Class with Hiroko and Rick. We reviewed the cuts and blocks from last week and added the waist cuts and blocks. We then applied the various cuts and blocks in learning the Cutting Pattern 1.

Class today was Hiroko and Rick. Rick has trained in Shotokan Karate quite a bit and has been interested in sword arts for a long time. We covered the four basic stances (kendo/neautral, cat, back and front), and strikes and blocks for head, temple and wrist. I expect Rick to become a regular class member.

Today Hiroko returned from vacation and we for a short while at the begining we had Zach join us. With Zach, we worked on head and temple cuts. After he left, Hiroko and I performed Standing Iai 1 through 6, then worked on free fighting techniques 1 through 4. We finished with several minutes of one-attack parry.

Once more just Lynette (Hiroko is on vacation). Today we focused on free fighting techniques 1, 2 and 4.

Class with just Lynette again. We focused on kneeling iai 1 through 5, working on details, particularly on number 5.

Class with just Lynette today. Covered standing iai 1, 2 and 3 extensively and worked with 4a and 4b some.

Hiroko and Lynette today. Cutting pattern 1 and one attack parry.

As Darrell’s last class, we went through all green belt requirements as if it were a test, then finished with some one, two and three attack parry.

Worked with Hiroko and Darrell today. Next week is Darrell’s last, so I will be making a best effort to get him together with Black Sensei before he goes.
Today we practiced Standing Iai 6 a bit, then worked through Kneeling Iai 1 through 7b. We then switched to shanai and practiced free fighting techniques 1 through 4.

Today we had Hiroko and Darrell, plus Cody, a relative of Darrell, and Brandon. Hiroko has them started on stance and head cuts when I arrived. I took over and we covered head, temple and wrist strikes, then followed with head and temple blocks. For the last several minutes of class, I had them take up shanai and pair off to practice head strikes and blocks together.

Class today was just Lynette and for part of class, her friend Carla as an observer. We first worked on thinking in combinations and setting up our opponent. The first combination was right wrist, left wrist, head and right-pass shooting star. The next combination was left temple, right temple, left temple, right waist (an adaptation of the WCoS Mantis). Both combinations set the opponent into a high-guard mentality then drop under the guard to find the opening we have created.
We then switched to shanai and practiced free fighting techniques one through four, working on providing a clearly defined deliniation between stances and techniques.

Class with Hiroko, Darrel and Lynette today. Started with a few laps of any attack advancing to the end and any block retreating to the start point, then went through kneeling iai 1 through 5. Switching to shanai, we went through cutting pattern a few times with each of the others present, then started working on the free fighting techniques 1 through 4. A couple key points I made today regarding free fighting techique 4 were that the second technique, which is the bash, needs to be strong and pronounced in order to clear the way for your counter attack, and there should be a significant weight shift along with the hip motion in the final technique, changing your ma and imparting greater power to your killing blow. One other point of importance was proper distancing, making sure that the last three or four inches of the blade are passing through the opponents temple, not six to nine (or more) and not less. This makes the best use of the rotational velocity and power of the sword while providing enough depth for a killing blow.

Started class today with Hiroko and Darrel and Lynette joined us later on. We reviewed kneeling iai 1 through 7b and standing iai 1 through 6. Kneeling iai 7a and 7b where new for Darrel and Lynette and we spent a bit of time on them. I spoke with Darrel about trying to get him together with our sensei, Tom, so that he may be reviewed and I hope perhaps even test for his first rank, green belt.

Class with Hiroko, Darell and Lynette today. We warmed up with some basic cuts followed by combinations of between three and five attacks. We then worked on Standing Iai 6 for a while and finished with a little bit of shooting star technique.

I initially worked one-on-one with Lynette, the only other student that could make it today. We reviewed Standing Iai 1, 2 and 3. Tom was then able to join us for a half hour and he took over, continuing the review of Standing Iai 1 through 5, then working with me one-on-one on Standing Iai 6. During Standing Iai 3, I asked about the 180 turn and how high (or low) to jump. Tom stated that he felt a strong articulate jump was in order, rather than a low grounded jump. One application I mentioned in relation to this would be to evade a low sweep from a spear, staff, etc, though he did say that the jump should certainly not be too extreme.

In summary, Standing Iai 6 begins with a crouching temple block with hilt, rise and lift right knee, drawing and deflecting a spear to the right, stepping forward into right kendo stance with a head cut. Shift into right back stance and begin putting away sword, then draw with a pomel strike forward right right front stance, shift 180 to left stance and advance to right front stance with head cut. Place sword in crooked right arm and turn 180 counter-clockwise on right foot into right back stance. Flip and shake and put sword away.

I also asked another question of Hiroko’s regarding etiquette. At the beginning of a formal class, students first do a standing bow to the flag, then kneel and bow to their sensei, then last respect their sword.

Class with Hiroko, Darrel and Lynette today. Reviewed Standing Iai 1 through 5 in detail.

Hiroko and Darell and I today. Warmed up with basic cuts, including taking a look at thrusts. Did some cutting pattern 1 pairings, then used padded “boffer” weapons for some free sparring with care taken regarding head attacks. Finished with some three-attack parry drills.

Just Darell and myself today. Reviewed iai and free fighting techniques one through six.