Keotsu teaches Zero Kelvin 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?

 

[ZK]

*Hawke appears in a swirl of bottles and miniature automobiles*
^_^
"Hello Keotsu-Sempai!"

I haven't received any training in Kenjutsu before this, what little experience i have is practical experience and knowledge. I know a few different sword styles, and i'm honored to use them.
Kenjutsu is the art of the sword, and it covers the whole area of swordplay in all its forms. I don't really know what else to say, learning Kenjutsu is learning to be a swordsman, what more is there to say?

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*Hawke appears in a swirl of bottles and miniature automobiles*
^_^
"Hello Keotsu-Sempai!"

I haven't received any training in Kenjutsu before this, what little experience i have is practical experience and knowledge. I know a few different sword styles, and i'm honored to use them.
Kenjutsu is the art of the sword, and it covers the whole area of swordplay in all its forms. I don't really know what else to say, learning Kenjutsu is learning to be a swordsman, what more is there to say?

There's still some more. I suppose I was looking for a more philosophical answer.

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?

 

[ZK]

There's still some more. I suppose I was looking for a more philosophical answer.

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've always prefered using an Odachi, the long blade and grip is just completely my style.
There's obviously more power behind a two handed strike, since two hands = more power than one hand, so generally, a two handed strike is preferable if you're simply looking for a powerful strike. On the other hand, (see what i did there? ) a one handed strike gives more flexibility, a free hand to break a stalemate is always preferable from no hand to break a stalemate. A one handed strike should be much easier to re-direct and control too, since there's less power behind the strike, and with a hand still free to assist with whatever task you're performing, a one handed strike seems generally preferable with short weapons. With long weapons such as the Odachi, the long grip allows the wielder to adjust his strikes and thrusts very quickly, since he can move the point of balance very smoothly.
I hope that made some sense ._.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

I've always prefered using an Odachi, the long blade and grip is just completely my style.
There's obviously more power behind a two handed strike, since two hands = more power than one hand, so generally, a two handed strike is preferable if you're simply looking for a powerful strike. On the other hand, (see what i did there? ) a one handed strike gives more flexibility, a free hand to break a stalemate is always preferable from no hand to break a stalemate. A one handed strike should be much easier to re-direct and control too, since there's less power behind the strike, and with a hand still free to assist with whatever task you're performing, a one handed strike seems generally preferable with short weapons. With long weapons such as the Odachi, the long grip allows the wielder to adjust his strikes and thrusts very quickly, since he can move the point of balance very smoothly.
I hope that made some sense ._.

That was excellent. Though, you do know that Odachi are extremely long swords and were believed to have never been used, that they were ceremonial swords, right?

Anyway, you gave an excellent explanation: one handed strikes do have a faster chaining speed, less power, and more control of individual strikes. Two-handed strikes have much more directional control, striking speed, etc. You pretty well nailed everything on the head.

So, with that, we'll begin your training.

A horizontal attack is an attack that strikes horizontally, side to side, on the x-axis, left to right, etc.

Now, if you would, please preform a one-handed horizontal slash. And remember, be detailed, please. ^_^

 

[ZK]

That was excellent. Though, you do know that Odachi are extremely long swords and were believed to have never been used, that they were ceremonial swords, right?

Anyway, you gave an excellent explanation: one handed strikes do have a faster chaining speed, less power, and more control of individual strikes. Two-handed strikes have much more directional control, striking speed, etc. You pretty well nailed everything on the head.

So, with that, we'll begin your training.

A horizontal attack is an attack that strikes horizontally, side to side, on the x-axis, left to right, etc.

Now, if you would, please preform a one-handed horizontal slash. And remember, be detailed, please. ^_^

._.
Maybe my Odachi is custom made? xd
Or maybe i'm compensating for something (that's supposed to be your line)

I grip my sword tightly, but not too tightly, since that would restrict the flexibility of my movements. I place my left hand above my right on the hilt. I place my legs slightly apart to achieve the best stance with the greatest ballance and the most stability. I slowly stretch my arms out, and my sword with them, and testingly moves the sword from left to right in a very slow horizontal slash. I make sure to practise the movements several times to get the general feeling of how my weight shifts along with my point of ballance. I make sure to shift my weight and my stance accordingly, to supplement the movement best. Finally i try to perform the left to right slash at high speed, but i make a small adjustment to my stance. I place my right foot slightly in front my left foot, and tries to use my whole body-weight to add power to the slash.

