McKnockout learns to honor the sword.

[KeotsuEclipse]

*I stand waiting for you inside a quiet dojo - several bokken and training dummies are spread across the room, ready for training.*

Alright, listen up - under me, you'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

Graduation Spar

You're well aware of what I expect of you through my PM - I expect the most of my students, and as such I'll give you good training.

Now, before we begin, though I know you've had you answer this before.... What is Kenjutsu, and why do you want to learn it?

 

[McKnockout]

Alrighty.

Well, like I said before, kenjutsu are techniques that involve the use of swords i.e. sword fighting. This form of fighting generally does not require handseals and hence chakra; this can make it a rather quick and effective way to fight. As seen by the samurais from the Land of Iron, they utilise this fact to counter ninja techs. Having said that though, chakra can be used in conjunction with kenjutsu to enhance it's power and general effectiveness and lethality. The advantage of kenjutsu is its lethality (i.e. it is versatile) when used in conjunction with ninjutsu, taijutsu and genjutsu. The reasons why I want to learn kenjutsu is simply because of its lethality and the fact that it is quite dangerous when used in conjunction with nin, tai and gen, as mentioned above and in my application.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Alrighty.

Well, like I said before, kenjutsu are techniques that involve the use of swords i.e. sword fighting. This form of fighting generally does not require handseals and hence chakra; this can make it a rather quick and effective way to fight. As seen by the samurais from the Land of Iron, they utilise this fact to counter ninja techs. Having said that though, chakra can be used in conjunction with kenjutsu to enhance it's power and general effectiveness and lethality. The advantage of kenjutsu is its lethality (i.e. it is versatile) when used in conjunction with ninjutsu, taijutsu and genjutsu. The reasons why I want to learn kenjutsu is simply because of its lethality and the fact that it is quite dangerous when used in conjunction with nin, tai and gen, as mentioned above and in my application.

Alright then.

Now, before we move on to anything, can you explain to me what's different between a one-handed and two-handed technique? Include the obvious if you want, but otherwise, I'd like to know if you have some other knowledge.

 

[McKnockout]

Alright then.

Now, before we move on to anything, can you explain to me what's different between a one-handed and two-handed technique? Include the obvious if you want, but otherwise, I'd like to know if you have some other knowledge.

Hmm alright. Well, Id just give the pros and cons of both..k so, one-handed strikes are generally quick, easy to perform and most importantly, leaves a free hand. But the fact that you're using only one hand means that the strike wont be as powerful as a two-handed strike.

On the other hand, two-handed strikes are much more powerful but you have to sacrifice speed for it. And also, if you happen to miss the target or the strike fails, you're left open for a fatal counter and the fact that you don't have free hands makes your opponent's counter even more dangerous.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Hmm alright. Well, Id just give the pros and cons of both..k so, one-handed strikes are generally quick, easy to perform and most importantly, leaves a free hand. But the fact that you're using only one hand means that the strike wont be as powerful as a two-handed strike.

On the other hand, two-handed strikes are much more powerful but you have to sacrifice speed for it. And also, if you happen to miss the target or the strike fails, you're left open for a fatal counter and the fact that you don't have free hands makes your opponent's counter even more dangerous.

Very well done.

I'd like to point something out, though. One-handed techniques have a faster chaining speed, meaning you can move from one one-handed technique into another than you could from one two-handed technique into another.

Two-handed techniques have a faster striking speed, meaning that the same motion made with a one and two-handed sword - the two-handed motion would connect first, but the time difference is negligible.

Now, to begin your training, we'll begin with the most basic of basics - the horizontal attack.

This attack strikes on the horizontal ("X-axis [ <---------> ] "), meaning between left and right.

I'd like you to demonstrate a horizontal slash please, and in detail of your movements.

 

[McKnockout]

Very well done.

I'd like to point something out, though. One-handed techniques have a faster chaining speed, meaning you can move from one one-handed technique into another than you could from one two-handed technique into another.

