Yukizure - Bunkai

Yukizure is the first waza of the Okuden Tachi waza set of the MJER Curriculum...

The Bunkai of Yukizure is that you are being escorted ("escorted" is the literal meaning of "Yukizure") to a place you don't really want to go by two guys you don't really like.  They may not be really bright, because they have left you with your sword.

One of them is on your right, the other one on your left.

While walking with them, you take a smaller step to be behind them, bump onto your left escort from behind, draw and cut the right escort's neck or left shoulder. This cut is one handed, it is Nukitsuke.  Immediately follow up by cutting the other escort with a two handed kirioroshi.

In this video taped on February 1st, 2014, at the Shindai Aikikai of Orlando, FL, Carl Long Kyoshi demonstrates the Bunkai of Yukizure.

If you are interested in learning Traditional Japanese Swordsmanship, the KNBK website provides valuable information about various aspects of the Art, as well as addresses of schools (dojo) licensed to teach Iaijutu in the USA and other countries.

Iai in Auburn

Travis Page Sensei invited me to teach a MJER Iai class at his Auburn Yoshukai  Karate Dojo yesterday, February 12, 2013.

Altogether 9 Yoshukai Karate students attended the class. Some of them had already trained with Patty Heath Sensei at the Dothan Dojo. Some of them were new to the Way of the Sword. 

We spent 2 hours together. First wie practised basics :  Nukitsuke & Kirioroshi, Chiburi & Noto; then the first 2 moves of the Batto-ho : Junto sono Ichi and Ni. 

Later on we switched to Kenjutsu with the first 2 Katachi waza : Deai and Tsukekomi.

When teaching to beginners, I concentrate on the big picture - I want the student to try to memorize the overall "form" of the waza. I am not pushing for perfection for I believe it is counterproductive at this level. I want the student to get an idea of what the whole move is about - so he can picture  himself in the action, and enjoy it !  I believe it is more important than boring them to death asking them to perform a perfect cut.

Basic Sword Handling

Well some people do the work right. 

Here is a nice video about holding, drawing and putting the sword back in it's sheath.

Simple, clear, right to the point. Note how relaxed the hands are.

We always spend a great amount of energy with very tight grips on our Tsuka. Which slows us down and decreases our accuracy. 

This is true of many aspects of our practice. We should strive to achieve maximum result with minimum expense of energy. As beginners we hold to our swords way too strongly and wield it like a battle axe. Our muscles and tendons are not able to operate at their maximum speed or direct the sword properly.

But is this not a lifelong trend ? We spend lots of energy with very tight grips on lots of things, when loosening up would make us so much more efficient...

The study of Martial Arts can help us visualize other aspects of life which are not so easily grasped when we are in the middle of them. Actually it should be one of the main reason to study them.