KYUHONME TSUKIKAGE SITUATION AND INTENTION Sitting in Seiza facing diagonal to Shomen. An opponent walks forward and starts to take Kirioroshi from Jodan no Kamae. Draw the sword and cut upward aiming for the opponent’s left or both wrists. As the opponent steps backwards, pursue him taking a positive Kirioroshi. POSITION Whilst sitting in Seiza facing off Shomen (15 to 30 degrees) as in (A). An opponent walks toward you and starts to attack. As in diagram (B), the angle from Shomen does not have to be 15 degrees. Up to 90 degrees is acceptable.

MOVEMENT

a) Start to draw the sword focusing Metsuke on the standing opponent.

b) Take one step forwards towards Shomen with the right foot and take Nukitsuke aiming at the opponent’s wrist(s).

c) On Nukitsuke action the left foot is just off the ground (floor).

d) The edge travels from left to right to cut the opponent’s wrist which is in the Jodan position.

e) At this moment, Metsuke is upon the opponent’s eyes. Not on the Kissaki or the target.

f) Next , bring the left foot to the level of the right one. Bring the sword up into Jodan to take a large Kirioroshi to the opponent’s Shomen, stepping forward with the right foot.

g) Attack with the left hand on the left hip. Swing the sword right forward and bring the fist to a position just off the right temple.

Next take a large Chiburui bringing the left foot to meet the right at the same time.

h) Pull the right foot one step backward and do Noto which is completed in a standing position.

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR POINTS

NUKITSUKE

1, When the opponent tries to attack from the Morote Jodan posture, take one step forward with the right foot towards Shomen and draw the sword out as in Nukitsuke, aiming for the opponent’s wrist(s) with the left knee slightly raised. The sword is drawn from a low position to the upper right, an action similar to Gyaku-kesa-giri (reverse Kesa-giri). With the edge pointing slightly right upwards.

In a single handed technique a minimum angle between the arm and the blade must be maintained to produce a positive result. Also an essential hip twisting action in the opposite direction is made at the same time. Consequently a single handed cut with the arm and sword on a straight line is quite useless and lacks power practically and logically. This is because the arm swing is generated from the weight of the sword. If a single handed cut is inevitable, it is far better to cut diagonally.

In case where a standing opponent attacks a sitting target there is no time to prepare to take satisfactory counter action under these conditions the left knee is slightly off the ground.

ATTACKING ACTION WHILST STANDING

Stand up with Kiritsuke action and aim at the standing opponent’s Kote (wrist) with the right foot forward. Bring the left foot to the right at the same time Jodan Kamae is taken up. Then make another double handed Kirioroshi stepping forward again with the right foot. The timing between Nukitsuke and Kiritsuke is neither fast or slow. Nukitsuke with Kiritsuke catches the opponent’s Kote. As he hesitates with the injuries incurred, one pursues and finishes with a large Kirioroshi. Therefore it is not necessary to take a hurried Kirioroshi. Cut dynamically will full Tanden power. If this action is too fast it will finish looking like the Kendo method of Ki, Ken, Tai, Ichi. In Kendo the Ken (swordwork) and Tai (body and footwork) must meet together. However in Iaido the upper body, hips, waist and foot position must be positively prepared before taking cutting action.

Prepare a good foundation, ready the lower half of the body, then take Kirioroshi action. This is the Iaido method. A combination of foot, hips, hand technique is Kendo method.

NOTO

In Tsukikage, Noto action is taken from a standing position. However the feel must be the same as that of a kneeling Noto. A display of strong Zanshin and pride is a requisite. Also in any form of Noto the hips must neither rise or fall during action. The hips must be held horizontal until Noto action is complete.

The right hand (fist) movement in Noto should look like diagram (B) Inscribing a big loop when the Kissaki meets the Koikuchi will result in a loss of Zanshin power. Sayabiki (pulling back the Saya) with the left hand in Noto and Nukitsuke is also a very important point.

Not only Sayabiki but also left hand control in pushing the Saya down is important in making a smooth Noto.

JUPPON-ME & JUIPPON-ME

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