Two-handed techniques have a faster striking speed, meaning that the same motion made with a one and two-handed sword - the two-handed motion would connect first, but the time difference is negligible.

Now, to begin your training, we'll begin with the most basic of basics - the horizontal attack.

This attack strikes on the horizontal ("X-axis [ <---------> ] "), meaning between left and right.

I'd like you to demonstrate a horizontal slash please, and in detail of your movements.

Ahh, true. Alrighty, I am right handed and have a simple Chokutō strapped to my left hip.

*Using my left hand, I hold onto the scabbard of my sword..I unsheathe my sword with my right hand and in one swift motion unsheathe my sword and move my right arm horizontally across to perform the strike. So to do this, I reach for my sword with my right hand and pull it out of the scabbard by swinging my right arm across from left to right. I use my right elbow to guide my strike to ensure the strike is accurate..and as I swing and extend my right arm across, I pivot on the balls of my feet and rotate my hips around slightly in a clockwise direction...adding more power and momentum to my horizontal strike/slash.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Ahh, true. Alrighty, I am right handed and have a simple Chokutō strapped to my left hip.

*Using my left hand, I hold onto the scabbard of my sword..I unsheathe my sword with my right hand and in one swift motion unsheathe my sword and move my right arm horizontally across to perform the strike. So to do this, I reach for my sword with my right hand and pull it out of the scabbard by swinging my right arm across from left to right. I use my right elbow to guide my strike to ensure the strike is accurate..and as I swing and extend my right arm across, I pivot on the balls of my feet and rotate my hips around slightly in a clockwise direction...adding more power and momentum to my horizontal strike/slash.

"Eh? A chokuto? Don't see that often. And excellent form, I see that we'll be able to move fast.

Now, do I need to explain it myself, or can you tell me what all a horizontal strike can guard against?"

 

[McKnockout]

"Eh? A chokuto? Don't see that often. And excellent form, I see that we'll be able to move fast.

Now, do I need to explain it myself, or can you tell me what all a horizontal strike can guard against?"

"Well, its exactly like Sasuke's..isn't that what's its called? :S"

Hmm, I think I may need your help with this one but Ill give it a shot nevertheless..Well, horizontal strikes can defend against vertical strikes. It would also be a good defensive maneuver IMO since its quick and covers a large angle in front of you, so it would be a nice way to keep your opponent at a distance from you. Thats pretty much all I can think atm...oh, and also when performing horizontal strikes I should be careful of my opponent performing a leg sweep and ducking under my strike. So yeah.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

"Well, its exactly like Sasuke's..isn't that what's its called? :S"

Hmm, I think I may need your help with this one but Ill give it a shot nevertheless..Well, horizontal strikes can defend against vertical strikes. It would also be a good defensive maneuver IMO since its quick and covers a large angle in front of you, so it would be a nice way to keep your opponent at a distance from you. Thats pretty much all I can think atm...oh, and also when performing horizontal strikes I should be careful of my opponent performing a leg sweep and ducking under my strike. So yeah.

xd It is - it's just, so many people are either caught up on the katana or don't care enough to research any other type of sword.

Excellent, excellent! ^_^ You learn very quickly.

Now onward to the other basic attack, the vertical slash.

It strikes up and down, on the Y axis ( | ), and it can guard against horizontal attacks, and some verticals.

Please demonstrate, in detail. ^_^

 

[McKnockout]

xd It is - it's just, so many people are either caught up on the katana or don't care enough to research any other type of sword.

Excellent, excellent! ^_^ You learn very quickly.

Now onward to the other basic attack, the vertical slash.

It strikes up and down, on the Y axis ( | ), and it can guard against horizontal attacks, and some verticals.

Please demonstrate, in detail. ^_^

Ahh okay xd Alrighty..

