"Thrusting is Stronger Than Swinging!!" ...THINK AGAIN!!

[@letsasksekisensei]

🎫Purchase Your Ticket to the Annual Asayama Ichiden Ryu Training Camp in Japan: www.patreon.com/c/lets_ask_sekisensei/shop ⚔Join the Online Kobudo Training with Seki Sensei⚔ Sign Up HERE (One Lesson FREE): www.patreon.com/lets_ask_sekisensei Interested in taking lessons directly from the 22nd headmaster of Kobudo Asayama Ichiden Ryu, Seki sensei? Sign up to learn authentic samurai skills with 400 years of history with perfect English interpretation from Let’s ask Shogo (kzbin.info). ❶ No previous martial arts experience is required; you can catch up anytime ❷ Every lesson will be RECORDED and will be available to rewatch anytime ❸ You can ask Seki Sensei questions about the techniques and samurai culture/history ❹ You can join even if you belong to another Ryuha style ❺ You can receive OFFICIAL DAN RANKS by taking exams online (and opening a DOJO in the future) 🛍Purchase the Equipment You Need for Training: tozandoshop.com/letsaskshogo🛍 🗡Iaitō (training katana): tozandoshop.com/collections/habahiro-heavy-weight-iaito/products/byakko-tenryu-semi-custom-iaito?variant=34479502164101 *🗡Bokutō (wooden katana) with plastic Saya (scabbard): tozandoshop.com/collections/iaido-bokuto/products/the-nyumon-iaido-beginners-set 🥋Dōgi and Hakama: tozandoshop.com/collections/kendo-uniform-sets/products/basic-synthetic-kendo-uniform-set-1?variant=39417538216069 🥋Inner Obi (any color): tozandoshop.com/collections/iaido-obi/products/cotton-kaku-obi?variant=34282096230533 🥋Outer Obi (must be WHITE): tozandoshop.com/collections/aikido-obi/products/white-aikido-obi?variant=34120442413189 🦯Short Jō staff: tozandoshop.com/collections/polearms/products/4-21-shaku-jo?variant=39604823195781 🦯Long Jō staff: tozandoshop.com/collections/polearms/products/5-shaku-bo?variant=34073586106501 🧐Frequently Asked Questions About Our Online Lessons: Q❓: I have no experience with katana. Will I still be able to catch up? A💡: You don’t need any previous katana martial arts experience to participate in our lessons. Seki Sensei, the instructor of the online lessons, will carefully instruct you on how to handle the katana regardless of your level. You will also be able to access all the videos of the past lessons so you can watch what every other student has learned. You can also send us videos of your progress, and Seki Sensei will be happy to give you feedback. Q❓: What is the right length of the Iaito (zinc alloy training katana) I should use? A💡: Please purchase an Iaitō at least two blocks longer than the standard length. The standard length for Seki Sensei is about 177cm, so he should use a 2.45 Shaku long katana. However, he uses a 2.6 Shaku-long katana that is supposed to be used by someone 190cm tall. If the katana is too short, it becomes too easy to draw, which is not good for training. Q❓: Can I join even if I belong to a different Ryuha style? A💡: Yes, it’s not a problem at all. The Seki Sensei himself has trained in more than five styles and various other weapons. If you don’t want others to know that you are participating, you can join the online lessons with your camera off. To have the Sensei check your progress, you can send us a video of you practicing. 🗡Join the Online Iaido Training with Seki Sensei🗡 Sign Up Here (One Lesson FREE): www.patreon.com/sekisenseiiaidotraining Interested in taking Iaido lessons directly from the 8th Dan Iaido Master with 40 years of experience in Musō Shinden Ryu, Seki sensei? Sign up to learn authentic samurai skills with perfect English interpretation from Let’s ask Shogo. ❶ No previous martial arts experience is required; you can catch up anytime ❷ Every lesson will be RECORDED and will be available to rewatch anytime ❸ You can ask Seki Sensei questions about the techniques and samurai culture/history ❹ You can join even if you belong to another Ryuha style 💻Seki Sensei's Official Website💻 sekisensei.com/ 🎵Original Opening Theme Song "Hyakuren"🎵 Performance: Hanafugetsu (Singer/Suzuhana Yuko, Shakuhachi/Kaminaga Daisuke, Koto/Ibukuro Kiyoshi) Compositions & Arrangements: Suzuhana Yuko Mixing & Mastering: Watabiki Yuta ❓What is Asayama Ichiden Ryu? / Who is Seki sensei?❓ kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJKlfKCNoq-jgNk 📱Instagram📱 instagram.com/lets_ask_sekisensei/ *Please ask us questions through the DM here #katana #iaido #kenjutsu #kobudo #asayamaichidenryu

