Keotsu teaches Frozenstein Kenjutsu

[KeotsuEclipse]

*Waits inside my typical training dojo, with bokken and a few training dummies.*

Okay, so here's what we'll be learning...

One-handed Techniques:

• Basic Horizontal
• Basic Vertical
• Basic Stab

Two-handed Techniques:

• Basic Horizontal
• Basic Vertical
• Basic Lunge

Movement:

• Side-stepping
• "Arc"-stepping
• Some other movements

Defense

• Parries
• Blocks
• Countering

Advanced:

• Taijutsu Integration
• Diagonals

Graduation Spar

But before we begin, I have a few questions even though I'm aware I may have asked you before.

Have you had any prior experience with Kenjutsu, and what is Kenjutsu?

 

[Frozenstein]

Kenjutsu is the art of swords. How to wield and use swords (and other weapons if I'm not mistaking). Can be used in conjunction with taijutsu and ninjutsu techniques.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Kenjutsu is the art of swords. How to wield and use swords (and other weapons if I'm not mistaking). Can be used in conjunction with taijutsu and ninjutsu techniques.

Good...but there is more to it than just that.

Kenjutsu itself refers to the art of using the sword, though many swordsman see Kenjutsu much more than "just the proper way to cut someone." Yes, a sword is a weapon, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be treated with proper respect - art of war or not, the use of the sword is still an art.

Now, we still have a bit to figure out before we go on to your training.

Even though we'll be using bokken for this training, do you think you've had enough practice to know what kind of sword you prefer? Like, a longsword, a katana, a nadochi, etc? Different swords will make an impact on how you'll fight in the future, although this training is pretty universal.

But, regardless, before we begin, can you tell me what the differences between a one-handed strike and a two-handed strike might be, besides the obvious?

 

[Frozenstein]

Good...but there is more to it than just that.

Kenjutsu itself refers to the art of using the sword, though many swordsman see Kenjutsu much more than "just the proper way to cut someone." Yes, a sword is a weapon, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be treated with proper respect - art of war or not, the use of the sword is still an art.

Now, we still have a bit to figure out before we go on to your training.

Even though we'll be using bokken for this training, do you think you've had enough practice to know what kind of sword you prefer? Like, a longsword, a katana, a nadochi, etc? Different swords will make an impact on how you'll fight in the future, although this training is pretty universal.

But, regardless, before we begin, can you tell me what the differences between a one-handed strike and a two-handed strike might be, besides the obvious?

I don't have enough experience to decide which is the best for me. I prefer katanas and special long katanas too (however my Alexander bio has a regular sword and a scythe).

One handed strike:
- fast
- harder to predict it's movement
- better accurate
- less strength
- can wield 2 swords at the same time (more dangerous user...)
- more mobility (have a free hand)

Two handed strike:
- slower
- easier to predict it's movement
- normal accurate
- more strength
- only 1 sword in my hands
- less mobility (no free hand)

I think to quickly defeat an opponent we should use 1 handed strikes for quick and precise strikes, and surprise the enemy. If I need more piercing or broking power I should use 2 handed strikes.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

I don't have enough experience to decide which is the best for me. I prefer katanas and special long katanas too (however my Alexander bio has a regular sword and a scythe).

One handed strike:
- fast
- harder to predict it's movement
- better accurate
- less strength
- can wield 2 swords at the same time (more dangerous user...)
- more mobility (have a free hand)

Two handed strike:
- slower
- easier to predict it's movement
- normal accurate
- more strength
- only 1 sword in my hands
- less mobility (no free hand)

I think to quickly defeat an opponent we should use 1 handed strikes for quick and precise strikes, and surprise the enemy. If I need more piercing or broking power I should use 2 handed strikes.

Alright.

And very good.

One-handed strikes have a lot more freedom in their movements, as you're holding it with only one-hand; a two-handed technique is more restricted, as your arms have to move in harmony. While one-handed techniques can generally be chained faster, due to it being easier to change direction, two-handed strikes have much more directional and striking speed (striking speed means that the attack makes contact faster), due to the amount of force behind them. So, two-handed attacks are not always slower. It depends on how you use them - they strike faster, but are chained slower.

