Keotsu teaches Gin-san 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.

 

[Gin-San]

>_>
<_<
O_O

*enters*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

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

 

[Gin-San]

Yes, I had prior knowledge in kenjutsu. I finished my kenjutsu training with Ruiz and graduated from his class. This is pretty much an AP class xd. I have fought several times before with kenjutsu, specially as my first bio was a samurai itself.

Kenjutsu is the art of using a sword for combat. The user uses the sword as part of himself to do much more devastating and longer range attacks. The user treats the sword as an extension of his arm.
Kenjutsu also has different fighting styles, such as Iado, 1 sword style, dual katanas, etc. All this depends in the user's style, capability, and preference.
Kenjutsu can be used in conjunction with taijutu to create much more stronger combos, which could lead the opponent into a big opening.
Kenjutsu is used by both samurai and ninja swordman. The difference is that samurai trains only the way of the sword, mastering chakra manipulation in the sword, while ninja learn to transmit their chakra manipulation into their attacks, which usually ends in lightning or wind infusion.

Good enough?

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Yes, I had prior knowledge in kenjutsu. I finished my kenjutsu training with Ruiz and graduated from his class. This is pretty much an AP class xd. I have fought several times before with kenjutsu, specially as my first bio was a samurai itself.

Kenjutsu is the art of using a sword for combat. The user uses the sword as part of himself to do much more devastating and longer range attacks. The user treats the sword as an extension of his arm.
Kenjutsu also has different fighting styles, such as Iado, 1 sword style, dual katanas, etc. All this depends in the user's style, capability, and preference.
Kenjutsu can be used in conjunction with taijutu to create much more stronger combos, which could lead the opponent into a big opening.
Kenjutsu is used by both samurai and ninja swordman. The difference is that samurai trains only the way of the sword, mastering chakra manipulation in the sword, while ninja learn to transmit their chakra manipulation into their attacks, which usually ends in lightning or wind infusion.

Good enough?

Very good.

Just a bit more, though:

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?

 

[Gin-San]

Well, for the moment, I am much more interested in a katana. The reason why is because is easier to flow and manage, and can give great slash or bump combinations (in case not going for the kill).

One handed strike as the name say are slashes using one hand to direct the movement of the sword. Because your using one hand, you gain much more mobility and dexterity, but lose power into your hits.
Two handed strikes consist on using both hands to slash in a general direction. This strike lacks mobility and space, but increases the power of the attack significally.
Another thing to add, is that one handed strikes then to be faster, while two handed connect first (as I have seen in some movies).

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Well, for the moment, I am much more interested in a katana. The reason why is because is easier to flow and manage, and can give great slash or bump combinations (in case not going for the kill).

One handed strike as the name say are slashes using one hand to direct the movement of the sword. Because your using one hand, you gain much more mobility and dexterity, but lose power into your hits.
Two handed strikes consist on using both hands to slash in a general direction. This strike lacks mobility and space, but increases the power of the attack significally.
Another thing to add, is that one handed strikes then to be faster, while two handed connect first (as I have seen in some movies).

That's a good reason.

And excellent, you know the concept of striking speed.

That means I can skip most of my explanation. xd

Anyway, now we'll move on to one-handed horizontal attacks.

They move horizontally, or left to right, on the x-axis, or side to side, however you want to say it.

If you would, in detail, preform one.

