[Kenjutsu Training] Tybone

[Roy]

Now for the last stance:

Waki No Kamae

Your body: The position is almost the same as Chudan, though with some modifications.
Your right foot most be in behind your left foot, leaving a gap between both legs of approximately the distance between one shoulder from the other. Your right foot will be facing the direction of your body, that is, outside; your left foot will be facing toward your opponent.
Your back most be straight, the leverage of the sword will help you maintain it.

Sword position: Right hand close to the tsuba, left hand directly behind it. Your sword most be pointing at the opposite direction you are facing, with the sharp side away from your body. Your arms shouldn't be so stretched, as you would use a whip-kind motion to slash and gain momentum. The sword will be inclined in a lower Axis than your waist.

Waki kamae is not used in kendo matches, the kamae places the sword to rear opposite from the opponent effectively hiding the sword. Hiding the sword makes it difficult for the opponent to judge the distance for a strike. Appearing defenseless, or inviting the opponent to make a careless attack creates doubt and even fear in the opponent.

Image:

You must be registered for see images

Try out, please.

I slide my left foot forward, leaving a distance between both legs which is about the same as the distance between my shoulders while slightly bending the knee. I then rotate my right foot towards the right for about 90 degrees, bending my right knee slightly aswell. I grip onto the bokken with my left hand, keeping it near the end of the tsuka as I lower it towards waist level with the tip facing backwards. Finally I place my right hand near the bokken's tsuba, gripping onto it as I point the tip of the bokken towards the ground in a downwards angle of about 20 degrees.​

 

[Gin-San]

I slide my left foot forward, leaving a distance between both legs which is about the same as the distance between my shoulders while slightly bending the knee. I then rotate my right foot towards the right for about 90 degrees, bending my right knee slightly aswell. I grip onto the bokken with my left hand, keeping it near the end of the tsuka as I lower it towards waist level with the tip facing backwards. Finally I place my right hand near the bokken's tsuba, gripping onto it as I point the tip of the bokken towards the ground in a downwards angle of about 20 degrees.​

Very well done, do you have in mind any weaknesses and strengths?

 

[Roy]

Very well done, do you have in mind any weaknesses and strengths?

Well, as you said this stance hides the sword, giving the opponent a difficult time so if the opponent makes a careless movement and comes within range you can take them down with a swift rising slash, which I think is the main type of attack this stance is for. It also should be easier with this stance to defend from downward strikes by simply sending the sword upward, although if the opponent would manage to perform a horizental strike towards the left side of the body, it would be more difficult to block the sword and you would have to react by striking the opponent before their slash connects, which in turn requires quite some speed. Although, even if the opponent would land such a strike you could simultanously take out the opponent with the rising slash, but draws ain't no good o-o

 

[Gin-San]

Well, as you said this stance hides the sword, giving the opponent a difficult time so if the opponent makes a careless movement and comes within range you can take them down with a swift rising slash, which I think is the main type of attack this stance is for. It also should be easier with this stance to defend from downward strikes by simply sending the sword upward, although if the opponent would manage to perform a horizental strike towards the left side of the body, it would be more difficult to block the sword and you would have to react by striking the opponent before their slash connects, which in turn requires quite some speed. Although, even if the opponent would land such a strike you could simultanously take out the opponent with the rising slash, but draws ain't no good o-o

Well you are forgetting that you aren't glued in place. If someone is about to strike your side, you could easily move to the opposite side to increase the amount of time you have to defend or even you could move forward to decrease the amount of time your opponent has to strike, making him draw back.

Any questions?

 

[Roy]

Well you are forgetting that you aren't glued in place. If someone is about to strike your side, you could easily move to the opposite side to increase the amount of time you have to defend or even you could move forward to decrease the amount of time your opponent has to strike, making him draw back.

Any questions?

:sy: Seems I didn't really use my head when typing that, no questions o-o

 

[Gin-San]

Now we will move to the next step: offensive strikes (which involve actual kenjutsu techniques).

