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.