Tag Archives: kihon kama

6/10

20140610 Jeff Reasoner Leave a comment

Was supposed to be a longer training session getting ready for the seminar in Canada, but Sensai was unable to attend and class was led by Zack instead.

Performed all kata through Pinan Yondan. Paired off with Simon to work on Pinan Sandan before breaking into groups to work on short weapon of choice. Picked kama and worked on that along with Olivia.

Worked on Fukyugata Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Pinan Shodan bunkai in groups of 4-5 rotating through the attacking parts.

Worked through Hanagushiku No Sai a couple of times at the end of class along with Dave, Noah and Jessan.

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5/27

20140527 Jeff Reasoner Leave a comment

Class was led by Sensai.

Worked on applications of the opening moves of Fukyugata Ⅰ, as well as bunkai for the first two parts of Fukyugata Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Pinan Shodan. Broke into groups and performed our highest kata. I felt like I had a reasonable presentation of Ananku. Power and pace were good, but I thought my kiai were a bit late. Afterwards, Alex commented that he’d never seen it before, and Dave told me he thought it was good. I think I saw a nod from Sensai.

Practiced Fukyugata Ⅰ with kama. Sensai had us enhance the kata by changing several parts. One was to augment the gedan-uke in the kata by blocking down with the back of the kama first, and then rolling over and slicing down. Another change (during the first sequence of three front punches) is to block down simultaneously with the backs of both kama and then them swing up and over in a looping pattern to hook an attack from the opposite side. Still another is to reverse the grip for the jodan-uke so the hook part of the kama is facing up and out (in order to catch an attack). Finally, think about free-form additions to the kazami-zuki, jodan-zuki and opening section front punches. All of this is in preparation for eventually working on Kishaba No Kama.

Worked briefly on Kihon Bo Ⅰ again this week.

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Ides of April

20140415 Jeff Reasoner Leave a comment

Sensai reminded again to work on including a twisting motion in our blocks and punches to add power and snap to techniques in the kata. Particularly in gedan-uke and jodan-uke of Fukyugata Ⅰ. The gedan-uke should also include a twisting at the hips, since the block should start from the opposite shoulder and come across the body.

I’ve noticed that I need to work on getting more consistent about turning my hips 45° in (especially the first) kosa-dachi in Pinan Shodan.

Sensai also made several comments regarding Naihanchi Shodan. The first was to think of the morote-barai-uke in terms of cutting. It should also be as deep (in terms of distance from beginning to end, as well as away from the body) as possible.
Secondly, the rounded block needs twist to generate power since it only moves a short distance. Finally, the entire kata should be performed on one level.

Began working on Ananku with Zack. It’s shorter than I expected and most stances are zenkutsu-dachi.

Was asked to lead and count Kihon Kama Ⅰ. Good thing I’ve made it a point to practice kama a lot this year.
Strikes should be delivered from the shoulder or across the body.
After striking, the return to the chambered position should include a motion where the elbow pulls in toward the body – think about dislodging the blade from a body or staff.

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Two weapons, no joke

20140401 Jeff Reasoner Leave a comment

Performed Pinan shodan and Naihanchi shodan katas, and also worked on some interpretations.

Pinan shodan

Two variations on the opening sequence, one based on the bunkai where the initial attack is chudan-zuki with the right hand and the other where the attacker uses the left.

Another interpretation of the opening block where the attacker uses jodan-zuki and the double block traps the punch.

Naihanchi Shodan

There is a lot in this kata, but we only worked on a couple of parts tonight.

A basic application of the opening sequence – shuto, hiji-ate and grabbing and pulling the opponents arm in.

Also worked on the later sequence starting with the double block. In this application we changed direction, stepping forward rather than to the side and applied the downblock as a strike to the opponent’s side. Sensai stressed thinking of this move in terms of cutting. Reminded me of another class earlier this year where we were applying techniques from the katas.

Kobudo

Performed Fukyugata Ichi and Kihon kama katas in class for one of the first times this year. I recall missing most previous kama weeks, due either to other commitments or weather-related cancellations.

Worked on Sai dai-ni and Hanagushiku-no-sai. Sensai wants to teach the latter kata the way Soke used to teach it, which includes nekoashi-dachi rather than zenkutsu-dachi. He also said the version performed in the videos on the the NZ site is alright. I’ll use it for reference for practice outside class.

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Monday, kumite week

20140114 Jeff Reasoner Leave a comment

Kumite

Lots of free sparring. Sempai Wands emphasized moving right and left and attacking at the same time. Harder to see and defend than attacking from the front.

Yakusoku kumite

Practiced 1-7. I need a lot of work here. I appreciate Laura and John’s forbearance. Sensai was critical of our effort and focus. Need to make sure this is not lifeless kumite and that techniques are delivered and defended against as if it was a real fight. Referenced O Sensai’s book.

Technique

Practiced punches on the makiwara and kicks to the bag. Sensai pointed out that I need to use the outside of my foot more on the yoko geri. I was either using my heel or not turning my ankle enough. My right-hand punches were generally correct, but some of the ones on the left were not landing on the index and middle knucles.

Kata

Sensai went over the counts in Naihanchi Nidan and Sandan. Mostly, each count has 1 technique in Nidan however several in Sandan have 2-3.

Reviewed Kihon Kama Ichi/Ni. I have the basic pattern down. Sensai emphasized jigotai to zenkutsu-dachi transitions in the strikes.