Question 8. Regarding the movement of Yaegaki?

Ans. a) Take the horizontal Nukitsuke movement stepping forward with the right foot. b

b) Do the Kiritsuke movement with the left foot forward and the right knee on the floor. Kiritsuke movement must be at the same time.

c) Noto action must be done must be done smoothly in the same posture.

d) Next the left foot is brought to the rear to take up Han-mi (Diagonal body posture). Sune-Kakoi (Knee protection) is done at the same time.

Addition 1) : As stated these actions should coincide with each other. Nevertheless all too often I see the right knee touching down too late in Kirioroshi. Nakayama Hakudo Sensei also made determinations regarding this at Toyama Nukitsuke is the same as Mae (Sho-hatto in Shinden). At the same time as Furikaburi, the left foot is brought forward to the right foot. Following this Kirioroshi with the left foot stepping forward. Also at the same time, the right knee must not touch the floor. Please consider this.

2) As mentioned the Sune-Kakoi posture is called Han-Mi. According to the explanation of Hokiyama Sensei : Because the body faces left, it finishes in Shumoku-Ashi (Foot pointing left). However the face must be forward. At this the body seems to facing a different angle. The diagrams show alternative body positions. Nevertheless there is no cause for concern on these postures, because there is no pause in the Sune-kakoi action. Kiritsuke action must be continued straight away. In my opinion a pretty movement is used nowadays. Possibly because there are so many Gradings and competitions.

Question 9. Regarding Tsuka-ate in Oroshi?

Answer .The purpose of the Tsuka-ate movement in Oroshi is to strike the centre of the opponent who is leaning forward to seize your Tsuka. Addition : Strike the centre of the opponents face with the Tsukagashira. The main motivation of Tsuka-ate is because the opponent is Òtrying to seize your Tsuka. Move it downward to the left, then immediately strike the opponents face. There is a special method of doing this;

Action 1 Move the Tsukagashira downwards to the left. Action 2 move following an upward circular movement to a position higher than the opponents head. Action 3 Then thrust down and forward striking the opponents face. You will soon ascertain the logic of this movement when you conceive the location of the opponent.

Question 2. Timing between techniques?

Answer In between each technique there is always Ma or distance, (see note). Continuous movements should not carry into each other. There must be Ma at the of each technique in preparation for the following action.

Addition :Ma in Kendo could relate to a distance between two fighters. But in Iaido it is a type of gap which is rather difficult to explain. However the following explanation was used by Oh-e Sensei and my teacher Yamamoto Takuji. Grip the Tsuka firmly (with one or both hands) at the end of each action before starting the next movement is to study under a competent teacher/instructor to perfect the matter of Ma.

(Editors Note) To those that are new to sword arts, Ma is perhaps better translated as an interval. An interruptive period or space between two opponents.

Sections 2 and 3