This Aiki Ken page is merely setting a foundation .....
which is what we all should do if we aspire to build anything greater.
Foundations take patience.
Furuya Sensei on Swordsmanship:
Letting go of the idea of “sword” and the idea of “action” is the meaning behind “willow in the gentle breeze.” When the slight summer breeze blows, does the willow follow the “nature of the willow,” or does it follow the “nature of the breeze?” Please think about this - in this lies the essence of sword technique.
Below is a link to Aikido Journal Newsletter. There is always something of value for the Aikido student to find there.
Essentials skills for sword mastery... “Ken suburi and kumitachi” – The basics of the Aiki Ken are centered on the suburi and kumitachi. Familiarity with these fundamentals leads to an ability to acquire more advanced sword skills such as tachidori or "sword taking" techniques as shown above...
Essentials skills for sword mastery... “Ken suburi and kumitachi” – The basics of the Aiki Ken are centered on the suburi and kumitachi. Familiarity with these fundamentals leads to an ability to acquire more advanced sword skills such as tachidori or "sword taking" techniques as shown above...
Look straight ahead.
Don't open the front foot too far when changing posture as it will detrimentally effect hip movement on strike.
Narrow posture, as if walking a bridge parapet.
Pelvic tilt needs to be understood fully to make it effective and safe.
Leading foot lands toes first, heel lands with end of boken cut.
Suburi is mind of no mind, do not think 'cut' but seek perfection of movement, complete peace and harmony with body and spirit.
Elbows not wider than shoulders
Don't open the front foot too far when changing posture as it will detrimentally effect hip movement on strike.
Narrow posture, as if walking a bridge parapet.
Pelvic tilt needs to be understood fully to make it effective and safe.
Leading foot lands toes first, heel lands with end of boken cut.
Suburi is mind of no mind, do not think 'cut' but seek perfection of movement, complete peace and harmony with body and spirit.
Elbows not wider than shoulders
Sensei Tony Sargeant performing Tachidori at the Taisai in 2014, hosted by Wellsprings Aikido club Dorset. |
|
********************************************************
When facing your partner in preparation for practice you should already have been
in a state of awareness long before.
(Remember. If you have to prepare then you were never ready.)
However, in being ready, do not tense or give away your readiness to the attacker.
Your kens should not touch prior to the practice itself, for had they touched
one of you should have taken the energy and entered.
The fact that kens touch and no action ensues is an indicator that neither partners were truly ready. How often might you have heard the click clack of ken against ken ... sometimes even followed by a knowing embarassment and apology ... when the teacher says, ' First kumitachi, three times and change.'
When facing your partner in preparation for practice you should already have been
in a state of awareness long before.
(Remember. If you have to prepare then you were never ready.)
However, in being ready, do not tense or give away your readiness to the attacker.
Your kens should not touch prior to the practice itself, for had they touched
one of you should have taken the energy and entered.
The fact that kens touch and no action ensues is an indicator that neither partners were truly ready. How often might you have heard the click clack of ken against ken ... sometimes even followed by a knowing embarassment and apology ... when the teacher says, ' First kumitachi, three times and change.'
Tachi Dori sequence below by Sensei Tony Sargeant 6th Dan Aikikai of TIA Europe. Venue; Kefalonia 2013.
|
|
|
Above Tachi dori by the Late Sensei Tim Buswell, uke is Carl Deloyd Sensei . Venue Koriana Dojo.
|
****************************************
When practicing ken variations, (henka) , here shown is a henka from the first kumitachi.
Make sure you keep your thumb and fingers in a safe place .... if you want to keep them anyway..
Slide show, right, Sensei Tony Sargeant 6th dan teaching a third kumitachi henka in his Kefalonia Dojo. His student is Sensei Sergei Stoliarov from the Russian Federation. The sequence shows the importance of timing, positioning and posture. |
|
|
Photo sequence left shows Sensei Sergei and Sensei Michael at practice with ken at the Kefalonia Dojo |
Although the photos feature the Jo the same principles might be considered for the Ken. Remaining in your relaxed centre your inate being is calm and aware. The ideas come from the practice of Tai Chi and that seem to fit comfortably with my years of Aikido practice.. I wish I had known this before.
|