Developing Basic Japanese Sword Techniques

While beginning Kendo students focus a lot of their energies on developing basic techniques, footwork, and partnered Kata with the Shinai (bamboo sword) – the aim of their training is to develop the skills required for free sparring and serious competition.

On the downside, Kendo is much more of a sport than a martial art per se, and the wrist flicking strikes employed can create bad habits for Japanese sword training with a shinken (live blade) or iaito – though one the other side, it does indeed cultivate a strong warrior spirit and is most certainly a test of skill (for more information on Kendo, visit KendoKorner.com). As such, I have heard it said that to be a well balanced swordsman, cross training between the various styles is strongly encouraged.

Indeed, one style that seeks to re-integrate the various somewhat fragmented Japanese sword schools together is Toshishiro Obata’s Shinkendo School.

With a syllabus of Japanese sword training methods more akin to those practiced by the Samurai – it emphasises:

• Suburi (cutting exercises)

• Battoho (drawing techniques)

• Kata (Forms)

• Tachiuchi (Sparring)

• And Tameshigiri (test cutting)

As such, it could be argued that this modern day swordmaster (who is a personal hero of mine since boyhood) is contributing to the evolution and reconstruction of the ancient Japanese sword training techniques.

Japanese Sword Training Kata

It should come as no big surprise that free sparring with live

blades is not a part of Japanese sword training, though at the

highest levels, Masters perform partnered exercises with razor

sharp Shinken.

In Kenjutsu, once the basic Kata have been ‘mastered’ to a high

level, high level students may begin introducing additional

techniques into their partnered Japanese sword training Kata

which can become so fluid it is, for all intents and purposes, free

sparring.

Within some schools, free sparring is developed with heavily

padded bokken known as fukuro shinai. However, the style of

Japanese sword techniques that truly specializes in free sparring

is Kendo.

Below is a fight scene where they use a bokken and other weapons;

This fight scene was from the movie Ame Agaru or After the Rain

or 雨あがる.

According to movie dialogue and end credits, the swordplay is

Mugai Ryu Iaido.Choreographers of sword are Okamoto

Yoshiharu and Nakamura Hiroshi. Fight choreographer is

Otake Ritsuke.

The Beauty of Kata For Japanese Sword Techniques

The great thing about the basic Kata that has been shown in the previous post is, this is one form of the Japanese sword arts training you could actually practice by yourself, anyplace and time, you want. However, it is vitally important that no matter what you do, you need to focus and visualize you attacker when you are practicing as a one person Kata. You need to know where your attacker is regarding your techniques, If you don't focus and visualize your attacker as you are practicing the Kata, it will turn into nothing more than the practice of just a dance, nothing more...... Remember, [repetition doesn't make perfect .... Perfect repetition makes Perfect].

Now as we look at the Kenjutsu Dojo's [schools]. They will more often than not, take a different stand to their techniques. Most all of the Kata's they practice, the student is partnered up with another student. They will normally start with very basic techniques and in time keep leveling up, as their tecnique improves.

While we can clearly see that, there is some crossover between the Iaido and Kenjutsu schools, it is easy to see that Iaido training techniques has an main emphasis on the solo kata technique, while Kenjutsu has a much stronger emphasis on partnered techniques.

I know I have said this several times. But, when learning the Kata it is really important that you take the first basic lessons in a dojo, under a master directions. You can't practice being perfect if you don't know the correct steps to take in the first place. Remember [repetition doesn't make perfect .... Perfect repetition makes Perfect]. So having said that yet again, If you don't get the right direction in the beginning the how can you practice perfect? However, If you still want to try it alone then, there are some high quality instructional DVDs and Books on the market that while they cannot surpass the kind of Japanese sword training available in the dojo. They are a another alternative for those who are set on trying to learn on their own. It would also be good if where you live makes it hard to find or get training and direction from a master in a Dojo.

To get more information on Sword Arts, Please click the link at the top of this page. There will be a lin with more information at that page.

3rd Basic Japanese Sword Techniques

The way most sword arts Dojo's [meaning schools] operate are, they will begin their student off with a very simple Kata [meaning putting a few short lesson together to create a flowing form that comes together as one lesson]. The student will practice this over and over until he can do the Kata in a free flowing manner, with no mistakes.

