Whistling Blades!

[Halcyon]

Tachikaze can be a useful tool, but it's better not to focus too much on it as an objective. Tachikaze can lead you astray. If you're too intent on producing tachikaze, it can make your cut a bit small and whippy. Instead, think of the large arc that you want to create with the monouchi, making sure that it is reaching the target. When you look carefully at someone cutting, you can tell, even when they use a sword without a bo-hi, whether the hasuji is correct and whether the trajectory is correct, using the whole body, rather than just trying to whip the sword around quickly.

[sirius1906]

Tachikaze can be a useful tool, but it's better not to focus too much on it as an objective. Tachikaze can lead you astray. If you're too intent on producing tachikaze, it can make your cut a bit small and whippy. Instead, think of the large arc that you want to create with the monouchi, making sure that it is reaching the target. When you look carefully at someone cutting, you can tell, even when they use a sword without a bo-hi, whether the hasuji is correct and whether the trajectory is correct, using the whole body, rather than just trying to whip the sword around quickly.

Paul, let me know if you need me to demonstrate whippy cut. :P

*sigh* so frustrated.

[Halcyon]

Paul, let me know if you need me to demonstrate whippy cut. :P

*sigh* so frustrated.

Dude, don't give up. As long as you know you want to change something, you're in good shape. When you already think you're good enough, THAT'S when you're in real trouble.

[corwyn]

Tachikaze can be a useful tool, but it's better not to focus too much on it as an objective. Tachikaze can lead you astray. If you're too intent on producing tachikaze, it can make your cut a bit small and whippy. Instead, think of the large arc that you want to create with the monouchi, making sure that it is reaching the target. When you look carefully at someone cutting, you can tell, even when they use a sword without a bo-hi, whether the hasuji is correct and whether the trajectory is correct, using the whole body, rather than just trying to whip the sword around quickly.

Or, if you're Parker-sensei, you still get loud tachikaze, even without a bo-hi. O.O

[sirius1906]

Dude, don't give up. As long as you know you want to change something, you're in good shape. When you already think you're good enough, THAT'S when you're in real trouble.

Of course I am not giving up, just frustrated is all. I think I figured out how I get that sloppy left hand during cut. Part of it is too much right hand (what else?), and also I noticed I don't have correct tenouchi. the left hand is slipping off, so the meaty part of my palm isn't on top of the tsuka. I am paying more attention to my cuts... it's gonna take some time to correct this bad habbit.

[rfoxmich]

When you make your cut breath out through your mouth.. then you can make whatever whistling sound you want.

[pgsmith]

then you can make whatever whistling sound you want.

As long as your pea doesn't get stuck!

[Kokoro777]

In that case, I'll forget all about it....

Thanks for all your constructive and interesting replies-I've learned an awful lot.

[hl1978]

In that case, I'll forget all about it....

Thanks for all your constructive and interesting replies-I've learned an awful lot.

You can get an iaito with a blood groove design conducive to whistling. Years back, a dojomate of mine had a double bo hi which whistled quite strongly.

You can use it as a feedback mechanism (try making some "wrong cuts" that are to small, or try using varying amounts of wrists etc and you will notice a different pitch), but don't get totally wrapped up on it.

[Maro]

You can get an iaito with a blood groove design conducive to whistling. Years back, a dojomate of mine had a double bo hi which whistled quite strongly.

You can use it as a feedback mechanism (try making some "wrong cuts" that are to small, or try using varying amounts of wrists etc and you will notice a different pitch), but don't get totally wrapped up on it.

It's not a Blood Groove!@ The only double Hi blade I've swung had a very distinct sound. Higher pitched and more difficult to hear - not the best feedback. Don't sweat it - when you're training in a group or at a seminar, you won't hear it anyway

[hiraoka]

Actually, if you cut too high or at the right level, the sound will also be different. Right now, i was told i'm cutting far too high instead of forehead level ><.

[Kendoka]

Why can't I get my Iaito blade to make that satisfying whistle as I cut through the air? I know that its not an aim and it should come with time, but it seems everyone else in my club has no difficulty eliciting that delightful sound from their blades-even beginners! ...

Hasuji!

It's been mentioned above, along with other good advice.

Basically, if the centreline of the cross section of your blade is aligned perfectly with the trajectory of the blade travel, then, the hasuji is correct and if your iaito has "hi" (grooves) they will create the sound as the sword moves through the air.

As suggested above, if you are still not hearing the sound, try altering (correcting) the angle of the tsuka in your hands. A bit of patient experimentation may be needed with that task.

Speed and power alone won't fix it.

I suggest also asking your sensei for some feedback on your techniques as well.

[Kokoro777]

I have a class tonight so I will-in an unattached manner-experiment with hasuji and a all the other suggestions. I do note that I get wonderful tachikaze when I perform Ochiburi where the travel of the blade is long, so perhaps I'm simply not accelerating at a great enough rate during my cuts. Just to verify, the blade shouldn't go beyond the horizontal position when preparing for kirioroshi?

[still learning]

... I get wonderful tachikaze when I perform Ochiburi where the travel of the blade is long,.....
..... so perhaps I'm simply not accelerating at a great enough rate during my cuts.
..... Just to verify, the blade shouldn't go beyond the horizontal position when preparing for kirioroshi?

Your comments [above] imply;-
Your Ochiburi 'travel' is greater than when you cut kirioroshi. (Interesting)
Second point seems to suggest that you accelerate more through your ochiburi than when cutting. (Interesting)

Last point; the [tip of the] sword/blade should not drop below horizontal at furikaburi/beginning of kirioroshi. (Correct)

[Peter West]

Your comments [above] imply;-
Your Ochiburi 'travel' is greater than when you cut kirioroshi. (Interesting)
Second point seems to suggest that you accelerate more through your ochiburi than when cutting. (Interesting)

Sounds like a stiff inflexible left wrist to me.