Now, with that, we'll begin your training with one-handed horizontal slashes.

A horizontal strike hits on the x-axis, or left to right, side to side, etc.

Now, if you would, please preform a one-handed horizontal strike, and in detail.

 

[Frozenstein]

Alright.

And very good.

One-handed strikes have a lot more freedom in their movements, as you're holding it with only one-hand; a two-handed technique is more restricted, as your arms have to move in harmony. While one-handed techniques can generally be chained faster, due to it being easier to change direction, two-handed strikes have much more directional and striking speed (striking speed means that the attack makes contact faster), due to the amount of force behind them. So, two-handed attacks are not always slower. It depends on how you use them - they strike faster, but are chained slower.

Now, with that, we'll begin your training with one-handed horizontal slashes.

A horizontal strike hits on the x-axis, or left to right, side to side, etc.

Now, if you would, please preform a one-handed horizontal strike, and in detail.

*I pull out my sword from it's sheath and lift up to the level of my chest. Then I move it to my left side and make a horizontal slash from my left to my right while still keeping at the level of my chest.*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Done fairly well. You didn't explicitly state that you were holding the blade with only one hand, though. Though I knew what you were doing, it's small details like that, that make a big difference in battle.

Now, we have vertical slashes. Vertical attacks strike on the y-axis, up and down, etc.

If you would, now, please preform one, and in detail. Remember to put in the direction and how you're holding, as I mentioned above.

 

[Frozenstein]

Done fairly well. You didn't explicitly state that you were holding the blade with only one hand, though. Though I knew what you were doing, it's small details like that, that make a big difference in battle.

Now, we have vertical slashes. Vertical attacks strike on the y-axis, up and down, etc.

If you would, now, please preform one, and in detail. Remember to put in the direction and how you're holding, as I mentioned above.

Oh sorry I forgot that part

*I hold my sword in my right hand and pull it above my right shoulder. Then I make a short step ahead with my left leg and make a vertical slesh with my sword at the same time. This slash is coming from above and aiming around the center of my body. If I have a real opponent it should be cut his/her head into half.*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Oh sorry I forgot that part

*I hold my sword in my right hand and pull it above my right shoulder. Then I make a short step ahead with my left leg and make a vertical slesh with my sword at the same time. This slash is coming from above and aiming around the center of my body. If I have a real opponent it should be cut his/her head into half.*

o_o Sorry about the late reply - I was without internet.

Anyway, nicely done. Remember, though, with vertical slashes and the like, follow your attack through, as if you intend to cut the enemy into two entirely, and not just split their head. It will give you much more strength behind your blows, even if they are stopped.

Now, can you describe to me what a stab is, and why it might be useful?

 

[Frozenstein]

o_o Sorry about the late reply - I was without internet.

Anyway, nicely done. Remember, though, with vertical slashes and the like, follow your attack through, as if you intend to cut the enemy into two entirely, and not just split their head. It will give you much more strength behind your blows, even if they are stopped.

Now, can you describe to me what a stab is, and why it might be useful?

stab is a quick straight attack at the enemy. it's targeting smaller parts of the body and really predictable, but quick too. It's also very usefull in close combats when we don't have the space for a slash or any wide attacks. However it's targeting a small part of the body, if used properly it has the strength to pierce through the enemy and also allow us to target organs what we originally couldn't with slashes. For example heart, groin, etc.

btw. no problem.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

stab is a quick straight attack at the enemy. it's targeting smaller parts of the body and really predictable, but quick too. It's also very usefull in close combats when we don't have the space for a slash or any wide attacks. However it's targeting a small part of the body, if used properly it has the strength to pierce through the enemy and also allow us to target organs what we originally couldn't with slashes. For example heart, groin, etc.

btw. no problem.

That's very good. And actually, no stabs are not very predictable, which makes them good tools - the problem is that they're not always fatal, and if blocked, leave you extremely vulnerable. And also, generally, they don't have an excessive amount of force behind them, which decreases their lethality, though they can still very easily kill. An armored opponent, though, walls stabs, unless you know exactly what to do.

Now, please demonstrate a stab.