So, as we look at the case of iaido; The beginning few Kata's are mostly no more than drawing the sword, then delivering a single strike, and re-sheathing the sword. However, these sword training techniques are created to be basic in principle, training the beginning swordsman by creating the fluid and free flowing movements deep into his muscle memory with a constant repetition.

We should know by now, I have said it several times [repetition doesn't make perfect .... Perfect repetition makes Perfect]. Also, repeating these movements, over and over brings on a greater enlightenment, to develop Mushin [one single mind, with true certainty focus] This happens so when the warriors goes into battle, they are able to clear their minds of all things. They are able to be in the moment with one thought, even as they face death...

Please find the third and last example Kata below. I will stress one more time. This is not a game and should not be taken lightly........ To Truly become a great swordsmen you need to fine a mentor/master to guide you down you path.......

KESA GIRI

A vertical cut to the right side of the shoulder (and out through the left armpit) it (1) begins in the same position as the basic overhead cut and (2) then tilts slightly on a diagonal path as it is levered by the left hand.

With the feeling of casting a fishing line it (3) makes contact with the target as the arms are extended and the momentum (4) carries through the target, finishing in a position slightly slower than horizontal, breaking with the elbows touching the body.

Again, be sure not to power it with the right hand but let speed and the weight of the blade do all the work.

This is a very important point to remember whenever you do Japanese sword training - and you will notice the difference from an overly strong technique and a correct one by the sound it makes as it cuts through the air...

To learn more about the sword arts click the link at the top of this page. There will be a link at the next page for more information.

2nd Basic Japanese Sword Techniques

When you look at the heart of the Techniuqe. The center of Japanese sword training are well thought out stages, known as a Kata [forms, laidout plans put together to form one]. These will differ from Dojo to Dojo. However, most of the major techniques of the Japanese sword training arts – Such as; Iaido, Kenjutsu and Kendo will have them to some point or another.

We can see that within these generally basic movements there are several deadly techniques that are based on time tested combat techniques, of ancient times. Through the years of Japans long domestic period of peace, It has been stated that some schools are more ‘pure’ than others. However, the long lasting duels between the Samurai would tell us that the masters have guarded thier secrets throughout ancient times. In a sense, they have passed down through the generations, that would take us a lifetime, or more of knowledge.

Please find the 2nd set of basic skilled techniques, for your pleasure. As stated you should always have proper direction when training in the sword techniques......

YOKO GIRI – SIDE CUT

Much like the basic swing the blade begins (1) facing out horizontally behind you and is (2) ‘levered’ by the left hand, arcing out with the (3) cut making contact with the target and (4) cutting through the other side.

Building Blocks of Japanese Sword Techniques

Here Are a Few Basic Techniques;

Please find below some general basic cuts that form the foundation of any Japanese Sword Techniques;

I would like to remind you that, you will find each style is different. Some of the techniques begin having the sword further back than others, However, some techniques finish with the sword closer to the ground. None of the techniques are wrong, they are just different teachings from different masters and/or Dojo's. However, they still create the same result in the end.

Looking at the traditional Japanese sword training, we find these sword techniques are practiced by the students and masters several thousands of times, before they claim any degree of profection, This is why I stated in an earlier post that it is vital that you get the proper direction. Taking on this lifetime path yourself without a sensei to guide you, can quite possibly take you down the path of creating some very bad habits that would seriously take you years to untrain.

However, having said that a couple of times. Please find below, from a illustration view point, one of the three general cutting techniques. The other two will be in the next two post.

BASIC OVERHEAD CUT

This is the most basic, yet fundamental Japanese sword training cut. From (1) an overhead position, with the sword perfectly horizontal (check in the mirror to make sure) it is (2) cast out, much like casting a fishing rod by pulling with the left hand at the bottom, much like a lever until (3) it makes contact with the head or shoulder of the opponent and then (4) simply drops down to stop horizontally again. The action should be done without ‘power’, allowing the blade to drop down.

A common mistake is to use too much force in the right hand, which is really only just guiding the blade. One way to minimize this is to practice the casting movement holding the sword in the left hand only.

For more information on the sword arts click the link at the top of this page.