[@MGesierich]

Thank you for the video. I don't think I could follow the Katas in this video. But since I'm currently in bed with a cold, I don't do any Kata right now anyway. But it's allways good to see Seki-sensei's demonstration. To quote another person: The joy on Sensei's face while he is teaching is beautiful to watch.

[@daswordofgork9823]

As said by Rodolfo Cappoferro in his treaty, “a thrust, even though it is devious and deadly, can be moved with the force of a child.”

[@zwidowca1]

I know that this is essentialy a necro response but... it really depends on what sort of weapon the thrust is executed with and the speed/momentum of the attack. Displacing a thrust form an arming sword, a katana, a longsword or a sabre is very different from displacing a thrust executed by a greatsword ( or Zwei/Montante ), a polearm or a quarterstaff. Polearms and quarterstaffs in particular can be nasty, since they have quite a bit of heft to them. Try moving an inch thick oaken staff aside... that takes effort if the sparring partner actually intends to hit you. Polearms are even worse as they are just... heavier. You would need to catch the thrusts quickly, to fully steer them away from yourself.

[@deschain1910]

@@zwidowca1 Have you practiced this before? Because my intuition is that the greater mass of those weapons wouldn't make a huge difference because the biggest thing that makes thrusts easy to move is that to avoid the damaging part of the weapon you only need to move it a very small amount and you aren't needing to work against the direction of inertia at all. In other words, you only need to move the weapon maybe a couple of inches at point of contact, and the force/inertia is moving toward you while the parry motion is moving to the side not against the path of travel of the weapon. This means the force you're using to divert the path of the weapon is the same as if the weapon wasn't moving at all. Maybe less because the opponent can't quickly counteract the sideways direction of force you're introducing when they are thrusting forward.

[@mishael1339]

​@@zwidowca1diverting a polearm thrust requires less force actually, since you have greater leverage. A a well held knife thrust will be the hardest to divert actually. A polearm's strength in thrusts comes not from how hard it is to divert- but in the inability to punish a missed thrust with a shorter weapon, allowing you to recover and thrust and faint again and again.

[@zwidowca1]

@mishael1339 eh... no? it all depends on what exactly happens in that situation. If the thrust is coming in at an angle then it already can be a tad harder to deal with? The enemy can choke up on the weapon shaft and shorten the leverage? What is your claim based on? I actually test this stuff, sadly nobody I know owns a halbeard or sth like that for hist. fencing yet so I cannot be sure about "advanced polearms". I did test it with spears and quarterstaffs however. "the inability to punish a missed thrust with a shorter weapon" This statement flawed. Depending on the situation and context you could grab/secure the shaft of the weapon after a displaced/missed thrust, thus nullyfying the range difference. Grappling, distance control and securing the enemy weapons are very much a thing? Also, what is a knife doing in this conversation? I would NEVER want to use a knife if we are thinking about a duel situation and one side only has a knife and the other has a different historically acurate weapon ( a saber for example ). The only worse option is bare bloody hands. The knife user is mostly f*cked from the get go. Lack of range and options against a heavier, longer weapon. Why displace a knife thrust when you can just... not let the thrust happen at all? Hit the enemy while they are out of measure? Control the enemy aggression with your superior range? Prevention is better than a cure? The whole thing with polearms is that you cannot easily control them and the enemy if they are at their optimal measure or attacking distance. The instant you have a knife and somebody else has a longer weapon same applies to them. You cannot approch them safely to threaten with that thrust bruv. You also have to assume that you are fighting a competent combatant, not an idiot who will just let you do what you want.

