Great workout tonight! After going through kneeling iai 1 through 7b, we switched to shanai and worked on cutting basics, covering head, temple and waist cuts (right and left) advancing back and forth across the room. We then began three cut combos (such as head – left temple – right temple and right temple – left waist – head). After a thoroughly sweaty bout of this, we each had our turn at the front of the room while the other students and our instructor “machinegunned” us with head cuts, then right temple cuts, our task being to make effective blocks.
I think the one item I noticed most tonight that I need to work on is making a good vertical load before a temple cut, rather than the full circle temple cut I do in the Western Circle. Our instructor said the full circle is good if you are looking for a powerful cut, but for a faster and less obvious cut, load vertically.
Tag: kendo
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An excellent class tonight. We focused the entire class on Standing Iai 1 through 5. My #1 needs some work on the flick-advance-strike. The rest went smoothly.
Some subtlties I enquired after;
– There is less emphasis on the standing iai beginning and ending position (unlike Shotokan Kata), the more important issue being a general preparedness to adjust distancing as needed for opponents.
– When advancing in standing iai 4a, the hips remain at a constant level. You should not rise up into a taller jodan position, then sink into the next stance with the cut. I suspect this applies in general to most cases unless explicitly said otherwise.
– When making the small leap and turn in standing iai 3, it should be performed in such a way that you neither travel forward or back at all. In actual usage, it would travel as needed to provide correct distancing to your opponent. -
The class of six tonight went well. We covered kneeling iai 1 through 7a, then switched to shanai and worked with partners on One-Steps 1 through 4 (defense and counter for two head cuts and two wrist cuts). I need to do more practice on my own when I miss a class. There weren’t any major revelations tonight and no new material. I’d like to work basic cuts and blocks a bit more, but I should probably be doing that on my own time.
We ended with two at a time going in front of the class to demonstrate requested iai or One-Steps. Sean and I got One-Steps 1 through 4. I did not maintain my focus very well (hence the need for more practice) and presented the wrong target on number 3, plus made a head rather than a wrist attack for number 4 and rushed my own defense and counter for number 4. It needs much work. Before next class, I will review all this and the standing iai which we are sure to cover next Monday.
I brought in my WCoS armor today and showed it to my instructor after formal class. It was apparent he would prefer something he is more familiar with and used to, despite my explaination that I do full contact boken combat in this armor. Incidentally, I’m not opposed to using “certified kendo armor”, but since I already have this, it’s cheaper. At the least, I hope I can use the body armor, only requiring a standard issue Kendo helmet. -
Another good class tonight, again with four students. We rapidly reviewed the kneeling iai 1 through 7b, then learned the 8th. You rise almost directly straight up into jodan position, then step forward and slightly out with the right foot, then match it with the left, making a head strike. This is then repeated making the strike to the waist level. Bringing your blade to jodan, the right leg slides back and you kneel onto the right knee, bringing the blade in a slow cut down to horizontal. You then reverse your right hands grip, use your left to retrieve a cloth from with your gi, then wipe your blade clean and put it away.
Honestly, I didn’t like this one much at all, but it’s a part of the style, and as such must be learned.We then reviewed the standing iai 1 through 5, then switched to shanai. With our shanai, we reviewed the free fighting patterns one and two. The first is a head cut, blocked by a head block, counters with a drop to left knee and waist cut, blocked by waist block, counters with jodan head cut, blocked with head block, countered by flip of sword and a D-cut starting just below the ribs as you slide in and cutting back out finishing at the hip as you pass by.
The second is similar, begining with a left temple cut, blocked by a temple block, countered by a drop to left knee and waist cut, blocked with waist block, countered with jodan head cut, blocked with head block, countered with shooting star draw cut.
(By no means is this a comprehensive explanation (obviously), but it is the gist of the motions and should serve as a reminder for anyone that is taught the technique by a ranked instructor.)At the end of class we were told that a second set of armor is on it’s way so we may begin sparring soon. I have to get my WCoS armor cleaned up and bring it in to see if I will be allowed to wear it, which would be my preference. I know I need to work a little more on my face guard first.
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Class has been moved to 8:30 through 9:45 and tonight there were only four of us. There may be a Saturday morning spot selected also or in place of this Monday night class, but for now this is the schedule. Which is okay, it means I can get more done in the evening before class, and my original Western Circle of Swordfighters class ran from 7:00 until 10:30 or even 11:00 on occasion (incidentally, THOSE were some good classes!).
Tonight we went through kneeling iai 1,2,3,4,5,6,7a and 7b!
Number six I had forgotten. It begins at a 45 degree to the right, rises onto the right knee, blocking to your left, then rises to both feet, making a left-circling head cut, left foot forward. You then step back into right-forward backstance, blade held back and verticle, shake & double shake, then put the sword away.
Numbers 7a and 7b are both assisted sepulka, the first rising to the left knee, then standing in natural stance as your blade ascends horizontally, then step into right front stance with a right kneck cut ending close to the ground. The second rises into a left-forward backstance, blade over head pointing forward, then advance to right front stance and same cut.
After kneeling iai came standing iai 1,2,3,4a, 4b and 5, the last three new to me. Standing eyoi are in sets of three; the first begins with a horizontal draw, the second with a rising arc draw, the third with a downward arc draw. Number 4a draws in right front stance, advances to left front stance with left kneck cut, advances to right front stance with right kneck cut, shifts to back stance, blade behind, then shake, second shake, and away.
Number 4b begins the same, drawing and advancing to left front stance with cut, then the right leg sweeps forward with your blade, turning you 180, then you advance to right front stance with cut. Katana is tipped back into the crook of your right arm and you spin 180 again, shake, second shake and put the blade away.
With all this, we still managed to grab our shanai and go through the first four shanai drills (left and right head blocks and wrist blocks with associated counter attacks).
After class, I asked about shoulders and wrists, specifically when making a low-target angled cut. In the WCoS, the wrist is not to be bent down (“broken”) to keep a strong cut. Here, the shoulders are to remain as forward facing a possible and the left wrist appears to bend down to accomodate the cut. He confirmed what I had observed, but said he would bring it up with his instructor(s) as when the chance arose. -
Tonight’s class began with kneeling iai, as usual. We went from one through seven, which was two new ones for me. To summarize the seven I now know; (1) attack opponent to the front, (2) attack opponent to your right, (3) attack opponent to your left, (4) attack opponent at your back, (5) attack distant opponent to the front, blocking a cut, then finishing them, (6) begin on 45 diagonal blocking left then rising and countering, (7a) assist another with honorable seppuku.
We then moved on to reviewing the first three standing iai. For the final section of class, we worked on the first two free fighting patterns with shanai (everything else having been with katana boken).
It was a good class and I’m glad to be getting back into the routine, even if it does limit my evenings.