Jodan No Kamae!

[Brian R. VanCise]

Okay I was working out yesterday and I spent alot of time just practicing the basic downward cut with a katana out of Jodan no Kamae. I try to practice with fluid, relaxed form and not overcommiting. (being off balance and yes their is a story behind why

) How often do you practice this by itself and what are the characteristics that you are attempting to achieve in your practice!

 

[Bigshadow]

How often do you practice this by itself and what are the characteristics that you are attempting to achieve in your practice!

I have a little. I try to be balanced as well and to not overcommit, but I am always trying to do this with all movements as best as I can. But one of the things that I have been really trying to work on regarding a cut from Jodan is being able to close some of the distance without appearing to have, so my cut is deceptively closer than uke realizes and also arrives sooner than uke expects.

I have had a glass of wine, so I hope this makes sense!

 

[Cryozombie]

Okay I was working out yesterday and I spent alot of time just practicing the basic downward cut with a katana out of Jodan no Kamae. I try to practice with fluid, relaxed form and not overcommiting. (being off balance and yes their is a story behind why

) How often do you practice this by itself and what are the characteristics that you are attempting to achieve in your practice!

You know what I have problems with when I do this?

You know how you slightly shift your hips to "open" them up and align them when doing the cutting? (sorry, I dunno if I described that right) Well, I tend to shift the hips, pause, even for just a second, and then go... putting the two togther kills me... then after I do several, it gets smoother, then I go back to it some other day, and I find myself doing it all over again. Frustrates me to no end. So I am TRYING to make that smooth.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

I have a little. I try to be balanced as well and to not overcommit, but I am always trying to do this with all movements as best as I can. But one of the things that I have been really trying to work on regarding a cut from Jodan is being able to close some of the distance without appearing to have, so my cut is deceptively closer than uke realizes and also arrives sooner than uke expects.

I have had a glass of wine, so I hope this makes sense!

That makes perfect sence Dave. Personally I find a lot of pleasure in practicing basic things over and over again. Practicing just a downward cut from Jodan no kamae gives me the opportunity to make sure that by body position and alignment are correct and that I am making sure my hand position on the handle is also correct. Plus keeping my balance and not reaching. Just the little things like this I find enjoyment with whether I am practicing with a booken, fukuro shinai or my treasured iaito.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

You know what I have problems with when I do this?

You know how you slightly shift your hips to "open" them up and align them when doing the cutting? (sorry, I dunno if I described that right) Well, I tend to shift the hips, pause, even for just a second, and then go... putting the two togther kills me... then after I do several, it gets smoother, then I go back to it some other day, and I find myself doing it all over again. Frustrates me to no end. So I am TRYING to make that smooth.

Sounds good Cryo! Keep relaxing and eliminate that pause. Plus have your teacher critique you and point out where he/she thinks you can make imporvement.

I also understand what you are talking about by pausing during a movement. That can be frustrating!

 

[bencole]

Okay I was working out yesterday and I spent alot of time just practicing the basic downward cut with a katana out of Jodan no Kamae. I try to practice with fluid, relaxed form and not overcommiting. (being off balance and yes their is a story behind why

) How often do you practice this by itself and what are the characteristics that you are attempting to achieve in your practice!

Brian, have you had a chance to attend Luke Molitor's swordwork seminar? He's taught it a couple of times in the Cleveland/Chicago area. It's quite good, and might help you to figure out that cut.

It's definitely one of the most tricky cuts that we have.

-ben

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

Brian, have you had a chance to attend Luke Molitor's swordwork seminar? He's taught it a couple of times in the Cleveland/Chicago area. It's quite good, and might help you to figure out that cut.

It's definitely one of the most tricky cuts that we have.

-ben

No I have not Ben but one of these day's I will have to check out a Luke Molitor seminar.

 

[Cryozombie]

No I have not Ben but one of these day's I will have to check out a Luke Molitor seminar.

Oh, yeah, definatley. I've only been to one of Lukes seminars and it was awesome... when he was here last he did Kukishinden ryu and some Togakure ryu sword over the course of 2 days... it was amazing stuff.

Markk Bush had him down in Morris Illinios, I know thats a huge haul from where you are, but if he comes back out (which we are all hoping... Markk, Hint Hint) you should make the time to come see him...