Giho 48 Tsurube-Nuki Brush-up/ 釣瓶抜ブラッシュアップ
釣瓶抜 (tsurubenuki) as a beginner’s battou is a simple movement but contains body control that is used in many of Tenshinryuu’s techniques.
Being on the level of 楷書 (kaisho), it’s necessary to learn it thoroughly.
Battou with the kaisho 真 (shin)
As another entry in our brush-up series, we would like to present several points that we’ve noticed while watching everyone’s 釣瓶抜 (tsurubenuki).
We would like you to pay special attention to the arms, the back and the toes.
Important point #1
Well then, let’s have a look at the actual movement. Let’s first start with the upper body.
Raise the sword, place your right hand on the tsuka, cut the koiguchi, stretch your right elbow straight up and draw the sword.
Then move your left hand to the tsukagashira and grip the sword. Please keep in mind to properly keep the straightened right elbow as is at this point in time.
We’ve seen a multitude of people who couldn’t reach the tsukagashira with their left hand and therefore bent the right elbow to reach it.
Please do not do that and instead make sure sure to stretch your right elbow when drawing the sword and keep it just like that.
Keep the straightened right elbow and just by gripping the tsuka with your right hand starting from the ring finger, the tsukagashira will naturally come down. You will thus be able to reach the tsukagashira with your left hand even with your right arm stretched out and fully grip the sword at last.
Please make sure to perform this kind of procedure and properly stretch your right arm.
Important point #2
The next important point would be the head’s movement during the battou.
I myself am also sometimes guilty of this, but when drawing the sword some tend to tilt their heads to the front. When watching the videos you’ve submitted, we could in fact spot a number of people doing this.
During your training please pay special attention to consistently stretching your right elbow when drawing your sword.
Important point #3
The next important point is the movement of your hips when swinging down the sword.
Draw your sword, then bend backwards like this.
Here, it’s very important to push your buttocks to the front and bend your body backwards.
Also, as for the head’s movement, don’t simply pull in your chin, but rather lower your head like this to prevent your body from staggering, so it becomes easier for you to stabilize yourself.
What I’ve just explained right now is something you do when performing the 守 (shu) of 釣瓶抜 (tsurubenuki). In the case of 離 (ri), just like this, you don’t actually bend backwards that much.
Important point #4
When practising 釣瓶抜 (tsurubenuki), standing up on your tiptoes is important. A lot of people have the tendency to stand up on their tiptoes at the same time they draw the sword. