We warmed up with 鎖分銅 kusarifundō striking drills. Whether striking with 片手振り katate furi, or 八文字振りhachimonji furi, control of distance is crucial. We want to be able to strike precise targets while using the distance advantage this weapon provides. Also, at the end of the arc the centripetal force is at its highest.
I experienced this painfully when I hit myself in the head during my demo. I’ve owned this kusarifundō since about 1985, and it has bitten me since I was a teenager. I used my embarrassment to share this lesson with my students. Weapons can endanger their owners and you should train for that as well.
I began class with 拳者捕 kenja dori. Here you use your fists to capture the opponent and his sword. With a strike to the back of his hand, and another to his bicep to knock the sword away.
I learned the first strike from Hatsumi Sensei as a sliding control. Slide up to the elbow or down to the wrist. Then with a cupping grip you pull it against your body while you strike again.
Hatsumi Sensei explained it like this, “Remember how to slide your arm up or down his. As you pull on his right elbow you’re striking his left (bicep). But if you do it with all of your power, he’s going to fight against you.”
This is when Soke reminded us that no opponent will give up their weapon easily. He said,
“The opponent is naturally gripping his sword, so don’t try to take it from him.”
Instead he advised us to use the opponent’s hold on his weapon for control. You steer him around with it. His tsuka becomes the rudder and you turn his whole body as you walk with it.
But Hatsumi Sensei doesn’t just steer the opponent physically. He said, “You have to be able to do this shin’en jutsu. This is the real meaning of muto dori.” So we steer the opponent by controlling his mind and spirit.
Of Note: take my lumps