 

[Frozenstein]

That's very good. And actually, no stabs are not very predictable, which makes them good tools - the problem is that they're not always fatal, and if blocked, leave you extremely vulnerable. And also, generally, they don't have an excessive amount of force behind them, which decreases their lethality, though they can still very easily kill. An armored opponent, though, walls stabs, unless you know exactly what to do.

Now, please demonstrate a stab.

*First I make a straddle. My sword in my right hand. The tip of the sword point at chest level. Then I take a small step ahead with my left leg while I pull back my right arm a bit to give the stab some dash and strength. Then I make a quick thrust at the cardia level. I don't stretch my hand rather I pull it back fast. Then I make a quick step ahead again, but this time it's bigger than the previous. I also pull back my right arm and make a straight thrust, but now at chest level. I also stretch my arm to make this stab longer and reach far.*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*First I make a straddle. My sword in my right hand. The tip of the sword point at chest level. Then I take a small step ahead with my left leg while I pull back my right arm a bit to give the stab some dash and strength. Then I make a quick thrust at the cardia level. I don't stretch my hand rather I pull it back fast. Then I make a quick step ahead again, but this time it's bigger than the previous. I also pull back my right arm and make a straight thrust, but now at chest level. I also stretch my arm to make this stab longer and reach far.*

Excellent. The thing to remember with stabs is that they are quick, and not meant to go very far or leave you open.

Now, since we covered the difference between two-handed techniques and one-handed techniques earlier, we can move on.

If you would, please preform a two-handed horizontal strike, in detail: remember to accommodate for the fact you're using two hands now.

 

[Frozenstein]

Excellent. The thing to remember with stabs is that they are quick, and not meant to go very far or leave you open.

Now, since we covered the difference between two-handed techniques and one-handed techniques earlier, we can move on.

If you would, please preform a two-handed horizontal strike, in detail: remember to accommodate for the fact you're using two hands now.

*I grab my sword with my left hand too and lift it up near my right shoulder. The tip of the sword is pointing upward. Then I take a small step ahead with my left leg and brandish the blade a bit backwards to gain dash and strength. After I finish the step I brandish the sword ahead and also slue my bust. First on the right and then on the left. Both of my elbows are curved and I progressively stretch them while swinging. I'm aiming at chest level and only stretch my right arm fully after the sword leave my vertical axis. My left arm remains curved in the process.*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*I grab my sword with my left hand too and lift it up near my right shoulder. The tip of the sword is pointing upward. Then I take a small step ahead with my left leg and brandish the blade a bit backwards to gain dash and strength. After I finish the step I brandish the sword ahead and also slue my bust. First on the right and then on the left. Both of my elbows are curved and I progressively stretch them while swinging. I'm aiming at chest level and only stretch my right arm fully after the sword leave my vertical axis. My left arm remains curved in the process.*

Once again, that was excellent. Now, if you would, proceed to demonstrate a two-handed vertical slash, in detail.

 

[Frozenstein]

Once again, that was excellent. Now, if you would, proceed to demonstrate a two-handed vertical slash, in detail.

*As I hold my sword with both of my hands, I lift it above my head at about in the same line as my vertical axis. The tip of the sword points upwards and a bit backwards too. Then I take a small step with my left leg ahead, brandish the sword backwards and make a powerful slash form upside down, still in the line with my vertical axis. When I make the slash I also move with my upper body, strengthen the attack with my whole back and waist. I don't stretch my arms fully to don't leave an opening against my stomach. When the sword leaves my waist line I slack up the move and let the tip of the sword to touch the ground. As an extra, I take a few quick step (almost running) ahead, jump in the air and repeat the whole move I've done just now.*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*As I hold my sword with both of my hands, I lift it above my head at about in the same line as my vertical axis. The tip of the sword points upwards and a bit backwards too. Then I take a small step with my left leg ahead, brandish the sword backwards and make a powerful slash form upside down, still in the line with my vertical axis. When I make the slash I also move with my upper body, strengthen the attack with my whole back and waist. I don't stretch my arms fully to don't leave an opening against my stomach. When the sword leaves my waist line I slack up the move and let the tip of the sword to touch the ground. As an extra, I take a few quick step (almost running) ahead, jump in the air and repeat the whole move I've done just now.*

Very well executed. ^_^

Now, we'll move on to something quite a bit different: lunges.