*I resheath my Chokutō and begin to sprint towards the target, as Im in close proximity of him, I reach for my blade with my right hand and unsheath my Chokutō as I leap up vertically. I pull my sword out in a swift motion with my right hand as I position my blade vertically and prepare for my strike. Using the momentum and force generated by my jump to add more power to my strike, I swing my sword down onto the opponent's head as I fall back towards the ground.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Ahh okay xd Alrighty..

*I resheath my Chokutō and begin to sprint towards the target, as Im in close proximity of him, I reach for my blade with my right hand and unsheath my Chokutō as I leap up vertically. I pull my sword out in a swift motion with my right hand as I position my blade vertically and prepare for my strike. Using the momentum and force generated by my jump to add more power to my strike, I swing my sword down onto the opponent's head as I fall back towards the ground.

xd Excellent! Though, the flourishing jump was unnecessary.

Now that we've done all this, next is stabs.

Can you describe a stab to me, and how it's useful? And if so, please preform one in detail, as well.

 

[McKnockout]

xd Excellent! Though, the flourishing jump was unnecessary.

Now that we've done all this, next is stabs.

Can you describe a stab to me, and how it's useful? And if so, please preform one in detail, as well.

Ahh, lol alright xd.

Hmm stabs..are we doing one-handed stabs?
Anyway, stabs deal more damage than slashes and are alot more dangerous if you hit the opponent but stabs are alot more risky too because you can be easily side stepped or parried which would leave you open for a fatal counter. Thats why you have to find a way to set up your stabs, so yeah what Im trying to say are that stabs are not what you would use to open/begin a fight. I guess I could use the slashes I just learnt to set up a stab but I know there are also other elements of kenjutsu that I should use to set up a successful stab too e.g. movement plus other stuff outlined in your summary of this training. So yeah, they're useful in that they can end the fight but you have to use it right and at the right moment.

*I unsheathe my blade from its scabbard with my right hand thrust the blade's tip forward into the target, pivoting on the balls of my feet and rotating my hips in an anti-clockwise direction to give it an extra "kick".

:S I don't really know what to do for a stab. I guess I could sprint at the target and use my momentum to put my whole weight behind the stab, but I feel too vulnerable doing that cause the opponent could easily redirect my blade away from him as I initiate the stab, so yeah :S Sorry if that lacked detail.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Ahh, lol alright xd.

Hmm stabs..are we doing one-handed stabs?
Anyway, stabs deal more damage than slashes and are alot more dangerous if you hit the opponent but stabs are alot more risky too because you can be easily side stepped or parried which would leave you open for a fatal counter. Thats why you have to find a way to set up your stabs, so yeah what Im trying to say are that stabs are not what you would use to open/begin a fight. I guess I could use the slashes I just learnt to set up a stab but I know there are also other elements of kenjutsu that I should use to set up a successful stab too e.g. movement plus other stuff outlined in your summary of this training. So yeah, they're useful in that they can end the fight but you have to use it right and at the right moment.

*I unsheathe my blade from its scabbard with my right hand thrust the blade's tip forward into the target, pivoting on the balls of my feet and rotating my hips in an anti-clockwise direction to give it an extra "kick".

:S I don't really know what to do for a stab. I guess I could sprint at the target and use my momentum to put my whole weight behind the stab, but I feel too vulnerable doing that cause the opponent could easily redirect my blade away from him as I initiate the stab, so yeah :S Sorry if that lacked detail.

o_o You sure know your stuff. xd Sure you need me to teach you?

Stabs are a quick and simple movement, meaning that most of the time you don't create a glaring opening, and neither are you open for long. Stabs are quite good for fatal strikes, but they are also good for increasing the lethality of combos, as well as a good way to interrupt a combo from the opponent, since stabs can't be blocked as easily as horizontal or vertical strikes.

What you described was more or less a one-handed lunge, here's what a stab is like.

*Grasping my bokken, I quickly jab my sword in front of me, before quickly pulling it back.*

Stabs are meant as heavy damage dealers. They're quick, simple movements, meant to interrupt, or deal damage to vital organs.

