Toyama Ryu Kata - Happon Me (#8)

Happon Me (八本目) Itto Dodan (一刀土壇)

#8 Single stoke execution

Stand with both feet even and the hands down at the sides and slightly forward. The knees should be slightly bent, the back straight, and the body relaxed. There is one enemy kneeling on the ground to the front. The right foot is slid to the right to achieve a wide stance. As the right foot begins to slide to the right, the right hand should move the grasp the tsuka (handle) and the left hand should move to the top of the saya. The katana should be loosened from the saya by pushing on the tsuba with the thumb of the left hand. The katana should be drawn horizontally with the edge forward. At the beginning of the draw the saya is shifted forward and rotated. The katana should be completely out of the saya when a wide stance is achieved. The katana is moved to an overhead position as the left hand moves to the tsuka (handle) and the body is raised up. A Gedon Giri (Low vertical cut with the kissaki ending level with knee) is then performed as the body is dropped down into a squatting position. The back should be kept straight and cut should end with the monouchi (last foot of the blade) horizontal. The kissaki should be raised to throat level as the body is raised back up.

Chuburi (fling blood off of sword) finishing with kissaki (sword point) in front of right knee and the left hand at the obi over the saya. The kissaki should be at a height between the knee and the waist. Bring the left hand to the koiguchi (mouth of scabbard) and position the saya (scabbard) for the noto. Begin the noto by bringing the habaki (blade collar) to the koiguchi (mouth of scabbard) with the blade held horizontal. Push the katana forward running the mune (back of sword) on the left hand at the koiguchi (mouth of scabbard). Let the kissaki (sword point) drop in the saya (scabbard) and snap the saya forward to align it to the mune (back) of the katana. The katana is slipped slowly into the saya keeping the mune pressed against the saya. Drag the right foot back to the left starting when the blade is about 1/3 in the saya and finishing as the katana is seated in the saya. Run the right hand along the top of the tsuka (sword handle) and then place both hands down at the sides in their original position.

Not around back-over left shoulder
Always cut fast!!!!
Do not open space-don’t give opponent time to do anything
Sword back like you are stabbing someone behind you and cut fast

Samurai Swords   Iaito (Practice Swords)   Shinken (Cutting Swords)
Wakizashi (Short Swords)   Tanto (Daggers)   Japanese Weapons   Maintenance
Uniforms   Sharpening   Sword Repair   Sword Customization Tatami Targets