Before getting into actual practical movement, let's go through the theory. Do you now the difference between:

1. Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal strikes?

2. Upward and Downward strikes?

3. One handed and two handed strikes (beside the obvious)?

4. The positioning in your hand in the sword handle?

 

[Roy]

Now we will move to the next step: offensive strikes (which involve actual kenjutsu techniques).

Before getting into actual practical movement, let's go through the theory. Do you now the difference between:

1. Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal strikes?

2. Upward and Downward strikes?

3. One handed and two handed strikes (beside the obvious)?

4. The positioning in your hand in the sword handle?

1. I feel like vertical strikes are the most basic in kenjutsu where as horizental and diagonal strikes are more versatile in use o-o

2. Not sure, but I think that upward strikes, although not being as powerful as downwards due to the strength put in are less risky to use, since when the opponent would block a downward strike around head level, your stomach would be left wide open, although in such a situation you'd be able to simply leap backwards.

3. With one-handed strikes one has more mobility over his movements because he's not using his full body making it easier switch to defense while attacking, but this comes in exchange for strength, since two-handed strikes have alot more strength behind them but as one-handed strikes offer more mobility, two-handed strikes have less mobility.

4. Let's see.. with two-handed strikes your dominant hand(usually the right) has to be positioned at the top of the handle with the other hand behind it where as with one-handed strikes you can use either hand at either end of the handle, but common knowledge tells me that when holding something at the edge it's heavier but has a increased reach, so when holding it at the end of the handle the reach increases, useful for things such as lunges but less effective when slashing, where as when holding it one-handedly at the top of the handle it's easier to move the sword around.

Theoretical stuff isn't really my strongest point o-o

 

[Gin-San]

1. I feel like vertical strikes are the most basic in kenjutsu where as horizental and diagonal strikes are more versatile in use o-o

2. Not sure, but I think that upward strikes, although not being as powerful as downwards due to the strength put in are less risky to use, since when the opponent would block a downward strike around head level, your stomach would be left wide open, although in such a situation you'd be able to simply leap backwards.

3. With one-handed strikes one has more mobility over his movements because he's not using his full body making it easier switch to defense while attacking, but this comes in exchange for strength, since two-handed strikes have alot more strength behind them but as one-handed strikes offer more mobility, two-handed strikes have less mobility.

4. Let's see.. with two-handed strikes your dominant hand(usually the right) has to be positioned at the top of the handle with the other hand behind it where as with one-handed strikes you can use either hand at either end of the handle, but common knowledge tells me that when holding something at the edge it's heavier but has a increased reach, so when holding it at the end of the handle the reach increases, useful for things such as lunges but less effective when slashing, where as when holding it one-handedly at the top of the handle it's easier to move the sword around.

Theoretical stuff isn't really my strongest point o-o

Good description.
Let's move into some practical stuff then.

(Ken Rendan no Jutsu) - Sword Barrage Technique

Spoiler

Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 25
Description: With this technique, the user will make a sequence of slashes with their sword and finishes with a powerful final slash dealing liberal damage to their enemy.

The description is extremely vague, which is why free form is an essential part of kenjutsu. For Ken Rendan no Jutsu, you will execute a sequence of different slashes with your sword, ending with a powerful ending strike. Well, the first initial attacks will be kind of shallow, though their objective is not actually to cut the opponent, but to stagger him and make him unable to defend once he is open by a succession of fast strikes. It would be primordial to use a one handed style for this in order to be able to cover combinations faster, and also to have your hand close to the handle. For the last strike, I would suggest using a two handed strike, and if possible, downward. This way you will gain a boost thanks to gravity.

Now, because I'm actually a samurai and cannot make any shadow clones, he will not do this with them. Instead, you will be practicing with this guy over here *grabs a random passerby* using bokken.

Now, try it out ^^

 

[Roy]

Good description.
Let's move into some practical stuff then.

(Ken Rendan no Jutsu) - Sword Barrage Technique

Spoiler

Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 25
Description: With this technique, the user will make a sequence of slashes with their sword and finishes with a powerful final slash dealing liberal damage to their enemy.

