Akihiko Sensei trains me in the art of Kenjutsu

[Kwalker394]

*Sits and wait's under a full moon on a cold and windy night watching over a small Koi Fish pond.*

Kenesu: "Hmmmm Sensei's late.....Wonder where he could be."

*Keep's waiting.*

 

[Adachi]

Got a sword?
Proceed to describe for me the impact of its weight, the width, and its general qualities.

 

[Kwalker394]

Sure do ブレードの暗い魂 (Dark soul blade) in my bio ^_^

The weight of this sword is medium but mostly light due to the titanium and Osmium alloy. The width of the blade is roughly around 6-7 inches wide and general qualities, such stated in my bio are: A long blade that is Black and has a Blood stained tint to it with a Silver dragon skull hand guard with horns. This sword has been in countless battles (which explains why the blade is tinted red) over the long, long years since it was crafted from a very special dark metal called Desu· metaru (デス·メタル -Death Metal) which is a Osmium and Titanium Alloy which are the hardest, and strongest metals on earth. The Titanium is there to give the sword its strength, high strength: weight ratio, high ductility, resistance to corrosion and a decently high melting point. Titanium has a relatively lower ability to conduct electricity and heat and has para-magnetic properties. The Osmium gives the sword its density, color, and gives off a soft sheen of red even at night. Because this sword has a high melting point that reaches over 3000°F and has a low ability to conduct heat.

 

[Adachi]

Excellent. Hm, does that happen to be a custom sword?

Alright, speaking from personal experience, what kind of stances would a Kenjutsu user take and why?

 

[Kwalker394]

It's not a CW but it's a sword my character has. I'mtrying to make it a CW lol

Well there are many stances one can take with a sword.
Hold it with both hands out I'm front, hold it with one hand out to the side, on hand out in front, one hand with the sword in it above you while your other hand is facing you target, etc. there are a lot of ways although I think the first one I stated is mostly used with both hands on it.

Why? Because it's what their use to and taught or trained with. Or their fighting style is better with that style.

 

[Adachi]

Okay, hm...
The first stance is called the "Ox" stance. Hold your sword up next to your head so that the blade is pointing straight ahead.

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What might be the purpose of such a stance?

 

[Kwalker394]

*I take my sword and rise it above my head yielding to my right hand. As I do so I spread my feet out in a 3 foot with from each other while also placing my left foot pointing away from my to my side while my right foot is pointing straight ahead as I am. I then raise my left arm up and place it below my arm but wrapped around my head. Blade pointing ahead of me I await my next step.*

The purpose of this stance would to have a higher point of attack over your opponent. Also it would give a wide range of swing although the down sides of this stance would be your left wide open. True you have a higher attack point than your target you also have a lower and slower time to react to a low attack from your opponent.

 

[Adachi]

Excellent. Remember that the hilt of your sword (or handle), must be near your temple while your thumb is beneath the blade, NOT on top of it.
This position, although not as stable as others, protects well, allows a direct threat with its straight thrust, turn to cut diagonally downward, or pull back to cut from underneath.

Now, proceed to lower your sword down beneath you like a standard way of the grasping the sword.

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What might this be used for?

 

[Kwalker394]

*I take my sword (from the first position) and lower it. With my feet still in the same position (as shown in the above image because I'm right handed so in the first image I would look like the above Image) I lower both my right and left hand down to my waist while keeping the blade of the sword upward where the tip of the sword is eye level. Sliding my left hand to the end of the handle and keeping my right hand right below the guard I take shape of the second stance.*

This stance (personally) I like better than the first image. I can have more control of the playing field by my motion of the sword. I still keep a mid high stance while also reducing the time it takes to strike low. I can quickly side step due to my feet's position and my weight disposition. I can also protect my sides since my left hand acts like a pivot and swing the sword down on either side of me protecting/blocking and oncoming attack.

This stance would be used for old timely Samuri defending positions. I would use this stance to defend since it gives me more control and also I would use it as a quick counter attack since I can pivot my hand to control the sword in virtually any direction.

