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Bojutsu vs Kenjutsu vs Bojutsu vs Kenjutsu…

From 8þ Kabutoshimen by admin

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Cutting against his arm

This summer like most summers we train a lot more with long weapons since the dojo is too small to really use long weapons properly. This summer we train Bojutsu against Kenjutsu (long staff against sword). I think I teach and train a little different than most Bujinkan teachers out there, but I can’t really say maybe there is those who approach the training like I do. Let me explain.

Kote haneage followed by Haneage
Kote haneage followed by Haneage

First of all you learn how to use the staff, spinning and striking etc, this is mostly solo-training. Then you learn the Keiko Sabaki Kata (movement practice techniques) in my dojo we only practice one technique for the whole two hour class. Some students really have problems with coordination, others capture it quicker. In this first step I don’t mention distance, timing or anything except which strikes and blocks to make. This can also be solo-training and done alone against an imagined opponent.

Second I take the sword and we focus on how to handle the situation the best way with a sword. If he is attacking me with the staff I immediately counter him by stepping forward. I’m not gonna step backwards defending myself all the time, when he steps in to strike me in his preferred distance out of my reach; I boldly step in at the same time and block the staff and get even closer into my preferred distance so I can cut him with the sword. As I see it this is the only chance I have against a longer weapon, there is no point of running backwards.

Catching the staff and Tsuki
Catching the staff and Tsuki

Thirdly I take the staff again. I attack the kenjutsu-ka fully (not really, but almost) and make sure he does a good block, and as he block I don’t stay frozen or try to push harder on him. As I strike I’m already prepared for the next movement when he comes in and try to cut me, I move out to my distance and do the next strike.

Then I take the sword again and try to avoid being hit from this point in the technique, by blocking and countering again. I’m not really gonna give up or run away. If I can cut I will cut.

Then again I take the staff and try to deal with this really difficult opponent, I avoid his cut and counter him until the end of the technique where I make it impossible for him to do anything. Then the technique is finished without changing the sequences of the strikes, the only thing that is flexible is the distance and the timing. And this is where the true training comes in.

Then at the end of the class we record a short demo to video which will be available for download later. This is how we spend our two hour trainings at Kaigozan Dojo this summer.

No henka, no variations, true to the technique.

Kote haneage as he try to cut my left arm
Kote haneage as he try to cut my left arm

I always thought quality is better than quantity. It is amazing how cleverly these techniques is made up, it is so much more than executing the strikes rapidly against a rather passive opponent. If the opponent (sword-guy) is good and understand how to use the sword there is really not many options to change the technique and do something different, the possibility for henka becomes very narrow, what you can change is very small details. For me this is what henka means, you failed your initial technique and need to adapt because of miscalculation.

I know there are those out there only doing henka-training, but how do you do henka training only, henka of what? If you try to train yourself into intuition without basic foundation you are doing something I don’t understand. You weren’t born out from nowhere, someone did something very basic with someone and you was born. How do you henka anything into existence?

Victory ending of the technique
Victory ending of the technique

If anyone is interesting I’m doing three more one day Bojutsu mini-seminars this summer.

Happy Training!

/Mats

The post Bojutsu vs Kenjutsu vs Bojutsu vs Kenjutsu… appeared first on 8þ Kabutoshimen.…

Shugyou#06 BOJUTSU KEIKO SABAKI KATA Vol.1 with MATS HJELM

From Budoshop by BUDOSHOP.SE

BOJUTSU KEIKO SABAKI KATA Vol.1 with MATS HJELM


Keiko Sabaki kata + Bonus (h.264 M4V/MP4 480p)
100 minutes, 1.6 Gb for $19.99
Buy the full DVD, click here!

Or buy them separately


Keiko Sabaki Kata 1-10
80 minutes, 1.2 Gb for $15.99

Bonus material, fighting in Yoroi
20 minutes, 423 Mb for $6.99

Kukishin-ryû Rokushaku Bôjutsu – Keiko Sabaki Kata Vol.1.
Recorded in Eskilstuna, Sweden – April 2005

This is the second seminar about the Rokushaku Bôjutsu (six foot staff fighting) and covers the first 10 basic waza from Kukishin-ryû Keiko Sabaki Kata. First the basics is taught, and then the technique is brought alive with realistic examples and responses from the defending opponent. The material from the seminar is 80 minutes and 10 techniques.

Techniques covered in depth on this video is the first ten from the Sabaki Kata

1 GOHOU
2 URA GOHOU
3 SASHI AI
4 FUNABARI
5 CHOU NO ISSOKU
6 URA NO HITO ASHI
7 SUSO OTOSHI
8 URA SUSO OTOSHI
9 IPPON SUGI
10 TAKI OTOSHI

The remaining 15 techniques is scheduled to be recorded this summer 2013…

Note: The instructions is in Swedish with sub titles in English.

Note2: There is no manual with this video like previously in the Shugyou series.

Note3: The DVD also includes a 20 minutes bonus material from a training with Yoroi (samurai armor). It includes ukemi with yoroi, Bojutsu against the Yoroi, and unarmed fighting against the Yoroi. As download you can buy just this one if you want.


Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ZFNmPDL1U

About the instructor

Mats Hjelm started training in Bujinkan for the first time around 1983, but it wasn’t until 1986 he had the opportunity to start training more seriously under a Shidôshi. He attends around 20 seminars, go to Japan 2-3 times every year. Since he started training he never had a training break. He takes his budo training very seriously! If you want to sponsor a seminar or course, please don’t hesitate to contact him. For more information see his web site www.kesshi.com Note!

About the download

Click here for more information about our download files and how it works!