 

[Gin-San]

*I slash horizontally* O _O

Jk xd

*I grab a hold of the handle of my bokuto(which is placed in my right hip) with my left hand. Then, in a single smooth action, I pull the bokuto in a slashing manner, striking from my right to my left in the X-axis. The strike is directly aimed between the sternum and the upper abs, severely damaging some arteries and slightly pushing my enemy into his right (which, because is a single handed strike, the push will not be enough to push him into the ground, but lose his balance, but regardless of this, this strike can still be fatal). This of course will happen, if I was doing it with a human and not a dummy*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*I slash horizontally* O _O

Jk xd

*I grab a hold of the handle of my bokuto(which is placed in my right hip) with my left hand. Then, in a single smooth action, I pull the bokuto in a slashing manner, striking from my right to my left in the X-axis. The strike is directly aimed between the sternum and the upper abs, severely damaging some arteries and slightly pushing my enemy into his right (which, because is a single handed strike, the push will not be enough to push him into the ground, but lose his balance, but regardless of this, this strike can still be fatal). This of course will happen, if I was doing it with a human and not a dummy*

Excellent. ^_^

Now, next on the agenda is a vertical slash. They strike up and down, on the y-axis, etc. In detail, please preform one.

 

[Gin-San]

*I grab a hold of my bokuto, which is located again besides my right hip, with my left hand. With a smooth action, I slash vertically in the y-axis, aiming directly in the middle of the body. The slash (or bash) damages the stomach and chest, and swings upwards cutting/hitting the chin of the enemy with great force, which, depending on his reaction and the speed in which the sword is stroked, he will lean forwards or backwards*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*I grab a hold of my bokuto, which is located again besides my right hip, with my left hand. With a smooth action, I slash vertically in the y-axis, aiming directly in the middle of the body. The slash (or bash) damages the stomach and chest, and swings upwards cutting/hitting the chin of the enemy with great force, which, depending on his reaction and the speed in which the sword is stroked, he will lean forwards or backwards*

Once again, excellent.

Now, next are stabs. Can you tell me what a stab is, and why it might be useful?

 

[Gin-San]

Once again, excellent.

Now, next are stabs. Can you tell me what a stab is, and why it might be useful?

Stab is the action of striking with the the end of the blade. In other words, is more like a strike, such as poking someone with a stick (like girls did in my childhood U_U), than a slash as in striking with a bat. It goes in a straight line without moving into the X-axis or Y-axis in a 2D pannel, but move into the X-axis in a 3D pannel, just moving forwards instead of moving in any other direction.

Stabs can be useful when trying to use a quick action to alert the opponent and make him shift into defense. They can be fast and almost unpredictable depending in the skill of the user or the situation. The disadvantages of this method of strike is that leaves the swordsman completely open if the opponent sidesteps, but of course, this again depends in the situation the swordsman and the opponent are in.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Stab is the action of striking with the the end of the blade. In other words, is more like a strike, such as poking someone with a stick (like girls did in my childhood U_U), than a slash as in striking with a bat. It goes in a straight line without moving into the X-axis or Y-axis in a 2D pannel, but move into the X-axis in a 3D pannel, just moving forwards instead of moving in any other direction.

Stabs can be useful when trying to use a quick action to alert the opponent and make him shift into defense. They can be fast and almost unpredictable depending in the skill of the user or the situation. The disadvantages of this method of strike is that leaves the swordsman completely open if the opponent sidesteps, but of course, this again depends in the situation the swordsman and the opponent are in.

Once again, excellent.

Stabs are extremely quick, which makes them very useful, and they're excellent for throwing less experienced fighters into the defensive position, or even the same to more experienced ones, if that happen to make a misstep.

Stabs can very easily be fatal if they connect, but at the same time, they can strike other areas and do very minimal damage. It's best to aim at center mass when stabbing. And the good thing about stabs is that even if your opponent does dodge, you too can move and resume your stance, since stabbing does not leave extremely open.

Now, if you would, please demonstrate a stab, please.

