Kenjutsu Kata and Waza

Kata and Kumitachi are set movements of the Ryu. Either preformed in solo or in pair (uchitachi and shitachi). Accurate movements, angles, positions, sequence and it's details. While waza is to put the practice to a higher level. The spirit, intention and intensity has to be incorporated - A battlefield mindset. If we use bokuto, we have to imagine it's shinken. If we do kumitachi, we imagine it's actual combat. If it's shinken keiko - you know. During the stage of learning kata the focus first is the accurate movements. When the proficiency of movements are internalised, then the practice should move to waza keiko. The danger is doing waza keiko, but the level of proficiency in kata is still low will lead into some serious injuries. Imagine doing kiriage with shinken during the early stages of training. A self inflicted cut to the leg is not far. This is my personal understanding of the teachings of my sensei.