Toyama Ryu Kata - Ippon Me (#1)

Ippon Me (一本目) Mea No Teki (前の敵)

#1 Enemy to the front

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. As the right foot comes forward, 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. At the end of the first step the katana should be about halfway from the saya. Step forward with the left foot while performing Batto Gyaku Kesa Giri (upward diagonal cut to the right made as the katana leaves the scabbard). Make sure to Saya Biki (draw scabbard from sword) and fully draw the katana before making the cut. Step forward with the right foot while stepping under the katana as it rotates to the rear. Hidari Kesa Giri (downward diagonal cut to the left) to the neck. Shuffle step forward as the katana is raised into Chudan no Kamae (middle guard with point of sword level with throat).

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. Bring the left foot forward making it even with the right foot as the katana is seated in the saya. The left hand is left at the top of the saya (scabbard) with the thumb holding the tsuba (guard) to keep the katana in place. Run the right hand along the top of the tsuka (sword handle) and then place it back on the right thigh. Take five steps back to the starting position. Move the left hand back down to the original position.

Basic-pull back saya
Make sure you put hand on obi-kurikata check (on chiburi)
You are cutting back of arm
Make sure cuts are nice and big (don’t just place sword where it is going)
Final kesa ends at knee
No load for cuts

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