my Bujinkan video exploring 諸手の構え Morote No Kamae with the 短刀 Tantō. This just means a two handed kamae. We use both hands to support the knife during a draw, during a parry, and for a slash or thrust.
my Bujinkan video exploring the Bujinkan kata 一撃 Ichigeki. We began class with a warmup using 体変術無刀捕型 Taihenjutsu Mutōdori Gata. There are three of these, along with some natural henka.
my Bujinkan video continuing with our warmup series focusing on the proper distance for 小太刀 kodachi. Kodachi is one of the weapons of juppo sessho along with jutte, tessen, and kunai.
We began by creating structure with our kamae, then dropping away in the kukan. Next I explained Hatsumi Sensei’s idea of あも一寸の玉 虫 amo issun no tama mushi, this is a gokui from 高木揚心流 Takagi Yoshin Ryū. We moved into some secret draws and 小太刀 kodachi kihon that I studied with Soke. These come from the 十方折衝 juppo sessho. Then we wrapped up with a high level strategy called 天眼 Tengan. This came directly from Hatsumi Sensei during my recent Japan trip.
my Bujinkan video exploring the Bujinkan kata 虎倒 kotō. We warmed up with 無刀捕 mutōdori kihon. This class had many recent lessons from Japan in it. Even in the warmup, I shared some of what Hatsumi Sensei was doing in Japan last month and it got really advanced. Soke told us, “This muto dori way...
We warmed up with 骨指基本三法 kosshi kihon sanpō. But the attacker cuts with a 小太刀 kodachi. This threat presents unique challenges for each of the kihon. First with 一文字の構 ichimonji no kamae, I showed how to intercept the attack using an early timing for the uke. But what happens if you are late? I showed...
We warmed up with 船張 funa bari. This bojutsu kata really captures the deception inherent with 詒変捌 ihen sabaki. It does this through arcing strikes that can hit anywhere or nowhere. I began class with 一閃 issen. This is one of my favorite 坐り型 suwarigata. First of all the attack itself is dynamic. But the...
We warmed up with 霞掛 kasumi gake. The reflection of this kata is 附入 tsuke iri without the 小太刀 kodachi. I showed a method to parry along the centerline like totoku, then I attack kasumi before wrapping the opponent around the stick. I began class with 変虚 henkyo. I neglected to share the meaning of...
11/14/13 We warmed up with ukemi partner drills. Your partner pushes, pulls, or strikes at different angles. From in front or behind. And you learn to receive. Then we added a knife. There were questions about using intent for the attacker or masking intent. People mistakenly think that the giver of the godan test is...