[@nickjohnson2664]

Depends on the type of thrust as well. A strong, twohanded thrust from a yari (where the distance between both gripping hands remains constant, and both hands maintain a strong grip), whilst slower and with shorter range, have a lot of leverage and strength behind it. Sliding thrusts (where the distance between the hands shortens, and the spear-shaft slides through the grip of the front hand) and one handed thrusts have much less leverage, so are easier to deflect, but have greater speed and range, making it more difficult to react to.

[@slabside45]

The joy on Sensei's face while He is teaching is beautiful to watch.

[@adriantepes4355]

Ikr? He seems to be passionate about the art

[@neohenry8292]

There were many similaries with fencing from this video since two of the three classical weapons in fencing (the foil, epee, and saber) are thrust only. I will be using fencing terms and using square brackets to designate the fencing term. 1:56 is an example of an [attack on the blade] against a [thrust attack] via [parry through expulsion (which is very rare to see in fencing)] followed by a [thrust riposte]. 2:44 is an example of a [beat parry] against a [beat thrust attack], followed by a [cut riposte]. Anyone that think a [beat], which is another [attack on blade], in a [beat attack] is undefeatable have never faced against a [beat parry] with a [cut riposte]. It is so simple to learn that we do not invest much time to studying this unless you request a private or plastron lessons to get gud with [beat parry riposte] against a [beat attack]. The tac-tac sound is very memorable. 3:15 is an example of a [compound attack], which is different than a [simple attack] that we've seen so far. Often than not, a [compound attack] is multiple attacks, and the likely intention for a [compound attack] is deception. The deception can be manifested as a [feint], which is a simulated [offensive action] to elicit a [parry] so that in the time of their [parry] the one deceiving can make another [attack] to land the hit. Interesting enough, the first [attack] is not a [feint] but a deceptive action since by definition a [feint] elicits a [parry] but not a [parry riposte], and the intention for the deceptive action is to elicit the [parry riposte with a thrust] (and to add on that, an [angled step], a type of [footwork] to go off of the [line of direction]) so that one can do a [circular beat parry] and not a [lateral parry], which are different types of [parries] due to the trajectory of the blade when defending. TL;DR, [compound attack] to elicit a [parry riposte with a thrust] and [angled step] for the subsequent [circular beat parry riposte with a thrust]. I have to mention the [circular parry] in light of its importance in this kata. 4:13 is an example of using a [counteroffensive action with a thrust] with [evasive actions] against a [compound attack]. A [counteroffensive action] is an [attack] that simultaneously offend and defend compared to a [parry riposte] that defend then offend. [Counteroffensive actions] use one [tempo] compared to [parry riposte] that use two [tempo]. [Counteroffensive actions] are highly situational and high skilled since if someone messes up the [angulation] for the [counteroffensive actions] with [blade opposition], a double hit can ensue, which is very bad. Because a [compound attack] can take more than two [tempo] compared to a [counteroffensive action] which can take one [tempo], logically the [counteroffensive action] has better [economy of motion]. This is not a technique recommended for beginnners; get gud at defending first before you try this. 5:57 is an interesting case since the [parry] forces the opponent to do a [cut] since any [disengagements] around that [parry] will be too big. This is also a case of a [delayed riposte] since it is normative for the [riposte] to be immediate right after the [parry], but like all things in combat, they have tactical reasons. TL;DR, against a [compound attack] that starts with a [thrust attack] and forced to do a [cut attack] due to the [parry]'s blade geometry, [delayed cut riposte]. It should be reminded that even if you know these kata, you must practice these kata else you will get defeated by the very same attack that your katawere made to defend against. Kata and drills teach you fundamentals so that you don't do stuff by rote; don't be a robot swordsman! also, on god the analysis with fencing term

[@deschain1910]

This was a really great and in-depth comment. I think it's also worth pointing out something that the introduction of your comment pointed toward but didn't spell out. As you mentioned, there is a discipline of fencing called saber which uses slashing attacks, AND thrusts are not illegal in that discipline (you can still score with the tip of the weapon). Yet still most of what you'll see are slashing attacks rather than thrusts. The idea that if given the option between slashing and thrusting, thrusting is always best, is a very flawed idea, and I'm really confused about where this idea has come from and how it has become so popular in modern thought.