Good enough? O:

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

._.
Maybe my Odachi is custom made? xd
Or maybe i'm compensating for something (that's supposed to be your line)

I grip my sword tightly, but not too tightly, since that would restrict the flexibility of my movements. I place my left hand above my right on the hilt. I place my legs slightly apart to achieve the best stance with the greatest ballance and the most stability. I slowly stretch my arms out, and my sword with them, and testingly moves the sword from left to right in a very slow horizontal slash. I make sure to practise the movements several times to get the general feeling of how my weight shifts along with my point of ballance. I make sure to shift my weight and my stance accordingly, to supplement the movement best. Finally i try to perform the left to right slash at high speed, but i make a small adjustment to my stance. I place my right foot slightly in front my left foot, and tries to use my whole body-weight to add power to the slash.

Good enough? O:

Well, that's true, a CW is always plausible.

What, about what they say about people who use large swords?

That was very good, only...you just did a two-handed strike. xd I asked for a one-handed strike. Once more, please, one-handed this time.

 

[ZK]

Well, that's true, a CW is always plausible.

What, about what they say about people who use large swords?

That was very good, only...you just did a two-handed strike. xd I asked for a one-handed strike. Once more, please, one-handed this time.

>_<
Damnations!

I grip by sword with my left hand, i make sure that my grip is loose and flexible. I testingly performs the horizontal slash from left to right with very slow movements, i make sure to shift my point of ballance to supplement the slash as much as possible. After performing the test-slash several times i try it with high speed ._.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

>_<
Damnations!

I grip by sword with my left hand, i make sure that my grip is loose and flexible. I testingly performs the horizontal slash from left to right with very slow movements, i make sure to shift my point of ballance to supplement the slash as much as possible. After performing the test-slash several times i try it with high speed ._.

xd

That'll work. o_o" This isn't like jutsu training where I'm going to make you repeat the jutsu several times for "realism" sake. I teach conceptually - if you understand it completely, and there's nothing more I can add or feel you can improve on, then we'll move on.

Now, now that we've done that, we can move on to vertical strikes.

Vertical strikes strike up and down, on the y-axis, etc. If you would, please demonstrate one, in detail.

 

[ZK]

xd

That'll work. o_o" This isn't like jutsu training where I'm going to make you repeat the jutsu several times for "realism" sake. I teach conceptually - if you understand it completely, and there's nothing more I can add or feel you can improve on, then we'll move on.

Now, now that we've done that, we can move on to vertical strikes.

Vertical strikes strike up and down, on the y-axis, etc. If you would, please demonstrate one, in detail.

I grip my my sword tightly with my left hand and slids into a low Gedan stance. I cautiously raise my sword directly above my head, while using my right arm to support and secure my stance. I testingly slashes downwards with less than half power, to test how my body naturally shifts and moves with the slash. As i lift the sword above my head again and prepares to strike, i make sure that my wrist is flexible as to make it easier to re-direct my slash. As i slash downwards, i move my left leg a bit forwards while pushing my upper body downwards, as to give the strike more power.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

I grip my my sword tightly with my left hand and slids into a low Gedan stance. I cautiously raise my sword directly above my head, while using my right arm to support and secure my stance. I testingly slashes downwards with less than half power, to test how my body naturally shifts and moves with the slash. As i lift the sword above my head again and prepares to strike, i make sure that my wrist is flexible as to make it easier to re-direct my slash. As i slash downwards, i move my left leg a bit forwards while pushing my upper body downwards, as to give the strike more power.

Very good, once again, but you also did a two-handed slash again. xd What you did, was very similar to a vertical slash from the Jodan stance.

However, I guess I should mention, you won't be making dramatic full-body vertical cuts with one hand, it's more akin to short chops.

Once more, please. ^_^

 

[ZK]

Very good, once again, but you also did a two-handed slash again. xd What you did, was very similar to a vertical slash from the Jodan stance.

However, I guess I should mention, you won't be making dramatic full-body vertical cuts with one hand, it's more akin to short chops.

Once more, please. ^_^

You gotta be f***ing kidding me! How could i make the same mistake, TWICE!? D:
__________________________________

I grib my sword tighly with one hand, lifts it, while making sure that my movements aren't becoming rigid, and then i slash towards the ground in a vertical angle.
Shortest explanation, evar o.o

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

You gotta be f***ing kidding me! How could i make the same mistake, TWICE!? D:
__________________________________

I grib my sword tighly with one hand, lifts it, while making sure that my movements aren't becoming rigid, and then i slash towards the ground in a vertical angle.
Shortest explanation, evar o.o

xd That works, especially since I know you know the material.

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

 

[ZK]

xd That works, especially since I know you know the material.

