IDORI
( KNEELING DEFENCE)
Idori kata or kneeling forms are performed from seiza, the traditional Japanese kneeling or sitting position. Uke is armed with a wakizashi (short sword). When attacking, uke may attack using an empty handed attack or use the wakizashi. When using the wakizashi, uke attacks tori usually in one of two ways, either by slashing across tori’s throat or by a downward thrust to tori’s head or body. Tori responds to these attacks by utilizing a variety of techniques. The techniques will vary of course from ryu to ryu. In Tai Shi Kai Wado-Ryu many jujitsu applications are used. An important point to remember is that in the days of the Japanese Samurai the long sword was not permitted to be worn indoors, however the wakizashi was. A Samurai would have to be prepared for an attack at any time. The Idori kata prepared the Samurai for this type of encounter. Ohtsuka sensei learned his Idori from his instructor at Shindo Yoshin Ryu Ju-jitsu. Although not part of the Wado-Ryu syllabus, some instructors still teach and practice the art of Idori.
