Bujinkan Bojutsu: 太刀落 Tachi Otoshi

From https://www.rojodojo.com my Bujinkan 六尺棒術 Rokushakubō Jutsu video exploring 太刀落 Tachi Otoshi. I explore the foundation of 詒変捌 ihen sabaki and it is something you may find familiar. This simple bojutsu kata teaches us how to disarm a swordsman. I was surprised when I discovered that what it really teaches is how to live. This is like one class where I heard Hatsumi Sensei say, "Don't lose the art, we are studying life."

五境五界詒変捌型 Gokyō Gokai Ihen Sabaki Gata.

Warmed up with basic 六尺棒術 Rokushakubō Jutsu 受身 Ukemi.

Tonight we were studying 太刀落 tachi otoshi. This kata seems so simple. But often these simple kata hide deep lessons.

First, get the kamae right. Then, like we did in the last class connect to the rhythm of your partner’s attack. Then allow it to move you like muto dori.

If you get all this right, the rest of the class is easy.

So now you receive with your bo. We explored three distances for this: long; middle; and short. In each case, the footwork arises from your opponent’s attacking rhythm.

Then for the follow up strikes, you use the advantage of he length of your bo to increase distance. As you strike kote, stay shielded by your bo. Then increase distance as you strike to the head. If you are skilled you should be able to take the longest possible distance in the one interval of the strike.

This ability of expansion and contraction of the kukan is advanced. It is a key component of ihen sabaki. And even as I share this, I know that it is only one aspect of many. Just like any technique, it is a tool to be available to you.

But the expression of ihen starts elsewhere. Even though I can do this, I still don’t know how to teach this part. Maybe it can’t be taught. Or maybe I am still following along in the footsteps of Hatsumi Sensei. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of him up ahead on the path.

Of Note: Doing it wrong is a great lesson.