Kenjutsu for Cut and Thrust 2

Lesson Plan

Taijutsu

Kamae

1. Hira no Kamae - Natural standing posture with hands at/on your hips standing in a natural way.
2. Migi Seigan no Kamae - The body is turned to the right. Sideways, right hand on hip. Position the left hand in a shuto and direct it toward the opponent.

Ukemi

1. Jodan Uke Nagashi
2. Jodan Uke Tome (Ken Kudaki)

Kata

1. Ka no Kata Variation 1 -
   1. Uke and Tori start in Migi Seigan no Kamae
   2. Uke Steps forward and throws a punch towards Tori’s head
   3. Tori steps off the line of the attack
   4. Tori applies jodan uke nagagshi
   5. Tori strikes to the neck with omote shuto
2. Ka no Kata Variation 2 -
   1. Uke and Tori start in Migi Seigan no Kamae
   2. Uke Steps forward and throws a punch towards Tori’s head
   3. Tori steps off the line of the attack
   4. Tori applies jodan uke tome
   5. Tori strikes to the neck with omote shuto

Kenjutsu

Kamae

Gedan no Kamae

“From Chudan no Kamae, keep the left hand in the same position and lower the right hand until the kissaki points to … the uke’s foot” (Takamatsuden books, 8)

“The right foot is forwards, the tip of the blade points at the ground. Tori leans forwards a little. Both wrists are below the belt.” (Training Notes)

Tenchi no Kamae

“The sword is held diagonally in a position close to the right ear with approximately 9 sun (1 sun = 3.03cm) between the blade and the body” (Hatsumi, 106)

“Point the kissaki at the heavens, and keep your right hand next to your right ear” (Takamatsuden books, 8) This reads as Hasso no Kamae to me; But this translation calls it Tenchi no Kamae.

“The right foot is forwards. The sword is held out in front of the body, with the hands at chest height” (Training Notes)

Waza

Dō Giri

“This is for cutting across the uke’s body.” (Takamatsuden books, 11)

Gyaku Kesa Giri

“…bring your sword up diagonally in an arc, cutting through the uke’s right hip through to the left shoulder.” (Takamatsuden books, 11)

Ukemi - Recieving

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Kata

Kiri Age

Chudan no Kamae. The opponent is in Dai Jodan. Exactly at the instant the opponent cuts down, you turn the wrists first, and cut up from the right side to the left shoulder. At this time, if the opponent has cut down, their sword is flipped up, immediately turn the wrists and thrust in. This is called Chudan Kiriage Gaeshi.

Sayu Gyaku

Three Variations - Tenchijin no Kamae, Facing straight on, the sword points straight up from around the area of the right ear. The upper half of the body faces a diagonal angle to the right. The opponent cuts in from Daijodan. Pull the right foot back one step. Immediately cut up from the opponent’s left side. Pull the left foot back to avoid, and cut up diagonally from the lower right.

Notes from Hatsumi Soke

This technique is executed with a kind of “pulling through” energy (kiryoku).

If you use the right foot as a pivot, cut up and chop into the opponent’s left side, and if you use the left foot as a pivot, cut up into the opponent’s right side.

When you cut up, see in your mind your attack harmonizing with the wind power in a mountain storm blowing up from the lower side of the opponent.