In the western world, Katas are usually refered to as "forms or pre-arranged moves", concepts that primarily give a wrong description and even more important, a lack of the real meaning of their practice. The closest translation or meaning of Katas referes to the practice of a certain pattern of pre-established guided techniques representing a real life situation, more overall Katas represent imaginary fights against one or more opponents where the visualization of the opponents and real understanding of each technique executed are the focus of the practice. Under the Code of Bushido or the Code of the Samurai, if the samurai 'lost face' for some action commited it was expected that the samurai commit Seppuku (traditional Samurai suicide). The ritual of seppuku involved the self-stabbing with a tanto (dagger) in the abdominal area. It was an honor to assist a samurai commiting seppuku. As a result of this common scenario coming from the Samurai era, the Kaishaku kata practiced nowadays in Iai-Do represents the proper technique and etiquette assisting a samurai commiting seppuku.

Down below are listed the first set of Iai-Do katas taught at the Bushikan Dojo. These ten katas are known as the 'Sei Tei Gata' and represent a set of different techniques that were collected from various traditional schools.

Sei Tei Gata :
	Mae	Front
	Ushiro	Rear
	Uke Nagashi	Deflecting Blade
	Tsuka Ate	Tsuka Strike
	Kesa Giri	Cross Cut
	Morote Tsuki	Double Hand Thrust
	Sanpo Giri	Three Way Cut
	Ganme Ate	Face Strike
	Soe Te Tsuki	Face Strike, Stomach Thrust
	Shiho Giri	Four Way Cut