I remember in the olden days, as a low ranked yudansha, becoming quite excited every time we were shown a new weapons pair form. We videoed it, usually from multiple angles, for future reference, and practiced until it was duly … Continue reading
We have been in home quarantine for the past week. During previous lockdowns, we have been able to send the kids out for a bike ride or a run to break up the monotony. This time, we were caught up … Continue reading
There is a danger that when students train regularly with weapons that they become blasé, when the danger should be the weapons training itself. There can be no lasting benefit, physically, mentally, or spiritually, in martial arts training, if it … Continue reading
I finished making two bokuto for myself out of spotted gum. The larger one is only intended for suburi. I wanted it to resemble an oar, but still have the curve and balance of a sword. I have used other … Continue reading
Recently, we did suburi in class with a slight change and I was able to observe the power in our techniques from a different perspective. Ji Cho once challenged me after a class to think about the nature of power. … Continue reading
It is an annoying convention for any sword depicted on television or movies to make a metallic schwing sound as it is drawn. Particularly irritating when it is meant to be a katana, given they have a wooden scabbard, so … Continue reading
Under the current restrictions we have been limited to weapons classes only, so suburi is a primary focus. Actually, suburi has always been a primary focus, irrespective of the plague. The main difference now, is that students are having to … Continue reading
When I teach a senior battojutsu class, I rarely need to draw my sword. Sometimes, I can go the whole class without unsheathing the blade even once. Recently, it was necessary for me to take the general class. … Continue reading
In a recent, advanced, sword class one of the bokuto broke. It struck me that this happens a lot less now days than it did in the olden times when we were first introduced to the practice of kiri kaeshi. … Continue reading
Kirikaeshi is a regular part of sword practice. Within our School it is means of practicing set counters for set strikes in rapid succession, in a controlled manner. Recently, when teaching an advanced sword class, I introduced an exercise that … Continue reading