class with hiroko and lynette.

Class with Hiroko and Sammy. We covered all the basic cuts and blocks, including introducing Sammy to the waist cuts and blocks. We then covered the Cutting Pattern 1, initially shadow boxing it and finishing class by pairing off, rotating in the odd person.

Class with Hiroko, Lynette and Sammy. Basic cuts and blocks for head, temple and wrist.

Class today was Hiroko, Lynette, Sammy (a new student), and myself. Due to the new student, we covered cutting basics, going over all basic cuts (head, temple, wrist and waist) and new the end of class I started on head block with the new student while Hiroko and Lynette practiced the complete cutting pattern.
We had moved the class up to 11am, however there appears to be another class in the main gym until 11:15, so we’ll look into possibly holding ours at noon instead.

Hiroko, Lynette and I met tonight with the intention of working with Black Sensei, however he was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. None the less, we had a good review of all kneeling and standing iai in our repoitore (kneeling 1 – 7b and standing 1 – 6). Hiroko and I also did some of the refined strikes drill back and forth, working on control, targeting, and movement. Tom will hopefully be available Monday, Sept 10th at 9pm.

Class today with Hiroko initially and Lynette joined us late. With Tom holding class this coming Monday, we focused a lot on details and making sure we are ready to receive some new material. Hiroko and I used the cutting pattern to review cuts and blocks, initially shadow boxing just the cuts and analyzing details, then just the blocks to again analyze details, then went through the cutting pattern together several times. Lynette arrived and we started in on standing iai, reviewing one through six.

Todays class was with Hiroko and Lynette. We first warmed up by reviewing Standing Iai 1, 2 and 3, focusing on refining technique. I then taught the Refined Strikes drill from WCoS teachings where a partner (uke) stands in ready position with sword reversed along forearm, behind the back or otherwise out of the way. The other student then makes several cuts using their uke as target, practicing control, form and correct placement. Every cut should contact the uke lightly but with discernible pressure. There are a few levels to this practice. Initially, the aggressor may simply engage and make a set pattern of cuts, such as the cutting pattern, then disengage. The next stage is to engage and make a random set of 10 – 15 cuts, then disengage. The final stage is to engage and make 10 – 15 random cuts while shifting from left to right as appropriate, avoiding patterns and pauses, and at 50% to 75% combat speed.
Both Hiroko and Lynette performed at stages 1 and 2 and I ended class with each of them as an uke for myself as I performed at stage 3. They both commented that it was a good drill that they felt they learned much from.

Note: No class last week due to other engagements.

Class with Lynette and Rick. We reviewed all cuts and blocks, then started in on Standing Iai 1. Near the end of class, I also briefly introduced Standing Iai 2 for contrast and comparison.

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.