Shima Dojo 10/16/2007

This class was much like a typical Kihon Shibu class. We started out with sanshin no kata to get the blood flowing. We followed that with a few stretches targeted at the hips. Then we worked on zenpo kaiten. Zenpo kaiten should be performed just like you were going to do zenpo ukemi. From shizen no kamae kneel onto one knee while turning it inward some, place the same side arm down as in zenpo ukemi and propel yourself with the opposite side foot. Next was koho kaiten. From a seated posture extend one leg and bend the other. Perform the kaiten by rolling over the shoulder opposite the extended leg. Then we strung the two together by performing zenpo kaiten, rotating in place, then performing koho kaiten.

Next we worked on ichimonji no kamae. With a partner one would assume ichimonji no kamae while the other would look for any openings and check our footwork. Then from ichimonji no kamae we practiced a jodan tsuki. Again our partner would check for errors.

The following exercises were applications of ichimonji no kamae. Before beginning there was a short talk about the role of the uke. The uke is training just as much as the tori. Therefore the attacks the uke performs must be sincere, otherwise, what are you really defending against?

1. Uke: Ichimonji no kamae, jodan tsuki.
   Tori: Shizen no kamae. When the uke performs the jodan tsuki you assume ichimonji no kamae. The kamae is the same side as the tsuki with your front hand to the inside of the uke and the rear hand to the outside of the tsuki. From there drop into gedan ichimonji no kamae toppling the uke. A variety of atemi may be applied with the most obvious being omote shuto.
   


2. Muso Dori
   Uke: Cross katate dori.
   Tori: As soon as the uke has you step back into ichimonji no kamae so that the hand that was grabbed is the rear hand. Then pivot on your front foot around 90 degrees to the outside. Your front knee and the uke's front knee should line up. Drop into gedan ichimonji no kamae.
   


3. Omote Gyaku (Kukishinden)
   Uke: Katamune dori.
   Tori: Grasp the wrist and step back into ichimonji no kamae (same side).
   


4. Omote Gyaku (Classic)
   Uke: Katamune dori.
   Tori: Step back into ichimonji no kamae (opposite side) as your front hand pushes against the uke's wrist away from your body. Use the rear hand to force the uke's grip free by pushing it upward and away. Step back with your front foot into another ichimonji no kamae as you apply omote gyaku.
   


5. Muto Dori
   We did three of these. The first was from shomen giri. The tori just rotated on one foot to evade the cut. The second was from migi kesa giri. The tori kneels and rotates hidari towards the cut. The third was from hidari kesa giri. The tori kneels and rotates migi towards the cut.
   

Good stuff.

Gambatte kudasai!