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Kendo Kata (1)
The present-day Nihon kendo kata is derived from an earlier nationalized and standardized set of forms called the Dai Nihon Teikoku kendo kata, which were established in 1912 (1).
The video clip shows the first kata in the sequence of the Ohdachi forms (Ohdachi no kata), called Iponme (or "Form Number One"). After the initial ritual forms of etiquette, the two participants face each other in chuudan no kamae (middle level) position. Then they both go into jodan no kamae (upper level stance) and close the distance. The uchidachi ("initiator") strikes straight down when he comes to striking distance. Shidachi ("counter-attacker) slips back a few inches, avoiding the attack but still close enough to counter. As he slides back out of the cut, shidachi raises his own sword. When he slides back in to close the distance, shidachi counters with a straight strike of his own.
Both participants then display zanshin (alert watchfulness) as they return back to their original distance and position.
(1) Page 34, Kendo, by the Hawaii Kendo Federation, the "Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Manual 1995." Self-published by the Hawaii Kendo Federation, Honolulu, Hawaii 1995.