Men Cut and Fumi-Ashi

[stfn]

Hey everyone

I started to observe my very basic techniques recently in order to find problems that I would normally overlook.

I noticed, that I have slight differences when doing a plain and simple men cut. Sometimes I think I might be a bit too late doing the cut, much more often, I think I'm doing my step when I'm still raising my for a small distance, which I think is even worse.

So, from what I've heard and read, my cut and the step should be synchronous. When you look at the whole cut (raising the shinai, doing the cut) as one, this would mean that I would start my movement exactly in the moment, the tip of my shinai reaches the "turning" point", right? Or am I completely wrong on this one?

I'd appreciate any comments.

Cheers
stfn

[Peter West]

Generally, but not exclusively, you should hit (cut!) with ki ken tai no ichi. Amongst other things (the following is only part of ki ken tai no ichi) the power for the cut should be delivered with your body weight rather than arm strength. This means (generally) that as your body weight drops with the fumi komi stamp as the monouchi enters the target. The power ultimately therefore comes from the back leg due to the push with the back foot, made stable by the pressing forward and tensing of the abdomen (hara), having a straight right arm and squeezing the tsuka (shibori). Generally you will be expected to shout (kiai) at the same time. This ensures that you are breathing out at the moment of cutting. If the kiai correctly is generated from the lower abdomen then the hara will be tightened. And so, ki (spirit/breath), ken (sword), tai (body) all work together to make the cut. When you do this instinctively, that is to say they are no longer three separate actions happening at the same time, but become one single action, then you will be developing ki ken tai no ichi.

[shred_lord]

this would mean that I would start my movement exactly in the moment, the tip of my shinai reaches the "turning" point", right? Or am I completely wrong on this one?Are you asking if you should start to step forward as the shinai changes direction at it's zenith?

[stfn]

Are you asking if you should start to step forward as the shinai changes direction at it's zenith?

Yes, that's the question I tried to ask. I'm sorry if my explanations weren't expressed properly.

stfn

[JSchmidt]

Yes, that's the question I tried to ask. I'm sorry if my explanations weren't expressed properly.

stfn

You should start your step forward, so that the shinai and right foot lands at the same time. As you get more advanced, the timing will change depending on the situation.
For most beginners, that timing is when the left hand ( on the downswing ) reaches eye level.

[jjcruiser]

Generally, but not exclusively, you should hit (cut!) with ki ken tai no ichi. Amongst other things (the following is only part of ki ken tai no ichi) the power for the cut should be delivered with your body weight rather than arm strength. This means (generally) that as your body weight drops with the fumi komi stamp as the monouchi enters the target. The power ultimately therefore comes from the back leg due to the push with the back foot, made stable by the pressing forward and tensing of the abdomen (hara), having a straight right arm and squeezing the tsuka (shibori). Generally you will be expected to shout (kiai) at the same time. This ensures that you are breathing out at the moment of cutting. If the kiai correctly is generated from the lower abdomen then the hara will be tightened. And so, ki (spirit/breath), ken (sword), tai (body) all work together to make the cut. When you do this instinctively, that is to say they are no longer three separate actions happening at the same time, but become one single action, then you will be developing ki ken tai no ichi.

Not that my naive opinion counts for much, but that's a very helpful description, one of the best I've ever read.

[bobdonny]

When you look at the whole cut (raising the shinai, doing the cut) as one, this would mean that I would start my movement exactly in the moment, the tip of my shinai reaches the "turning" point", right? Or am I completely wrong on this one?



As a beginner you do it this way to help with timing. You are correct.
As you get more advanced, they will appear to move together but depending on your techique they may move faster or slower inrelation to each other.

[1stdan]

Not that my naive opinion counts for much, but that's a very helpful description, one of the best I've ever read.

I agree JJ thats one of the best descriptions i ever read. now I think i am doing t all wrong HA!

[Bokushingu]

I'm a beginner too, but a few years ago I found my wazas getting better when my Kiai improved. When i developed an un-inhibited sincere all-out Kiai, my ki ken tai started to improve. i became more focused & more committed to my strike & i stop paying attention to the mechanics of the strike.