Kenjutsu for Cut and Thrust - 1

Lesson Plan

Kamae

Seigan no Kamae

“ Point the tip of your sword so that it is on the line between yours and the uke’s eyes… The feet are approximately 2 ½ to 3 feet apart with your feet parallel. The right foot is pointed forwards. The left foot is pointed 45 degrees to the rear. Lower your centre of gravity as much as is comfortable.” (Takamatsuden books, 6)

“The right foot is forwards. The Kashira is placed almost at the top of the thigh. The tip of the blade points at Ukes eyes.” (Training Notes)

This kamae is also described by Friday in his description of the Kashima-Shinryu densho. The detail which seems to be the key difference between these schools’ versions of the kamae is the placement of the feet. Kashima-Shinryu’s seigan has both feet pointing at the opponent. This squares the hips towards the opponent more than you find in the Kukishinden ryu.

Dai Jodan no Kamae

“The lower body is the same as with Seigan no Kamae - only you switch the feet (left foot forward instead of the right.. The sword held at a 45 degree angle above your head - your left hand should be parallel with the top of your forehead one fist away - the right is directly above your crown” (Takamatsuden books, 6)

“The left foot is forwards with the sword held 60 degrees above the head.” (Training Notes)

Hasso no Kamae

“The feet almost touch, and Tori is standing upright with the sword held at the side. The elbows are by the body, and the left hand is at chest height. The Tsuba is positioned slightly between the shoulder and the ear)” (Training Notes)

Waza

Karatake Wari

“This is a cut straight down to the head.” (Takamatsuden books, 10) It is a cut which moves roughly from Dai Jodan no Kamae to Seigan no Kamae

Kesa Giri

“Your cut starts at the shoulder and finishes at the opposite side hip” (Takamatsuden books, 11)

Kesa giri is also found in the Kashima-Shinryu by the same name. Unlike the schools found in the Bujinkan the kesa giri is the fundamental cut in the Kashima-Shinryu. Friday says “All other Kashima-Shinryu techniques for the sword and for other weapons are described as simple variations — transformations — of the kesa giri.”(Friday, 124)

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Ukemi - Recieving

Initial Thoughts

The primary method of reception should be avoidance. As opposed to a parry. The intent should be to get off the line of the attack (for Kukishinden Ryu typically a 45ish degree angle, though steps directly to the side are also used) And putting your blade in the way of the follow through of your opponent.

Jodan Uke Nagashi

This is a parry for a cut from above (regardless of angle). Where the primary contact surface is with the flat of the blade. This parry should be thought of as a soft parry. To allow the opponent’s blade to slide off of yours.

Jodan Uke Tome

This is also a parry for a cut from above. The contact surface should not be the edge of your sword. However, likely in C&T situations the contact surface is more likely to be one side of your edge.

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Kata

Kiri Sage

Tenchi no Kamae. The opponent is head on. The sword is held up in front. The opponent cuts down from Dai Jodan. Receive the cut by drawing the left foot back; if the opponent advances, the handles of the swords meet. Push firmly, dropping the tip of the sword down to the left while turning the body to the right side. And cut down from the opponent’s left shoulder. In this space (kukan) you use the fulcrum of the elbows and forearms to change and cut down with the sword.