The description is extremely vague, which is why free form is an essential part of kenjutsu. For Ken Rendan no Jutsu, you will execute a sequence of different slashes with your sword, ending with a powerful ending strike. Well, the first initial attacks will be kind of shallow, though their objective is not actually to cut the opponent, but to stagger him and make him unable to defend once he is open by a succession of fast strikes. It would be primordial to use a one handed style for this in order to be able to cover combinations faster, and also to have your hand close to the handle. For the last strike, I would suggest using a two handed strike, and if possible, downward. This way you will gain a boost thanks to gravity.

Now, because I'm actually a samurai and cannot make any shadow clones, he will not do this with them. Instead, you will be practicing with this guy over here *grabs a random passerby* using bokken.

Now, try it out ^^

I tuck my bokken into the left side of my belt as I slide my right foot forward while slightly adjusting the angle of my body by moving rotating my upper body in a counter-clockwise manner slightly. I then bend through my knees and grip onto the bokken with my right hand, positioning it near the tsuba, performing a stance similair to that used when performing a quickdraw. I then proceed by running towards my opponent with my right hand still holding onto the bokken's handle as I observe his movements intently and a split second before I enter his reach I draw the bokken from my belt immediately followed by a diagonal strike from the right side of the opponent's abdomen towards his left shoulder. However, this initial strike is only a feint as my goal was to miss the opponent by a hair. as I finish my swing, my right arm aswell as the tip of the bokken is pointing diagonally upwards towards the right. I then move up my left hand, swiftly positioning it onto the handle of the bokken just below my right hand as I bring down the sword in a horizental position. I then shuffle forward slightly as I perform a horizental strike towards the opponent's waist area, although the strike itsself is very shallow and if it'd hit it'd merely leave a shallow cut and again, this strike was only meant to be a way to attempt to stagger the opponent. Having finished the horizental strike, still holding onto the bokken with both hands I raise the bokken upward, preparing the jodan stance and then as I step forward with my left foot, entering the range required for a fatal strike I slash the bokken downwards in a quick, yet powerful motion.
​

 

[Gin-San]

I tuck my bokken into the left side of my belt as I slide my right foot forward while slightly adjusting the angle of my body by moving rotating my upper body in a counter-clockwise manner slightly. I then bend through my knees and grip onto the bokken with my right hand, positioning it near the tsuba, performing a stance similair to that used when performing a quickdraw. I then proceed by running towards my opponent with my right hand still holding onto the bokken's handle as I observe his movements intently and a split second before I enter his reach I draw the bokken from my belt immediately followed by a diagonal strike from the right side of the opponent's abdomen towards his left shoulder. However, this initial strike is only a feint as my goal was to miss the opponent by a hair. as I finish my swing, my right arm aswell as the tip of the bokken is pointing diagonally upwards towards the right. I then move up my left hand, swiftly positioning it onto the handle of the bokken just below my right hand as I bring down the sword in a horizental position. I then shuffle forward slightly as I perform a horizental strike towards the opponent's waist area, although the strike itsself is very shallow and if it'd hit it'd merely leave a shallow cut and again, this strike was only meant to be a way to attempt to stagger the opponent. Having finished the horizental strike, still holding onto the bokken with both hands I raise the bokken upward, preparing the jodan stance and then as I step forward with my left foot, entering the range required for a fatal strike I slash the bokken downwards in a quick, yet powerful motion.
​

*I appear between you guys, grabbing your bokken with my bare-hands as both of you strike, I am completely unharmed by the strikes*

Well you get it, that's very good.

Don't be destroying your opponent's bones or killing him off so quickly... we need him for training... baka!


(Ikari Nomikomu no Jutsu) - Fury Swallow Technique

Spoiler

Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 25
Description: The user punches the opponent a few times and finishes them with two final slashes with their blade or sword.

Well for this one you actually integrate taijutsu. Punch your enemy a couple of times then finish it with two strikes. You can add some kicking into it also.
Let's see how you do.