BUJINKAN DOJO BASIC SWORDSMANSHIP

1. When drawing the sword, click out the blade from the Saya. Do this with the thumb or the forefinger. Make sure that the thumb if it is used is not directly over the edge of the blade. Otherwise there is a chance that the thumb will be cut. Pull the Saya out a little, then as you draw, pull it right back out of the way. This will make drawing the sword faster. At the same time step back with the left leg. 1a. One method of drawing the blade is to hold the Habaki between the thumb and the index finger (the Tsuba is between the index and middle fingers). One reason for this is enable you to be able to draw the blade if an accident is made while drawing, or when you go to draw the sword, for some reason it is already partially out of the Saya. 2. If the sword is to be drawn form a Tenchi Kiri style cut, aim for the Ukes Tsuba with the Kashira as if you were going to poke at the Tsuba. Then flip out the blade cutting down, which also aims at the Tsuba. This will enable you to cut his Kote, and provides a excellent target for when you draw. In a close situation, when you draw, you can strike the Ukes hand with the Kashira prior to drawing the sword. This can help create distance, and can also damage his hand, stopping or slowing down the drawing of his sword. 3. When the blade is out, make sure that the right knee is bent. Then you may drop back into a Kamae. Having the right knee bent is the same position as when you cut normally. It also allows you to be able to move freely in any direction. Or back into a Kamae. Moving straight back into a kamae only gives you the more. option of being in a kamae, nothing. 4. Cutting from Daijodan no kamae: When you cut down do so by dropping the blade straight down with a cut. However. It is important to lift the wrists a little, which in turn also lifts the Kashira. Then step forwards cutting down. When to have cut down do not finish at this point, continue the feeling (and maybe also the movement) of thrusting forwards with the Katana with a Tsuki. 5. When you cut, you must aim to cut through the entire body. If you just clip him he may still fight (an injured animal is a dangerous animal). Cut with precise angle with the sword, because the sword may deflect once inside the body, and jar, making it almost if not impossible to with draw the blade. 6. Noto (returning the sword to the Saya): Hold the mouth of the Saya in the left hand. The sword is in the centre of the body. Step forwards with the left foot. This brings the mouth of the Saya to the sword. Then as you pull the blade through the fingers step back with the left foot, this helps with the movement of the sword passing between the fingers.

7. To return the sword to the Saya, grip the mouth of the Saya in the left hand. The middle finger comes across the bottom of the Sayas mouth, and the index finger sticks up pointing out from the Saya. Run the back of the sword along the piece of skin between the thumb and index finger, and also between the index and middle finger. Running it between these two fingers enable you to remove any blood and guts that may still remain on the sword once Chiburi has been performed. Once the sword is clear slide it into the Saya.