[@matiasdelatorreoverton3612]

In sparring i've found that yes, thrusts are quick and often "deadly" when you can accurately do them. Yet if you miss (I often miss), you just give up the center of the blade and at least half of your body is exposed to a counterattack just as seki sensei displayed. Also, when you thrust, you should try to do it with a guard to avoid the latter. Edit: forgot to mention that your guard should be facing your opponents sword with the strong side of your blade, or the edge in the case of the katana. Great video as always!

[@narusawa74]

Have you tried to only commit the upper body to the thrust? You can use that as a feint to a switch of target (light tip thrust) or if he fumbles to parry just now step forward behind your thrust ( as you said with a guard position just in case...😂) I haven't tried it in kenjutsu yet but it's a usual deceiving and entry attack with longswords or rapier. And the body mechanics and purpose of actions are the same in Seki Sensei form. Same idea of barely putting the attack line off your body and thrusting while shielded behind a guard. I think you can dui-tempi or contra agaisnt a thrust too. I always favor the " in your face as I deflect your sword" kind of tempo. But I'm full of polluting reflexes, sneaking HEMA in kenjustsu and getting scolded by my Sensei😂

[@matiasdelatorreoverton3612]

@@narusawa74 absolutely yes, we mainly try to thrust in the upper body since is where your point is most of the time when you fully extend your arms (We call this langen-Ort in German longsword). I am just learning to apply this techniques as a matter of fact.

[@toddellner5283]

I have only had a very small exposure to good spear work, but overcommitted thrusts are no more part of the proper use of that weapon than overcommitted cuts and thrusts are to swordsmanship

[@Traumglanz]

I would assume that this applies to all kinds of sword play. You only can do a thrust if it's guarding yourself as well and the best ones usually are when you step out of line and adjust the blade alignment for maximum safety. If you do this they are mighty hard to deal with, especially with fast swords.

[@matiasdelatorreoverton3612]

@@Sir.Alonne I am told it depends a lot on weapon and scoring systems, the judges, etc.

[@guyhogan4882]

There are so many philosophical masters of any martial art, but practical masters like Seki Sensei are rare gems. The complexity comes from the simplicity of the moves. I truly wish I spoke Japanese so I could learn directly from him. Love this video.

[@corvus119]

Thanks for the videos! As a Toyama ryu practitioner that frequently spars, seeing these techniques are very eye opening for the times I do gekken.

[@Solitary_Scribe55]

Fascinating techniques. I study and practice Italian rapier. Thrust-centric fencing is indeed complex and difficult to master, even with a specialised thrusting weapon. Very interesting to see similar ideas applied to other types of swords. Is the Kasumi(?) stance a good guard from which to thrust against a potential downward cut?

[@carloxexier4363]

I have a problem dealing with my classmates' stabbing attacks with their bokken. Thanks for the explanation and lesson.

[@charlieoan9984]

Notice how Sensei use the other side to parry/block to avoid damage the blade, then quickly switch back the blade to cut the opponent. Currently I'm practicing on this, and I can say it is not easy, maybe it'll took tons of practice to do it as fast and as accurate as Seki-sensei.

[@narusawa74]

Yep lots of reps sir. And with partner. Look at the angles and don't over-deflect. Going slow to find the right angle and timing is the long part to learn. It's a technique you find in many styles including rapier, except we don't need to protect from edge damage so we go straight into what's called Quarta and "wall" our left side as we thrust. I like how kenjutsu adds that body twist to make it easier and gather energy before the tsuki !!! Question for Seki Sensei , please. Do we first use the money of the blade and then twist left before the tsuki? Or we use the side of the blade first and then twist for the tsuki? Thank you for your time.

[@doloinc]

As with shooting: slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Once it becomes second nature, you'll gradually reach flashing steel speed

[@KateJohn2013England]

Brilliant 👍 Thank you Master Seki, Shogo and all for all you do. Hope you all have a happy golden week and next Saturday goes well . Wish we could be with you. Sorry will not see you Friday we are working 😢 But look forward to archived lesson and following week. Take care. Stay safe John and Kate

[@kevinleukhardt9560]

Hi Shogo, This was the exact situation I have wanted to know about. Thanks very much for asking Seki Sensei to teach this kata to us! I must get a partner to safely practice this move with me. I really appreciate this lesson very much. As things happen in society; the more we will need this knowledge to protect family and friends in situations like this. Thank you again!

