Category Archives: Reflections Along the Way by Steven Shaw

There are many obstacles when training in Aikido and Iaido.  The biggest one I face is the language barrier.  There are so many Japanese phrases that have approximate English translation definitions.  One of my Iaido students has been trying to teach me some Japanese, though he, himself, isn’t fluent.  He gave me a dictionary andContinue reading “The Axle and Torque”

At the end of kirioroshi(vertical downward cut) the hands should be slightly below the knee.  Note the angle of the sword and thigh.  Even though the cut is finished, the feeling with the tip is still pressing down.  Keep training!

When doing the first chiburi in Inyoshintai(also known as Eishin ryu chiburi or Suhei noto[horizontal or level] chiburi), it is important to keep the blade edge to the right and the tip slightly lower than the hand so that a drop of water/blood could roll down the slope. If executing Suhei noto chiburi, one shouldContinue reading “Chiburi in Inyoshintai”