Questions from 2010 AUSKF Iaido Shinsa
Please answer two of the three questions for your desired rank.
First Kyu candidates:
1: List the names of all 12 All Japan Kendo Federation Iaido kata.
2: What is reiho?
3: What do you hope to gain through the study of Iaido?
Shodan candidates:
1: Explain what is meant by the term saya biki. Describe its use in one All Japan Kendo
Federation Iaido kata.
2: Draw a simple diagram of a katana, label as many parts as you can.
3: Describe proper finger control of the tsuba and explain its importance.
Nidan candidates:
1: Discuss the concept of zanshin. Describe its use in at least one All Japan Kendo
Federation Iaido kata.
2: Define hasuji and explain its importance in Iaido.
3: What is meant by the term Iai goshi? Describe its use in one or more All Japan Kendo
Federation Iaido kata.
Sandan candidates:
1: What is kirioroshi? Describe its use in one All Japan Kendo Federation Iaido kata.
2: Describe how to clean a sword (shinken or iaito).
3: How should the left hand function while drawing the sword?
Yondan candidates:
1: Write what you know about kokyu (breath control) in Iaido.
2: What is meant by jo-ha-kyu? Describe its use in at least one All Japan Kendo
Federation Iaido kata.
3: Describe the hara, and explain its use in Iaido.
Godan candidates:
1: Discuss reiho; what does the word mean, why is it important in the dojo?
2: Discuss metsuke.
3: Explain ki-ken-tai-ichi, and give two examples of its application in All Japan Kendo
Federation Iaido.
Rokudan candidates:
1: What is kigurai?
2: What are ma and ma-ai? Describe their application in one or two All Japan Kendo
Federation Iaido kata.
3: What is important when teaching Iaido to beginners?