[@benjnunez3861]

Eishin Ryu has a technique against thrusts. It's called 'Suigetsuto'.

[@kietlam9198]

could you give me the link to that video please? I couldn't find it 😢

[@kraptastic333]

What Suigivesuto, Suigetsuto

[@NolivemaninaDeadsystem]

Couldn’t find it on the internet…must not be true😂

[@fabiangerten]

If my time allowed, I could spend the whole day practicing the numerous techniques that are made available to us via the online archive. But even so, I was able to learn a lot from Seki Sensei in just 8 weeks!

[@jarlbregadan914]

In longsword fencing we have a lot of techniques that make thrusting both safe for the attacker and difficult to parry for the opponent, but our swords are different to the katana, we have quillons, straight and usually longer blades. It's interesting to see how the shape of the sword shapes the style.

[@FroFencer]

Ahhh those first two techniques tickled my olympic fencing brain so much! Nice to see similar techniques being used with another weapon. That deep parry with the cut was really cool too! I like seeing how a katana would implement cuts afterwards where I would angle in a controlled riposte with my epee! Love that you are translating the content! I have watched a bunch of the non-translated videos trying to gather what I could from them!

[@mir9302]

Great video. Sensei's Tai sabaki combined with the use of the sword structure to redirect the opponents attack is truly beautiful to watch.

[@kamilszadkowski8864]

The principles seem the same or very similar to European swordsmanship but are applied in a very different, distinct manner. Very interesting and the presentation is flawless.

[@jeffhunter3402]

Very well done with subtle movements, bravo. Especially how Seki Sensei controls the space between the Uke and himself

[@Tito_Viera]

Oh my god!! How I didn't know about this channel!! Shogo many tanks for bring us Seki Sensei. There's not many quality content here in youtube about kobudo. Seki Sensei thanks for be generous with your knowledge and share it with us. I wish you good fortune. Many thanks from Chile 🇨🇱

[@BigBatts]

Seeing this done so elegantly makes me really appreciate the time it must have taken to get to that level of proficiency. I can barely push a broom with any accuracy, let alone handle a razor mid-flight with any skill.

[@richt63]

Great post. I think the matter of surprise is the ultimate defense and offense in any situation. These katas are just ways to respond.

[@kraptastic333]

Thank you for the continued videos. I hope the online course does well. Cheers

[@Kimusubiaikidoorlando]

Watching Seki Sensei's technique, I wonder why he is not consulted in Japanese movies involving the sword. His movements are so honest and effective, but they have an elegance that really show well on screen. Imagine the fight choreography he could create. Amazing.

[@Nozinbonsai]

People like seagulls do the movies.

[@randallpetroelje3913]

Using the whole body behind the blade is most effective. The Master is correct and joy in his heart as he teaches. Unsurpassed. A simple tsuki with katana can penetrate armor. Look for the “openings “. Beautiful.

[@jimanHK]

the beauty of the sword movement is amazing

[@TheEliasNoel]

Love this, also love how you always reexplain his explanation in English for further clarity while showing lots of angles.

[@seancarter6492]

I absolutely love learning about all this kind of stuff. I took capoeira for a while years ago and my favorite part was our sensei would give us a little bit of History before each class.

[@moristar]

Last demo is straight up anime :) Thank you so much!

[@geovaughan8261]

To quote Frank Herbert “Killing with the point lacks artistry, but don’t let that hold your hand when the opening presents itself.”

[@davefletch3063]

Greta stuff.nice to see the use of the curvature to good effect. sense is movement is outstanding

[@trentweston8306]

Fantastic video guys I never imagined using the structure of the katana to parry like that 😮 wow!

[@toddellner5283]

Reach is important which is why, at the grossest level, a tachi has an advantage against a tanto until you are at very very close range and why the spear, not the sword, ruled the battlefield including in Japan. But as you say that isn't the entire story. The saber, for example, was still very popular on the battlefield up until WWI for many of the same reasons you point out

[@althesmith]

As George Silver said in the 1500's, there is no "perfect fight" without use of both edge and point.

