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Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho (Movements 4, 5, & 6)

Mark Uchida - Copyright 2003

Kihon Yon (Fundamental No.4)       Hiki waza: Tsubazeriai kara no Hiki Doh

Executed from tsubazeriai, a response is provoked from an opponent to create a window of opportunity.  The opportunity is seized by stepping rearward to separate from the opponent and to strike the point area at the correct interval.

1. Kakarite takes one large step forward and executes a strike to Motodachi’s Shomen and gives kiai: “Men”. 2. Motodachi blocks the strike with the left shinogi (side ridge) of the bokuto. 3. With the attacked blocked, both practitioners take one step forward to the tsubazeriai (locked sword-guard) position. 4. Kakarite presses downward on Motodachi’s tsuba.  Motodachi responds by pushing upward. 5. Feeling the upward response, Kakarite releases the downward pressure to elevate the bokuto, takes a large step backward with the left foot, and executes a strike to Motodachi’s right Doh - giving kiai: “Doh”.  6. Motodachi continues to elevate the arms upward after Kakarite releases from tsubazeriai.

7.  After striking the Doh, Kakarite takes two steps back - chudan is re-established upon the first step backward. 8. Upon Kakarite’s second step, Motodachi brings the bokuto back to chudan-no-kamae and at the same time moves back one step. 9. Both practitioners assume kamae at the yokote-kosa interval, perform toki-kata and then take five reward steps to the tachiai position for the next practice movement.

Lesson Glossary

Key Points:

a. When Kakarite presses downward against Motodachi’s tsuba and Motodachi reciprocates, the pressure given by both sides is applied firmly, but not forcibly.  Additionally, the pressuring should not be performed rapidly as a jolting action, but calm and deliberately so each side learns to correctly read the actions and responses of one another.  b. When blocking Kakarite’s Men attack, Motodachi must receive the attack correctly and with the spirit of Ohji-waza (counterattacking technique).  See, Kihon Hachi (Fundamental #8)

Kinon Go (Fundamental No.5)       Nuki waza: Men, Nuki Doh

In Nuki waza, the respondent of an attack maneuvers to sidestep the attack: simultaneously the respondent takes advantage of the aggressor ‘s commitment to their action to execute a counter attack.

1. Motodachi takes a large step forward, simultaneously executes a strike to Kakarite’s Shomen and gives kiai: “Men”. 2. Kakarite takes a large step forward, but slightly diagonal to the right.  At the same time, Kakarite executes a strike to Motodachi’s right Doh and gives kiai: “Doh”. 3. While continuing to display zanshin, both practitioners pivot on the right foot to face each other, and in the same motion step backward with the left foot to come to chudan-no-kamae. 4. Both practitioners step back to the centerline of the practice area using aiyumi-ashi. 5. Upon returning to the center, both practitioners perform toki-kata from the kohin interval and return to the tachiai position.

Lesson Glossary

Key Points:

a. The step forward to evade Motodachi’s Men attack and allow the Doh strike should be diagonally forward at about a 30 degree angle from the center line of movement – Kakarite should complete the step with their left shoulder just to the outside of Motodachi’s right shoulder.  b. Upon striking Motodachi’s Doh, Kakarite ‘s body should remain facing forward, but the head should turn to maintain eye contact with the opponent. c. After pivoting and stepping backward to re-establish chudan-no-kamae (step #3) the interval is either at Issoku-itto-no-maai or yokote-kosa, depending on the experience level of the practitioners.  (For less experienced practitioners, it may be too difficult to maintain the yokote-kosa interval while returning to the center line of the training area.) d. There is no set number of steps governing the movement back to the centerline to complete the practice – using natural cross-steps, taking as few or as many steps as necessary to return to the centerline of the practice area.

Kihon Roku (Fundamental No.6)       Suriage waza: Kote, Suriage Men

Suriage waza is the technique of maneuvering one’s sword in an upward sweeping motion to glance an attacking sword away from the intended target and deliver a counter attack to the area of opportunity the deflecting action creates.

1. Motodachi takes a large step forward, simultaneously executes a strike to Kakarite’s Kote and gives kiai: “Kote”. 2. Kakarite step rearward and simultaneously moves the bokuto upward in a counterclockwise motion to brush the right side of Motodachi’s bokuto and deflect the Kote attack. 3. Kakarite steps forward and delivers a strike to Motodachi’s Men and gives kiai: “Men”.    4. Together, the practitioners take one step back and assume chudan-no-kamae at the yokote-kosa interval, perform toki-kata, and return to the tachiai position.

Lesson Glossary

Key Points:

a. The suriage and the kaburi (raising of the bokuto overhead) are executed in a single upward motion. b. There should be no pause between Kakarite’s reward step to deflect Motodachi’s attack and the shift in direction forward to deliver the counterattack.

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