In our latest class we explored Hatsumi Sensei's idea of 技掛け変え waza kake kae. Soke entered in very casually, just resting his arms in the jūmonji position.
Bujinkan training in Japan isn't only about training. Sometimes it is about cultural experiences you might have there. And sometimes you might even find healing in the dojo!
My Bujinkan video exploring 浮舟の構 Uki bune no kamae. The appearance of this kamae is virtually identical to 一之構 ichi no kamae but with a different emphasis. Instead of shielding, the kamae has an adaptive, floating quality.
My Bujinkan video exploring the kata 柳骨 Ryūkotsu. The literal translation of this name is willow and bone. But kotsu also means a secret skill. So, the definition I prefer is the secret of the willow.
my Bujinkan video exploring 三法切り Sanpō Giri. I learned these three methods of sword cutting from Hatsumi Sensei. Soke called them 敲く切り Hataku Kiri, 引き切り Hiki Kiri, and 押し切り Oshi Kiri.
my Bujinkan Kuden describing my trip to Arizona to study 抜刀術 Battōjutsu with Peter Crocoll. I went to LAX airport at 6 am and took the short flight to Phoenix. My friend Jeff met me at the airport and I teased him about his konbini pancake obsession.
a student demonstrated the kata 斬上 kiriage. Then I shared my version of this which uses the whole body to drive the cut. What looks like two cuts should be made one. It is a powerful blow that drives through the attacker's body. Even if he had armor on it should move him completely so he is vulnerable. Remember most sword cuts in the Bujinkan are really oshigiri.
We warmed up with 雷光之剣 raikou no ken walking drills. After advancing and retreating, I added the sideways variations. And we finished with circling our opponent with each cut. We continue our study of 剣術 kenjutsu kihon by assuming a kamae Hatsumi Sensei calls 陣中の平の構 jinchū no hira no kamae. This is an old kamae...
We warmed up with 雷光之剣 raikou no ken. After the solo drill, I added advancing and retreating footwork against a partner. This trains both attack and defense with the sword, but also good distance for muto dori. We continue our study of 剣術 kenjutsu kihon with some waza against an attack from 八相之構 hassō no...