 

[Adachi]

Excellent response. This is known as Pflug stance, or the Plow stance, and as you said, this position allows you to maneuver more easily upon the battlefield.
You must also remember to lead with your dominant leg here, because it is vital to switch positions during this stance. A small step forward or backwards can allow you to turn the tides easily. The point should also be aimed at the opponent's chest or throat and the hilt should be held more off to the side in front of the hip joint rather than dead center between the legs.
Well said about this stance being more defensive. You are completely correct.

Next stance then, known as the Alber stance.

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Lower your hand upon the sword's hilt, pointing the blade down. You can lead with either one of your legs.
What might this be used for?

 

[Kwalker394]

You changed your name

*As I am in the plow stance, I shift my weight and spin to my left leading with my left foot. As I spin I swing my sword downward where the tip of the sword is pointing down. Still using my hand as a pivot and still in the same position my left hand stays, but my right hand Crosses over my left still below the guard.*

This stance is used for a quick attack type of stance. The blade is pointed low for easy blocks to low and mid attacks but since your pivot arm is still high you can also block high attacks as well. With your feets position and angle you can do quick jabs as well as evade. This stance is a type of stance you would use if you're quick.

 

[Adachi]

I did. O_O
---
Excellent response. It's sort of like a feint, the term used in Taijutsu - it seems that you're leaving your chest wide open for an attack, but in fact, that stance allows you to bring your sword up and easily block any moves with just a simple move. Quick counters would be the correct word.
Alright, so we've learned the Ox, Plow, and Fool stances. The last main one is called an Oberhut (from the roof) stance, which is a stance that easily allows you transfer into any other stance.
The stance is almost like you're about to strike down, but you're not. Raise your weapon up around your shoulders, at a 45 degree angle.

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What might such a stance be used for?

 

[Kwalker394]

*I move from the Alber stance and raise my sword over my head and then back behind my head raising both the tip of the sword over my head and my arms to the same level of my head.*

This stance would be used as a power strike stance. You can use the weight of the sword and gravity and your force on the sword to deliver a powerful strike down on your target and as you stated it can be used to quickly change into any other stance as well.

 

[Adachi]

Okay, so when you tilt the sword over your shoulder, your attack are quicker and more deceptive but have less range and strength. Depending upon the angle and prior action, your stance can appear as if the weapon is held behind the head or neck - you can simply create this illusion by moving your waist.
Well done.

So, let's begin with attacks.
What is the difference between an one-handed and a two handed-slash?

 

[Kwalker394]

One handed attacks are mostly weak and more used to deal quick painful attacks. Two handed attacks are really powerful due to being both hands on the sword.

 

[Adachi]

What might be the difference between power and timing with both those slashes?
Also, where would you aim?

 

[Kwalker394]

Power difference would be high as well as timing. The attack power of a one handed quick attack is less because less force is behind it. It gives you more timing because you have greater speed and mobility. A two handed attack on the other hand gives more power but less timing. More power because both hands are on the sword increasing the force. Less timing because your swing is slow and heavy.

A one handed attack I would aim anywhere it could reach but mostly the torso. Two handed would aim for any limb. Arm, leg, head, etc. dealing massive damage.

 

[Adachi]

Perfect response. I have nothing more to cover.

Alright, so...*creates a Shadow Clone*
Take your sword and proceed to perform an one-handed horizontal slash upon him.
Remember in Kenjutsu, always state which hand you use and the type of slash and where you aim it.

 

[Kwalker394]

Understood

*I walk in front of your clone and stop. Looking at his face with a calm expression I raise up my hands on the hilt of my sword while moving my feet. My right hand is on the bottom on the handle while my left is right under the hand guard. My feet, right foot ahead, are evenly spread out as I take my Ox stance. I keep watching your clone and I then quickly swing my sword. Swinging my sword down to my left to where the blade is even with my chest, I then release my left hand. Following the momentum of the downward motion I then pull in with my right arm making the blade to now swing horizontal. I then slash your clone horizontaly in his mid chest section creating a small but deep wound across his chest. Once my sword is past your clones body I steadily put the sword next to me as I stand up straight.*

 

[Adachi]

Beautifully done. T_T *starts crying*
You took advantage of gravity very well here, starting with the Ox stance, and then letting your sword fall towards your chest.
Well done, I have nothing more to add.

So, proceed to strike a two-handed horizontal slash.