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Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho (Movements 7, 8, & 9)

Mark Uchida - Copyright 2003

Kinon Nana (Fundamental No.7) Debana waza: Debana kote

This is the technique of striking at the moment the opponent begins an attack.

1. Motodachi moves the right foot forward and elevates the tip of the bokuto upward to expose the Kote. 2. Kakarite takes a quick step forward and strikes Motodachi’s right Kote and gives kiai: “Kote”. 3. Kakarite takes two steps back after striking the Kote.  4. As Kakarite take their second step back, Motodachi withdraws the right foot to its original position and re-establishes chudan-no-kamae.  5. Both practitioners complete the movement by performing toki-kata from the yokote-kosa interval, and then taking five steps back to the tachiai position.

Lesson Glossary

Key Points:

a. Kakarite strikes Motodachi’s Kote with a quick extension of the arms and wrists – a large overhead swing is not prescribed for this movement.

Kinon Hachi (Fundamental No.8)       Kaeshi waza: Men, Kaeshi Migi-Doh

In this waza, the sword of the aggressor is blocked with the shinogi of one’s own sword.  The recoil from the block is then used to turn the sword to execute a counter attack.

1. Motodachi takes a large step forward and simultaneously executes a strike to Kakarite’s Shomen and gives kiai: “Men”. 2. Kakarite starts a forward-diagonal step, elevates the bokuto with the tip angled to the right, and blocks the Men attack with the left shinogi (left side of the bokuto).  Immediately after the block, Kakarite delivers a strike to Motodachi’s right Doh and gives kiai: “Doh”.  [The entire movement performed within a single step.] 3. 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, perform toki-kata from the yokote-kosa interval, and return to the tachiai position.

Lesson Glossary

Key Points:

a. The kaeshi waza and the Doh strike are done in a single, fluid motion – the entire movement performed in a single, diagonal step forward.   b. Kakarite’s diagonal step forward should travel 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.  c. Upon striking Motodachi’s Doh, Kakarite ‘s body should be facing forward, but the head should be turned to maintain eye contact with the opponent. d. 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.) e. There is no set number of steps governing the movement back to the centerline to complete the movement – using natural cross-steps, take as few or as many steps as necessary to return to the centerline of the practice area.

Kihon Kyu (Fundamental No.9)       Uchiotoshi waza: Doh uchiotoshi Men

Also known as Kiriotoshi waza, this technique follows the concept of overcoming an opponent by “killing” their sword.  The respondent strikes the aggressor’s sword from its intended path and delivers a counter attack.  In some instances of this technique, the deflection of the attacking sword and the counter attack are simultaneous.

1. Motodachi steps forward, executes an attack to Kakarite’s right Doh and gives kiai: “Doh”.  2.  Kakarite takes a quick, diagonal step to the left rear and bats the attacking bokuto downward.  Kakarite immediately steps forward, strikes Motodachi’s Men and gives kiai: “Men”. 3. Both practitioners turn to face each other and, at the same time, take one step back and assume chudan-no-kamae. (see Kihon Hachi, key point d.)

4. Both practitioners step back to the centerline of the practice area using aiyumi-ashi. 5. Both take the sonkyo posture, withdraw their bokuto, and then retreate back to the tachiai position.  6. The bokuto are changed from the left hand to the right hand and ritsurei is performed, thus completing the practice.

Lesson Glossary

Key Points:

a. There should be no pause between the Uchiotoshi waza and the Men strike.  The entire process should be done in a single, fluid movement.     b. Kakarite’s diagonal step to the left rear should be executed naturally and allowing proper distance to permit a correct strike forward to the Men.

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