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

Stabs are much more 'powerful', in the sense of the word that its much easier to put your whole bodyweight behind a stab and thereby give it much more power, than it is to put your whole wight behind a slash. Stabs are harder to block, they're pretty easy to evade as you're only using the end of the sword in a stab, but blocking them requires skill. Its hard to change the trajectory of a stab once you've begun to execute it, you don't have any momentum or anything to help you change directions, so it would take a very good grip and an experienced swordsman to change the trajectory of a stab with any grace or effectiveness. Basically, stabs deal with more power for less grace and flexibility.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Stabs are much more 'powerful', in the sense of the word that its much easier to put your whole bodyweight behind a stab and thereby give it much more power, than it is to put your whole wight behind a slash. Stabs are harder to block, they're pretty easy to evade as you're only using the end of the sword in a stab, but blocking them requires skill. Its hard to change the trajectory of a stab once you've begun to execute it, you don't have any momentum or anything to help you change directions, so it would take a very good grip and an experienced swordsman to change the trajectory of a stab with any grace or effectiveness. Basically, stabs deal with more power for less grace and flexibility.

What you just touched upon was actually the basis of a lunge, which we'll cover later; stabs do not generally have body weight behind them, rather just arm strength. Their power comes from the ability to easily strike vital organs.

A stab is a quick, forward thrust made with the blade, a common attack used by Rapier fencers.They are indeed difficult to block, as it is a straight attack, but they can be easily deflected, which leaves the user open. However, due to their quick nature, the user is not left open for long, as all they must do is pull their arm back.

Stabs have a great deal of elegance and flexibility behind them, though this is effected by the sword you use: using a slender rapier makes your stabs much more controlled, fluid, and elegant compared to a stab made by a large broadsword. As I said, though, what they lack in power they make up for in effectiveness.

Now, if you would, please demonstrate a stab.

 

[ZK]

What you just touched upon was actually the basis of a lunge, which we'll cover later; stabs do not generally have body weight behind them, rather just arm strength. Their power comes from the ability to easily strike vital organs.

A stab is a quick, forward thrust made with the blade, a common attack used by Rapier fencers.They are indeed difficult to block, as it is a straight attack, but they can be easily deflected, which leaves the user open. However, due to their quick nature, the user is not left open for long, as all they must do is pull their arm back.

Stabs have a great deal of elegance and flexibility behind them, though this is effected by the sword you use: using a slender rapier makes your stabs much more controlled, fluid, and elegant compared to a stab made by a large broadsword. As I said, though, what they lack in power they make up for in effectiveness.

Now, if you would, please demonstrate a stab.

I simply point my sword towards a random point while holding it tightly in my left hand. I retract my arm and as i get the right angle i stab my arm and sword forwards without putting my whole weight behind the stab. I make sure to keep a balanced stance as to not subject myself to easy counters.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

I simply point my sword towards a random point while holding it tightly in my left hand. I retract my arm and as i get the right angle i stab my arm and sword forwards without putting my whole weight behind the stab. I make sure to keep a balanced stance as to not subject myself to easy counters.

Very good. That's an important note with stabs - they can be quickly withdrawn as well, meaning you don't stay open for long...

Don't take this as a misconception that stabs are super-humanly fast. While very quick, remember that a skilled opponent may be able to cause you trouble.

Anyway, since we covered the differences between one-handed and two-handed strikes earlier, we can move right on.

Now, if you would, please preform a two-handed horizontal strike, in detail. Remember to change your form for the addition of another hand.

 

[ZK]

Very good. That's an important note with stabs - they can be quickly withdrawn as well, meaning you don't stay open for long...

Don't take this as a misconception that stabs are super-humanly fast. While very quick, remember that a skilled opponent may be able to cause you trouble.

Anyway, since we covered the differences between one-handed and two-handed strikes earlier, we can move right on.

Now, if you would, please preform a two-handed horizontal strike, in detail. Remember to change your form for the addition of another hand.

I adjust my stance slightly, moving my left foot slightly in front of my right. I grip the handle of the sword with both my hands, my left hand above my right. I testingly perform slow slashes from chest-level height, right to left. Finally, I prepare for the real strike and by moving my upper body along with the strike itself to add more momentum, I execute the strike fairly well in my own oppinion.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

I adjust my stance slightly, moving my left foot slightly in front of my right. I grip the handle of the sword with both my hands, my left hand above my right. I testingly perform slow slashes from chest-level height, right to left. Finally, I prepare for the real strike and by moving my upper body along with the strike itself to add more momentum, I execute the strike fairly well in my own oppinion.

Well done.

Now, please preform a double-handed vertical strike, in detail.

 

[ZK]

Well done.

Now, please preform a double-handed vertical strike, in detail.

Again, I grip my sword tighly, but I still make sure to retain maximum flexibility with my hands and thereby also my sword. I raise my sword above my head while taking a normal stance, with my feet having a reasonable distance between them and my left foot being a bit in front of my right. As I feel ready to do so, I slash my sword downwards in a vertical angle, while leaning a bit forwards to give the sword more power.