Two handed dou attack, passing just holding the shinai with the right arm

[Roberto]

Hello Everyone,

I've been curious about how everyone is taught for hitting dou in general.

My interest is to know what everyone says, not to change nor try to change anyones mind about, but to know how is done in different doujous and to hear what you've been told about my third description.

I've been thaught three types for hitting dou (by Japanese teachers from 7th to 8th dan).

The Firsts is the regular one, when the left hand stays on its place in the tsukagashira.

The second is taking the left hand nearer the right, while hitting dou and making it "easier" to pass through.

The third one is hitting dou with BOTH hands (left hand on tsukagashira), and after the hit/cut, just holding the shinai with the right hand, passing through.

[shred_lord]

I've been taught all three. Though on the third I've been told to recover the left hand hand grip as soon as possible.

[hl1978]

Been taught all 3 as well and like shred lord, if preforming number 3 re-establish the left hand as quickly as possible. If we were cutting with real swords this would be less of an issue for obvious reasons.

I find that if I can control my opponents sword/body the entire time while preforming big do so that they can never actually cut me, I am almost always in the number 1 position. its a bit different for small do though since you can't use shinai on shinai contact to fully ensure that.

[ben]

I've been taught one and two but only ever had version three pointed out as a bad habit, being that it does not display 刀法. Rationale is that in passing through with shinai in right hand only the shinai usually follows a "U" shaped path which would not be possible with a sword. b

[b8amack]

I was taught 2, and told the third only kodansha can pull off correctly, maybe for the same reason Ben's talking about, so not to do it at my lowly level.

[nodachi]

I've only been taught 1 and 2, but have been told to move away from 2 as I improve over time.

[Neil Gendzwill]

To me 1 is preferable, don't like 2, 3 is what happens if you are passing a little too close and space is too tight to keep your grip.

[Welshy]

In my dojo we're taught to do method 1. I try for 3 deliberately, because I think it looks cooler.

[Roberto]

Thanks for everyones answer!

I was curious to hear comments and opinions, since they're not uniform/equal about this cut in particular, and for me seems to be quite misunderstood sometimes.

For my case I feel that is good to know the three of them, but for shinza I'll choose number 1, since the diversity of opinions with the other two.

As for number 2, I don't like it much, and prefeer number 3, since I feel that the motin can be done faster by the "u" motion of the shinai.

For number 1, actually it's helped me to understand to know how is the wrist motion of the left hand when doing dou, or kaeshi dou, since I didn't have before the knowledge of the left hand motiond during the kaeshi dou, and my shinai, after blocking and trying to cut dou, used to get on my aite's shinai.

One thing that I didn't likemyself is that one 8th dan sensei was pointing about number 2, that the zanshin can also be done just after cutting, and without passing all the way through, to trun to chuudan no kamae to aite's direction. It's more shiai style though.

[NorthernKendoka]

I personally believe that option one is the most proper and correct but not always that easy to perform. I have a fourth option that I use myself when I feel that it is necessary. Instead of letting go completely with your left hand just loosen the grip so that you only hold the shinai with the thumb and index finger if possible also the middle finger. That way you never really let go and can quickly get your grip back without sacrificing flexibility while passing the opponent.

[b8amack]

If you're losing your grip, you're doing 2 wrong, I think.

[MikeW]

I have been taught 1 & 2 and have seen plenty of 3. The sensei that I have trained under basically have said that #1 is the correct way, #2 & #3 are shiai style.

[ender84567]

A quick note on number 2 or moving the left hand, from Saito Shigeki sensei: The reason for dou this way is to correct the hasuji at close distances, and is his preferred way of doing it. He recommended that everyone at least try doing it that way occasionally, but between this and #1 is a personal preference. I don't really have an opinion on it at this point, but a hachidan's thoughts might give people some insight.

[Thunder]

I was under the impression that Number 3 is only really suitable for people who know what they are doing. IE - Higher ranks that have a massive do strike, one that is so clear, powerful and precise they can get away with a weaker body position during zanshin (grasping with one hand on sword as they follow through).

For the rest of us...stick with the 1 & 2 until we have mastered it. (I know my do strike isn't ready for one handed zanshin!)

[b8amack]

If when you're doing 2, the only thing you're changing is moving your hand up the tsuka, it would explain why you're losing your grip. 2 is hit differently than 1, as I was taught it. Also my earlier point, 3 may be a valid strike, but if you're doing it because you lost your grip attempting 2, then you're doing 2 wrong, and should forget about 3.