Most dojos I have trained at have differences in etiquette. Watching others and copying them is probably the best rule of thumb. The examples in this video are ones that are definitely going to get you into trouble even if you see others doing them. And we do see other people doing these things. Probably... Continue Reading →
Training Basics: Migi No Harai Tsuki
When talking about the technique it is called "Migi No Harai Tsuki". When issuing the command for the technique it is "Migi wo harae tsuke". Terada sensei performs the kihon (basic) version of the technique at 00:26. Reach forward with the mokuju and rapidly bring it back into kamae knocking the opponents mokuju off the... Continue Reading →
Kata: Mokuju tai Mokuju 1: Chokutotsu
The person that initiates the kata is called Uchikata The person that performs the technique is called Shikata Mokuju versus Mokuju kata is started 9 steps apart Basic Movements: Starting from Chudan 3 steps each to issoku itto no ma (ten cm overlap of mokuju) Uchikata tenses as if to strike, this makes a... Continue Reading →
Fumikomi Exercise
Fumikomi for jukendo is very important and slightly different to other martial arts I have done. Today’s footwork exercises are lead by Hisatsune sensei. As Hisatsune sensei demonstrates the distance taken for each step is very small and the back foot comes up very quickly. During each step you are in a vulnerable state and... Continue Reading →
Training basics: Kote
A very important aspect of receiving (and striking) Kote is to remember that the target is actually the heart. It is simply that the receiver attempts to cover their heart with their kote which results in the differently named strike. As with Omote, Ura and Shita the striker does very little different to a normal... Continue Reading →
Receiving Chokutotsu
We went through the basics of Omote. Now a bit more detail on the motodachi side of things. The Motodachi sets the tone of the exercise. Pay special attention to the footwork used by the motodachi. As the strike lands a tiny step backwards is taken and the upper body receives the impact. The concept... Continue Reading →
Training basics: Katotsu / Shita / Shita wo Tsuke / Shitadou
Katotsu, Shita, Shita wo Tsuke, Shitadou all end up meaning about the same thing but have different contexts. Katotsu (lower thrust): Usually used for the name of an exercise e.g. Katotsu San Bon (3 times) Shita (Down): The strikers mokuju is beneath the hands and the mokuju of the receiver. Shita wo Tsuke (strike): Grammatically... Continue Reading →
Ura / Dattotsu/ Hazusetsuke / Uwadou
Dattotsu, Ura, Hazuse tsuke, Uwadou all end up meaning about the same thing but have different contexts. Dattotsu (evading thrust): Usually used for the name of an exercise e.g. Dattotsu San Bon (3 times) Ura (reverse side): Usually used when describing the path to the target and is in the context of what the receiver... Continue Reading →
Chokutotsu / Omote / Tsuke / Uwadou
Chokutotsu, Omote, Tsuke, Uwadou all end up meaning about the same thing but have different contexts. Chokutotsu (direct thrust): Usually used for the name of an exercise e.g. Chokutotsu San Bon (3 times) Omote (and Ura) describes the relative positions of the two mokuju when striking. Omote means the strikers mokuju is in front of... Continue Reading →
Basic Strike Technique
Starting from kamae ensure that you are not holding the mokuju too tightly. Perform the thrust with the hands moving in the straightest line to their final position. As the thrust concludes ensure that you have "shimeru". This is where everything is locked in position. From kamae to strike there should be no extra movements.... Continue Reading →