training usefullness

However, in some Iato, there is no going beyond kata.

But how many that DO go beyond doing kata, and actually sparring, actually do more than rote memorization? IN the Seki Sensei review clip of "The Last Samurai", he was just giddy because at the end they had tom cruise get attacked by 4 guys at night, and that dojo has 1 kata for being attacked by 4 people.
with this rough concept of arrangement

front left attacker (fla) front right attacker (fra)


Defender

rear left attacker (rla) rear right attacker (rra)

The only official way to complete the kata is to spin and attack the rear left attacker, and then let the others come at you.

Problem is, if the rear left attacker KNOWS this kata, all he would have to do is back pedal while drawing his sword into a blocking stance. And simply wait for his 3 friends to do you in.

But the defender COULD simply run forward between the front attackers and doing a draw attack cut on the right front attacker as you go buy and dissappear into the night.

SO even if you practice this kata with fellow students at your dojo, its only going to be by "official methodology" so no one is going to actually LEARN how to adapt to the situation.

Who knows, perhaps all attackers are carrying naginata like smart men sent to kill the willey samurai in a dark back alley.