[@ralphmueller3725]

@3:29 I noticed the stance shift also removes a lot of your body profile from the adversaries optimal strike zone. Good offense and defense at the same time.

[@krubik4215]

Considering the question about sheathing the katana, I saw your video posted on the mini katana channel. I don't know if that was a coincidence or an immediate response, but either way, I highly appreciate your effort to make these videos. It helped me a lot. 😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@temporaryname8905]

These turns of the katana after parrying are amazing.

[@dsaunders185]

Love the videos with Seki sensei! I my friends and I practice frequently and these videos are easy to absorb and offer answers to some great questions. Thanks Guys!

[@aaftiyoDkcdicurak]

When you're not young anymore you will start to appreciate the raw mechanics. By then you should realize winning the fight is more critical than looking cool.

[@DeptalJexus]

Learning how to counter-attack from stabbing is the most useful thing in real-life situation. Most criminal cases involving knives usually happens by stabbing.

[@bluejellosuu9583]

as always, thank you for your efforts and thank you for the lessons thank you seki Sensei and shogo.

[@NemanjaNislija]

One more important point is that, yes, people will generally swing rather than thrust in high-stress situations with lots of adrenaline coursing through their veins. I think there's a point about it in the book "Swordsmen of the British Empire" or similar, there's a video on it on Scholagladiatoria's channel. Namely, the British officers noted how hard it was to train people to thrust on the battlefield, as even experienced swordsmen who were taught to favor the trust for years would often end up swinging wildly as their fine motor function degraded and instinct took over. You see this even with boxing, where tired and hurt opponents will start to throw wider and sloppier power punches instead of straight ones when the stress is high, or they get frustrated with an elusive opponent.

[@rainbowtroutin]

Would love to see Seki Sensei defend/counter against strikes coming from the side as well. Most of the time the strikes come straight down so a simple step is enough to dodge, but what can you counter with when you can't move side to side? Love the videos keep it up!

[@Nozinbonsai]

The rolling and flipping connection between jo nihonto naginata etc stops people from chopping wood and really feeling what they are doing, which stops fear. That's what higher training is doing.

[@alexeireyes3683]

The katas here are the most amazing ones I've ever seen from any ryuha! I'm floored and will spend lots of time to study it. Thanks for posting this. Seki Sensei's proficiency with the katana is unparalleled. I hope you can post kata on how battoujutsu works for the tachi if there are any such techniques in kobudo or kobujutsu.

[@gcsekharsharma3245]

Thats fantastic tricks to learn. Thank for u and the master.

[@peydan]

Thank you so much for these videos! This is so interesting!

That is absolutely beautiful video, what an awesome display of skill

[@user-wg6fe5uj8r]

I really like that last one. For HEMA the only real difference is targeting the wrists as they come down instead of the body.

[@overeasymode]

Wow the moves are so subtle. Seki Sensai really is a chess master with swords.

[@thinkordie7292]

Thank you again. The lesson is very educational and edifying. 🙇🏾‍♂️

[@akumabito2008]

Love the body mechanics, couled with using the design of the katana itself. Very cool to watch!

[@tyronekim3506]

Very good lesson. Thank you.

[@matthewblackledge5464]

We love Seki Sensei!

[@cassiuslives4807]

Seki Sensei is a magician... makes it look so easy

[@AEsir_Goji]

I'd like to see these used in a film. Fascinating!

[@cheezeofages]

Another thing my own teacher would say about thrusting is that it narrows the danger area of the attack to a tiny point, but doesn't really reduce the profile of your weapon for parrying or require drastically changing the basic movement of the parry. You can parry a thrust with very similar movement to a swing. Thrusts are faster and have better reach, but they're smaller in all the bad ways and none of the good ways.

[@MrBatraaf]

Fantastic video; especially the techniques that use the curvature of the blade. I will definitely try to put those in practice.

[@ninertactics]

I like his kobudo.. i did notice most of what he shows is drawing his opponents in while he places himself on a superior position. What if we need to be the aggressor due to time and positional constraints.

[@thac0twenty377]

Seeing the connection between rhe footowork and the structure of tbe sword is fascinating. I mever saw that. befoee. Thank you.

