aside from the fact that having your legs parallel seems to be much more difficult (but It hink I've probably got it!).

Thank you!

P.S.
If there have been changes to the way kata is being done that was implemented in the past few years, I would love to see a video about it and would share it with all of my friends.

Kendo-Guide.Com: Hello, and thank you for your message.

It is wonderful to hear that you are back to training after your hiatus. As a kendo teacher, I am always happy to see students returning to the dojo!

Regarding your question about Nihon Kendo Kata No. 7 (Nanahon-me) and the footwork for Shitachi:

Perpendicular vs. Straight Stance

I wanted to give you a precise answer, so I checked several resources:

- Two official kendo kata manuals (Japanese and English)
- Looking at a Far Mountain by Paul Budden sensei
- Kendo Kata Essence and Application by Inoue Yoshihiko sensei
- Official videos by the AJKF and Kendo Nippon magazine

Interestingly, none of them explicitly mention the specific position of the knees.

My Experience and Analysis

I have been practicing kendo for over four decades , starting when I was seven years old. To be honest, after practicing for this long, the movement has become automatic for me! But looking at it logically:

When we turn to face uchitachi, we have to move our back leg (the right leg) around so our body aligns with our opponent. If both knees are already completely facing uchitachi the moment we land, there is no need to "turn" the right leg.

Since there are no written instructions on if the right leg must be perpendicular or parallel, I believe the position should be natural. The right leg should be slightly open sideways, not forced straight forward immediately. Almost all the books and videos I checked show the right leg slightly open.

Conclusion

I think this is about the "degree" of the angle. I do not think the legs should be completely facing uchitachi as soon as you kneel down.

However, your sensei might have learned differently or has a specific reason. In kendo, it is important to follow what your current teacher instructs. I will continue to perform the kata the way I learned from my teachers, but you should do what is taught by your teacher.

I hope this helps clarify things!

Hiro Imafuji
Kendo-Guide.Com

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