You can consider a lunge an advanced stab. Lunges have not only a lot more power behind them, but a greater range, due to the fact that you're leaning your body in to strike. Lunges are excellent combo finishers, or if you gather enough skill, combo openers.

They share a similar weakness in that if deflected, they leave you relatively open. However, like stabs, they can be recovered from fairly quickly if done correctly.

Lunges involve stepping forward while thrusting your blade forward as well, generally with you leaning forward in addition; lunges will be done primarily with one hand due to their form, though they can be preformed with two-hands: however, doing a lunge with two hands alters the form quite a bit.

Here's a video of lunging in modern sport fencing:

You must be registered for see links

.

Note that since this is battle training, and what the lady has preformed was a sport maneuver, we have a few differences: instead of flaring your arm out behind you, it will most likely be at a side-diagonal, in order for you to keep it in place for use; as well, you may lean past your ankles occasionally - though this weakens your stance, thus making it harder to recover from the stab quickly, it adds a bit more range to it.

Now, if you would, please preform a lunge, in detail.

 

[Frozenstein]

Very well executed. ^_^

Now, we'll move on to something quite a bit different: lunges.

You can consider a lunge an advanced stab. Lunges have not only a lot more power behind them, but a greater range, due to the fact that you're leaning your body in to strike. Lunges are excellent combo finishers, or if you gather enough skill, combo openers.

They share a similar weakness in that if deflected, they leave you relatively open. However, like stabs, they can be recovered from fairly quickly if done correctly.

Lunges involve stepping forward while thrusting your blade forward as well, generally with you leaning forward in addition; lunges will be done primarily with one hand due to their form, though they can be preformed with two-hands: however, doing a lunge with two hands alters the form quite a bit.

Here's a video of lunging in modern sport fencing:

You must be registered for see links

.

Note that since this is battle training, and what the lady has preformed was a sport maneuver, we have a few differences: instead of flaring your arm out behind you, it will most likely be at a side-diagonal, in order for you to keep it in place for use; as well, you may lean past your ankles occasionally - though this weakens your stance, thus making it harder to recover from the stab quickly, it adds a bit more range to it.

Now, if you would, please preform a lunge, in detail.

what a stance from the girl... xd

*I hold my sword with my right hand while my left arm is near my body. Then I take a longer step ahead with my right leg and stab at chest level. While I make the step I slue my body to the left. I also crook my right knee at the end of the step. At this time I stretch my right arm to make the stab longer. Before I reach the maximum length of this stab I lean my body to the right and a bit ahead at the same time. With this I reach my full length and also minimize the area where my opponent could counterattack.* (maybe... I hope xd)

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

what a stance from the girl... xd

*I hold my sword with my right hand while my left arm is near my body. Then I take a longer step ahead with my right leg and stab at chest level. While I make the step I slue my body to the left. I also crook my right knee at the end of the step. At this time I stretch my right arm to make the stab longer. Before I reach the maximum length of this stab I lean my body to the right and a bit ahead at the same time. With this I reach my full length and also minimize the area where my opponent could counterattack.* (maybe... I hope xd)

She's quite good. o_o

And that was good, but before we go on, I want to explain "the return", or how you reset your stance after a lunge, to make sure you understand why making your knee go past your ankle actually is a hindrance the majority of the time.

If you don't know, tell me, and I'll explain before we move on. xd Oh, and congratulations. I believe you were the first to get my revised lesson on lunging.

 

[Frozenstein]

She's quite good. o_o

And that was good, but before we go on, I want to explain "the return", or how you reset your stance after a lunge, to make sure you understand why making your knee go past your ankle actually is a hindrance the majority of the time.

If you don't know, tell me, and I'll explain before we move on. xd Oh, and congratulations. I believe you were the first to get my revised lesson on lunging.

Hmmm... I suppose I curve my right arm first to defend myself from the attacks with my sword. The sword is in front of me and the tip is a little above my head level. Then I stretch my right leg and get up. I only raise my head and square my shoulders when my leg is almost fully stretched and I make a step backwards with my right. When I take the step backwards I start to lower my sword too to clear my sight and get a basic battle stance.