[@q767976]

謝謝！

[@moralessanchezoscarelias6412]

I bet you have to train a lot to execute those moves! Great video

[@nightraid7]

Good stuff 🔥

[@Vekren]

Hey congrats on 100K subs! You guys easily reached your goal before the deadline!

[@OverlordMake]

Good video. Haven't seen most of these counters!

[@elgrandjefe4661]

Very good demonstration, love the elegance of the movements. I'd like to see it against western style one-handed thrusting weapons. The reach is much different, the body of the attacker is farther from his target.

[@magnustuve]

Thank you for your generous teachings. Could you please show handling and kata with Jo? Im curious how that would differ from jo within aikido.

[@doloinc]

Shogo, Could you and Seki Sensei do a video on the history, differences and benefits for different zukuri? For instance, the most common zukuri design would be the shinogi style, but I prefer the shobu style due to its better penetration potential (at the expense of being more fragile). The way I understand it, the shinogi was replaced with the shobu specifically to address the Mongol threat and be better for penetrating their armor.

[@sandman17100]

Advanced Kenjutsu, long time no see.❤

[@bladetasticknives5712]

Thank you 🙏🏼 Sensei !!

[@Vekren]

Thank you Shogo and Seki Sensei for your amazing videos and the camera person as well. Let's give props to Seki Sensei's partner, his form is really good. I would think if they were a novice the attacker would do many horizontal strikes, if trained I suppose they would do a down cut. What about diagonal strikes, from the low position and from high to low like X cuts, when could we do them, should we ever do them? Oh I see you have a video on diagonal cuts, I'll go watch it now.

[@Welterino]

I think stabs are favoured just because they are much harder to defend, you need precise timing to parry a stab while to defend from a swing you simply put something in the way and it's done (unless it's a swing from a heavy 2-handed weapon then you will never block it unless you have a shield).

[@hmott4]

Love this channel and your other one. Am interested in hearing if Sensei or you have any thoughts or connections with people who have handicaps and practice Iaido, Jodo, or Tanjo. My left foot doesn’t work because of a firefighting accident. Am shodan in MSR here in Los Angeles. Would like to learn more for myself, but also to share with other people around the world who practice or want to practice Iaido. Thank you.

[@shawncayton2889]

I love the similarities between longsword and katana

[@mattbrown4895]

I enjoy the videos! Does Seki Sensei train Jiyu Kata? Not-prearranged kata? I have heard this is a very old method of training that is not practiced much these days. Keep up the good work!

[@shawnbarry3893]

Great training thanks

[@blaiseman2287]

If I'm facing someone like Sensei, I'm never stabbing out of fear that he might Mikiri Counter me like in Sekiro.

[@robertochacon5338]

Rapier entered the chat to remember 1582 Cagayan battles

[@bongkem2723]

the key here is knowing what your opponent gonna do !!!

[@HatiTheMoonChaser]

Okay...a food for thought here. What Seki-sensei says is correct. But here we are dealing with a simple action-reaction approach. This is not exclusive to a defended only, because as an attacker I can also "chamber" my opponents reactions. For example feint thrust, and as soon as the opponent goes to parry my weapon, I disengage the weapon under their blade and engage again from the inside, it's a small twist of the wrist, that would put my blade back on the inside, safely pushing out the opponents blade outside ending up in a similar position as at 4:30, except the attacker would be standing therefore very safely and easily stabbing the opponent. Also the assistant does follow blindly into a trap. He does a motion, gets countered/deflected, and then without any thought for defense or cover makes another step forward. This is an invitation to get stabbed, and if the opponent does such a thing what Seki-sensei does is a perfect follow up to such a situation. But now raise the level of our assistant, a swordsman's plan cannot be "I will attack and I will succeed", because it limits your ability to react to the changing of the flow in combat. A more appropriate thinking is developing a stratagem such as: "I will attack with a cut to my opponents left shoulder so that he may block, if the block is late or he does not, I will succeed in my cut, if he does block, upon feeling the contact of the blades I will immediatelly pull the blade back to cut at the opposite side of my opponent to his right shoulder, but I will also step to my left so to create a better body position to defend a possible attack from my opponent, and I will do so, by cutting to my opponents right shoulder and then continue the cut and stop it in such a way that my blade now is located between my body and my opponents blade, which was on their left side because that's where they were blocking, insuring my safety after a successful cut." In short just like in chess you need to have at leasts some idea for about 3 moves ahead. Otherwise move by move just leaves you open to counters such as the ones demonstated by Seki-sensei