Stabs are generally, also, very quick.

 

[McKnockout]

o_o You sure know your stuff. xd Sure you need me to teach you?

Stabs are a quick and simple movement, meaning that most of the time you don't create a glaring opening, and neither are you open for long. Stabs are quite good for fatal strikes, but they are also good for increasing the lethality of combos, as well as a good way to interrupt a combo from the opponent, since stabs can't be blocked as easily as horizontal or vertical strikes.

What you described was more or less a one-handed lunge, here's what a stab is like.

*Grasping my bokken, I quickly jab my sword in front of me, before quickly pulling it back.*

Stabs are meant as heavy damage dealers. They're quick, simple movements, meant to interrupt, or deal damage to vital organs.

Stabs are generally, also, very quick.

Ahh I see, what I had in mind was in fact a lunge then not a stab. Thanks for clarifying. It makes sense now, stabs are simple and quick movements. Got it ^_^

What would you like me to do now?

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Ahh I see, what I had in mind was in fact a lunge then not a stab. Thanks for clarifying. It makes sense now, stabs are simple and quick movements. Got it ^_^

What would you like me to do now?

Now that you know the difference, I have faith in your ability, so we'll leave it at that. ^_^

Next is a two-handed horizontal slash. Would you please preform one, in detail.

 

[McKnockout]

Now that you know the difference, I have faith in your ability, so we'll leave it at that. ^_^

Next is a two-handed horizontal slash. Would you please preform one, in detail.

*I quickly draw my Chokutō with my right hand, unsheathing it from my scabbard from my left hip to my right side which I hold in a horizontal position..then I promptly grasp my blade with two hands with my right hand onto of my left hand. I then immediately start to push the blade with my right hand while using my left hand to guide and stabilise the slash..I perform a right to left slash ending up with my right arm crossing over my body.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

*I quickly draw my Chokutō with my right hand, unsheathing it from my scabbard from my left hip to my right side which I hold in a horizontal position..then I promptly grasp my blade with two hands with my right hand onto of my left hand. I then immediately start to push the blade with my right hand while using my left hand to guide and stabilise the slash..I perform a right to left slash ending up with my right arm crossing over my body.

Perfect! ^_^

Now, please demonstrate a two-handed vertical slash. ^_^

 

[McKnockout]

Perfect! ^_^

Now, please demonstrate a two-handed vertical slash. ^_^

Alrighty.

*I grasp my blade by its hilt with my right hand on top of my left hand and step forward with my left foot leading as I raise both of my arms above my head. Then I step forward with my right foot and suddenly bring my arms down, making a vertical slash with my blade.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Alrighty.

*I grasp my blade by its hilt with my right hand on top of my left hand and step forward with my left foot leading as I raise both of my arms above my head. Then I step forward with my right foot and suddenly bring my arms down, making a vertical slash with my blade.

Again, very good. ^_^

Now, the thing in two-handed that actually is a bit different.

Can you tell me the difference between a stab and a lunge is?

How is it done, what are its advantages, and what are its disadvantages?

 

[McKnockout]

Again, very good. ^_^

Now, the thing in two-handed that actually is a bit different.

Can you tell me the difference between a stab and a lunge is?

How is it done, what are its advantages, and what are its disadvantages?

Well, I think we went a little bit through this..A stab is a quick and simple movement that, if successful, are fatal strikes. It can be used to push back your opponent and disrupt your opponent's combo since its harder to defend against a stab than a slash. Also, the fact that stabs are quick and simple movements means that you do not leave yourself open for a fatal counter.

A lunge on the other hand, is what I used to think was a stab. It is quite similar to the stab in that it is the "thrusting" of your sword but it has alot more power in it and has much larger range. That is, you put your weight/momentum in the "stab" or jab/thrusting as you leap forward towards your opponent. Although this means that you can deal much more damage to your opponent, it is also much more risky than a stab as it leaves you open for potentially fatal counters.