Giho 45 How to stab as a finisher/ 留めの突き
This time will be an explanation on a stab used as a finisher when wielding a spear.
It is an attack that puts the spear’s length to the utmost use.
This time allow me to explain 留めの突き (todome no tsuki – roughly “finisher stab”), another way of handling the spear.
Up until now our basic stab has been basically the small and nimble one.
This time will be a stab that we use as a finisher once we’ve rendered our opponent immobile.
It’s a devastating and far-reaching stab.
Stabbing demonstration
I’m going to actually do it now.
First of all, I assume a posture where I leave one wakizashi’s length to my spear’s 石突 (ishidzuki).
From this stance, as I let my left foot slide to the front, I move my right hand near the 石突 (ishidzuki), lean far forward, and stab.
At this time, I make my arms and my spear form one straight line. And I’m leaning far forward.
After I’ve stabbed, I quickly withdraw and place my left heel onto my right ankle to assume the stance called 撞木足 (shumokuashi).
Also, I pull the spear’s handle far back through my hands while bringing my left hand close to the spearhead and my right one far from the ishidzuki. Doing so will allow me to, by swinging my body and using 体捌き (taisabaki), attack my opponent with the ishidzuki or instead parry their assault.
That is how it would look like.
I’ll stab one more time from this position.
I bring out my left foot, reach out with my right hand to around the ishidzuki and then stab while letting the spear glide through my hand(s).
This is quite a difficult posture, but please make sure you can stab in a stabilized manner during your training.
Switching feet for left and right stabbing
To perform the flipped stab, swap your feet as well as your hands on the spear and thus flip your stance.
Then, analogously, get out your right foot as you bring your left hand close to the ishidzuki, then stab far and deep to the point that your arms and the spear become one straight line.
And then, just the same as before, quickly pull back and assume 撞木足 (shumokuashi).
Please pay close attention to the right hand’s form.
Without gripping the handle, hold it in between your stretched out thumb and index finger.
Also, make sure to bring your right arm close to your right hip.
Your left hand goes around your left ear.
Once you’ve reversed your grip on the spear as well as your stance, analogously slide your left foot to the front as you stab with the spear and then quickly pull back.
Please watch from the front.
Training with one-sided repetitions
Since this finishing stab leaves a huge opening for the opponent to attack, it’s generally used last once you’ve broken the opponent’s stance and inflicted a great deal of damage already.
As this is incredibly important practice, please make sure to do it many times.