[@krubik4215]

I have a question about sheathing the katana. To describe it, I can sheath it, but when it glides, the sword isn't flat on my left hand. It's more angled. 😅

[@dragos_503]

Well.. Thrusting can be mikiri coutered

[@husam-al-din-baybars]

If you look closely at any attack, its either a thrust or some sort of cut. However, when you attack, need to make sure that you cut or thrust while you are covered. None of these cuts or thrust performed by the attacker are safe! No one cut or thrust like that :) This is the same problem with all martial arts that doesn't pressure test. 😒

[@viniciuspaiva3889]

I only use trust when I lose/feint a cut or when I parry and the opponent don't change position. To me, these are the best/safer ways to use trusts, the opponent has to be much better then you to escape.

[@aurag1760]

Regularly seeing other channels about HEMA i'm wondering if any kata was specifically designed to counter western ennemies (because of the difference in weapons and armour), or if there was never a need to ?

[@jimanHK]

Simply beautiiful.

[@andrebaxter4023]

What a coincidence. I just thinking about the thrust tactic and how it would be countered using Kenjutsu. This video showed up right on time.

[@danielmilyutin9914]

Thank you for very educating video. I have one more idea and question. On last kata attacker did thrust but made quite long move to return and do swing. However, seems to me naively, he could turn cutting edge to defence party and do cut on back movement instead. Maybe, not to do winning strike, since there was blocking katana, but to create pressure on defence party and for occasional cut. Is this possible situation? What would you do to defend against it?

[@AgeofMachines]

Man...That was cool!

[@stevenoconnor3256]

I'd switch to one hand as it extends your reach. I like to throw non-committal thrusts at my opposite and of course, you could always just have your body in a sideways stance which generally makes defending easier. I've even done it in fistfighting, might be the best way to fight if you have a broken arm.

[@kaguwu]

Serves as a decent hail-mary, but if your one handed thrust doesn't land you are very open to being counter-attacked or disarmed since your sword is farther away from your center, so your control over it is lessened, and you don't have as firm of a grip on it as you would with two hands. It is a very committed attack and would only ideally be done if it was the only way to take advantage of an opening you've spotted.

[@dgsean9775]

Wow, that is one scary old man. I wish to never cross blades with him.

[@jovaunbrown1379]

Awesome!!

[@ScaryLeafz]

Could you and sensei go over fighting techniques that are effective in battle but also will minimize the damage dealt to the katana. Thanks so much!!

[@MtRevDr]

It takes time for vision to tell the brain what is happening and more time for the brain to tell the body to react. That could take 1/19 of a second. By then the opponent's point could have hit you. This is a trick at fun fair for people to catch a falling stick before it falls through the fingers and hit the table below. You see it falling, but your fingers are not told by your brain fast enough for you to start catching the stick. The nervous system takes time to pass message.

[@dubdeluxe6192]

Excellent thank you!

[@afelias]

This feels a lot like the basics of foil fencing. 4-5-6 basic thrusts are met with 4-6 parries which easily allow for ripostes. Oddly enough, the "overhead swing leaves you open" comments don't seem to understand that yeah, even in European swordfighting (HEMA especially) they have the Wrath guard and the overhead from Wrath, very common. There are ways to give yourself the opportunity to go big on those attacks, it's a matter of transitioning from guard stances.

[@ericbencusmagnusfabricius3499]

that last move was cinematic :DD

[@thomasturner4253]

This is amazing

[@AniGaAG]

Trying to "well, actually" a literal master of a martial art in an online comments section is the most 2020s internet thing I've ever heard. x)

[@scollyb]

There's a even more fundamental problem of using a thrust it counter a downward cut, before you consider any counters, even if you are successful the opponents sword is still swinging towards your head and your sword is stuck in them. Unless they die instantly, which is unlikely, you will die too