 

[Gin-San]

*I grab a hold of my bokuto with my left hand, this time the bokuto is placed in my left side, instead of crossing my arm across my body. I then pull my left elbow backwards as I slightly bringing it upwards, still maintaining the blade of the sword in a perfect horizontal (the blade "sharpness" of the blade will face down, the blunt side up). By moving my left elbow back, my right arm moves in front of my body. Then, with a fast action, make a stabbing motion, launching my left arm towards my target, and stretching my arm to get a longer range, all this without leaping (as leaping be considered a lunge, if I move my left leg upwards at the same time, making a longer stab/lunge). As Im stabbing, my right arm moves back, which helps me gain momentum and make the strike faster and stronger. The stab is aimed slightly below the sternum, above the upper ribs, stabbing the soft area and impaling the earth of the dummy, this is of course, if I was using a katana"

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*I grab a hold of my bokuto with my left hand, this time the bokuto is placed in my left side, instead of crossing my arm across my body. I then pull my left elbow backwards as I slightly bringing it upwards, still maintaining the blade of the sword in a perfect horizontal (the blade "sharpness" of the blade will face down, the blunt side up). By moving my left elbow back, my right arm moves in front of my body. Then, with a fast action, make a stabbing motion, launching my left arm towards my target, and stretching my arm to get a longer range, all this without leaping (as leaping be considered a lunge, if I move my left leg upwards at the same time, making a longer stab/lunge). As Im stabbing, my right arm moves back, which helps me gain momentum and make the strike faster and stronger. The stab is aimed slightly below the sternum, above the upper ribs, stabbing the soft area and impaling the earth of the dummy, this is of course, if I was using a katana"

Once again, excellent. ^_^

And, because we covered the difference between one-handed and two-handed strikes earlier, we can move on.

So, now, if you would, please preform a two-handed horizontal strike, in detail.

 

[Gin-San]

*I place my bokuto besides my right hip, placing my right hand closer to the blade (palm facing the sky) and my left hand in just below my right hand in the outermost part of the handle (palm facing down). Then I make a slight step with my left leg as I slice in the X-axis from right to left. Thanks that I'm using both hands to apply much more force, the speed and power of the attack increments by at least 1.778367%. The attack is aimed slightly below the sternum of the dummy and above the uppermost primary abdominal. The power applied is enough (and because a bokuto is dull and not sharp) to sent the dummy flying 2-3 meters away (baseball style).*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*I place my bokuto besides my right hip, placing my right hand closer to the blade (palm facing the sky) and my left hand in just below my right hand in the outermost part of the handle (palm facing down). Then I make a slight step with my left leg as I slice in the X-axis from right to left. Thanks that I'm using both hands to apply much more force, the speed and power of the attack increments by at least 1.778367%. The attack is aimed slightly below the sternum of the dummy and above the uppermost primary abdominal. The power applied is enough (and because a bokuto is dull and not sharp) to sent the dummy flying 2-3 meters away (baseball style).*

Marvelously done. U_U Was a great demonstration.

Now, let's move on to two-handed vertical slashes. I expect a response at least 1.130205% better than the previous one. ^_^

 

[Gin-San]

Marvelously done. U_U Was a great demonstration.

Now, let's move on to two-handed vertical slashes. I expect a response at least 1.130205% better than the previous one. ^_^

I take my bokuto with my left hand, having it closer to the blade and the right hand farther away from it, and place it high in the air above my right shoulder, pretty much my left risk parallel to my right ear. The face of the sword is facing down. Then, in a single fluid motion, I step with my left foot to gain power as I swing downwards in a vertical motion. Thanks to gravity and the force exerted the velocity of the sword increases dramatically, connecting on the dummy in no time. The dummy is hit in collar bone in the right shoulder. The force exerted makes the dummy fall from position.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

I take my bokuto with my left hand, having it closer to the blade and the right hand farther away from it, and place it high in the air above my right shoulder, pretty much my left risk parallel to my right ear. The face of the sword is facing down. Then, in a single fluid motion, I step with my left foot to gain power as I swing downwards in a vertical motion. Thanks to gravity and the force exerted the velocity of the sword increases dramatically, connecting on the dummy in no time. The dummy is hit in collar bone in the right shoulder. The force exerted makes the dummy fall from position.

Once more, marvelously done. ^_^

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:

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.

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.