Training in Sydney

Learning Process

Students of Katori Shinto-ryu in Sydney follow the learning process as it is done in Japan. Students in Australia are taught kata (pre-arranged routines) that are studied and practiced together with more senior practitioners under the supervision of their teacher. Training consists of the practice of prearranged forms that contain the art’s quintessence, and enables students to gradually acquire the art’s technical, theoretical and philosophical approach. The first kata learned are omote no tachi (swordsmanship: 4 kata), omote iaijutsu (sword drawing: 6 kata), tachiai battōjutsu (standing sword drawing: 5 kata), omote no bōjutsu (staff techniques: 6 kata), and omote no naginata (halberd techniques: 4 kata).

Students practice these kata in earnest over many months and years, and are eventually introduced to a wider range of instruction.  Practitioners are awarded scrolls (Mokuroku, Menkyo, and Gokui Kaiden) in line with their development.