Second Annual U.S. KIAI Summit June 23, 2007
Contributed by Phil Scudieri, KIAI President and Hanshi
The weather was sunny and bright as KIAI instructors from the US got together at the Delaware Budokan in Selbyville Delaware. This summer weather allowed the participants to hold most of the training outside.
Sensei teaching
The theme of this years seminar was Hitotsu no Tachi (Sword of One) of the Itto Ryu and Myo Ken (Mysterious Sword) of the Itto Tenshin Ryu, and the San Sai Ryu. After warm up exercises, (suburi) some basic kihon (exercises) were reviewed and then we began drills to break down the waza (techniques) and develop each part of the kumitachi.
The first heiho (strategy) was Hitotsu no Tachi of the Itto Ryu. This waza is best suited for the shape of the sword. This is an all or nothing strategy. We first did a drill where we stood at 90 degrees of our partner and would strike across the mune to achieve a feeling of “live hands” This is essential in order for your blade to bounce off your opponents sword. There is a simultaneous block strike action in one count, not 2 as in “block-strike” This waza is also called "kiri otoshi"
Drill for Hitotsu no Tachi -- Chris Puckett (Maryland) strikes the mune of David Ciemniewski (CT.Budokan)
The next drill we did was kiri oroshi, each person than stood facing each other, both cutting downward aimed at the center of each others forehead. One must have strong nerves to make this strategy work. As both cut down, the shinogi (raised line on the side of the blade) of each blade hit, knocking the opponent’s sword to the side with you completing your stroke. It was this waza that brought about the invention of the kote or kendo glove by the Itto Ryu.
The next portion was dedicated to the kumitachi Myo Ken of the Tenshin Ryu. As your opponent comes at you, you must breathe as one and your hyoshi (timing) must be exact. As Shitachi attacks with a series of three movements to capture you into his breathing pattern and timing, you mirror his image then counter from gasumi gamae, moving in one direction than another in a blink of an eye. The Tenshin Ryu and Yamate Ryu versions are quite similar. The Tenshin Ryu version ends with a long slow kiri oroshi cutting from head to waist and the Yamate Ryu version ends with a jumping to Uchi Tachi’s left side ending on your knee.
Celinda Ellsworth completes Myo Ken from the Yamate Ryu with Alex Kaznica
The last section was devoted to “Ippon Kumitachi” based on Myo Ken of the San Sai Ryu. These were quite risky so each move had to be done slowly then faster as competence improved. The first waza we did was a step to the side with a tsuki simalar to gassumi gamae (the mist). One was based on hito-e-mi or “make your body small”.
Hito-e-mi Mike Skowronski
Another we practiced, was Age Uke. This is where you walk down straight toward your opponent and he cuts downward and you apply a morote rising block (two hands) and a tsuki.
1332 Morote Age Uke - Dennis Maahs blocks Jon Machmuller’s bokken, before tsuki
We also practiced a kumitachi from Ten no Game (Posture of Heaven) which used a katate (one handed) cut -strike "kiri otoshi" than a lift of Uchi’s bokken and sliding in.This were the basic heiho we practiced with henka.(variations). We compleated this section with sode tsuki from the Itto Tenshin Ryu and an iai kata with a shoto.
Lauren Lobo and Celinda Ellsworth working on Ippon Kumitachi
At the end of the day we did tameshigiri (test cutting). We were unable to obtain regular mats from standard suppliers so, as luck would have it, by living at the beach, we purchased bamboo beach mats, soaked them and double rolled them. They ended up working quite well. They were also very inexpensive.
After the seminar everyone participated in a reception and cook out. I know everyone went home exhausted yet more enlightened in the way of Hitotsu no tachi and the Mysterious Sword.
KIAI Instructors:
David Ciemniewski-Connecticut, Michael Skowronski- Maryland, Scudieri and Celinda Ellsworth-Delaware
Dr. Walter Orth - Delaware, William Messick- Delaware
Senior Instructors: Chris Puckett – Maryland, Jon Machmuller-New Jersey, Scudieri Sensei, Celinda Ellsworth Delaware Budokan,
Walter Orth Delaware Budokan, William Messick Delaware.
Thanks all participants who attend this exciting event. See you next time!!
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