Kihon-Waza Hassei-Ho
We worked on a basic partner bokken technique today. This set is on the sho-dan test and is focused on precise response timing for block-counter strikes. It is derived from the Shinkage-ryū school of sword and is incorporated into our Aikido weapons program. Shinkage-ryū is one of the oldest sword technique lineages in Japan. The only american school of shinkage-ryū is actually here in NYC and it's tempting to start taking classes there--so much of Aikido is based on sword work and it's beautiful. The other form of sword that I'd like to study—in part because it's the form the my last two sensei practiced—is Iaido. Most Aikido students only practice basic aiki-ken, the reduced set of bokken techniques most closely related to Aikido (interestingly, many aikido techniques hardly change when the uke or nage hold a sword).
In this waza, the techniques are largely four repeats with small variations. The emphasis is on moving efficiently and practicing timing.
3 comments:
Partner work with swords always gets me focused!
How's the knee handling the cutting?
So far the only worries I've had with the knee have been throws. The extra weight (and therefor momentum) from having another person attached to me is something I've been avoiding for 6 months and my brain's is not quite compensating right. However, only once did I feel something that worried me--and that's made me seriously cautions. Also, I felt some small strains also a couple of times executing jumping moves. The most pronounced of which was not in Aikido but doing Grace with Kenway on Tues. Seems to been fine today, so all is well so far.
And, yes, having someone come at you with a sword--even a wooden one--does focus the mind.
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