Hatsu Geiko 初稽古

Training with Sensei at the Honbu has concluded for the year.  The first training of the next year will be on Jan 14th.

Jinen Ryu Iai Shiho Giri 自然流居合四方切り

This sort of goes for all sword techniques, but was brought during this Kata.  This seems both very obvious and very new at the same time.

"At the end of your (sword) cut your arms don't end up in the same position as in kamae, rather they are slightly extended.  You have to bring your arms back in to return to kamae.  This is not a huge difference (Sensei indicated a space of about three inches with his fingers) but it is significant.  Your right arm should be extended more, with your left waki squeezed tight.  This is the same for karatakewari and do giri"

Training with Sword

The Dojo Cho from Australia asked how to handle opponents who are smaller or shorter than you.
"If you go into Dai Jo Dan, the only option is to cut down. If you take this Kamae, it is because you have judged your opponent to be not as skilled as you, therefore you do not have to resort to any other than cutting him down. If you deem the opponent to be superior or strong, then select a Kamae like Ge Dan no Kame which allows you to cut up from below. Cutting up from below is always the strongest attack. Seigan no Kamae can be used to evaluate an opponent and control him."

Jinenryu Iai Shihogiri 自然流居合い四方切り

Additional points highlighted.
*Don't move anything that shouldn't be moving includes your face. No puffing, grunting or anything. The same face as as when you started...still, calm.
*Don't sacrifice dynamic movement for the sake of concentrating on your footwork. You should still end up back where you started though.
*Sensei put tape on the mats in front of each toe to mark the start and finish point. You are allowed to take two steps to re-position yourself at the end of the Kata.

Cutting

We cut bamboo in the new area set up beside the shuriken target.  The advice Sensei gave :

*Don't try to cut only with arm strength, sink your hips

*Aim to cut just above the tsuba 

*Don't cut big chunks off, go for smaller pieces (細かいkomakai)

*If you don't maintain a tight grip on your sword for the whole cut your sword will turn and you will cut the bamboo vertically, where it is weakest.

Jinen Ryu Iai Shiho Giri 自然流居合四方切り

As Sensei watched us he commented:

"You all are starting to develop some (個性 kosei) individuality in how you do the Shiho Giri."

"Is that bad?" i asked.

"No, its not bad habits, but your personalities are coming through when you do this Kata."

Togakure Ryu 戸隠流

While working on the various Te no Uchi techniques Sensei talked about Ma-ai:

*"Entering the Issoku Ittou Ma-ai means that you are mentally prepared to attack or be attacked.  If you are not ready, jump back and take some distance and reset yourself."

*Several of the Togakure Ryu techniques use any of the three Kamae where you are not holding Me Tsubushi.  ie.  Ichi no Kamae, Hira Ichi Mon Ji and Hatchi Mon Ji.  

"Hatchi Mon Ji no Kamae is a strong Kamae. You are aggressive. Your hand is piercing your opponent's heart.  Its like If you are going to attack, attack. If not, I am going to."  You wait for the other two Kamae, but for Hatchi Mon Ji, its like this."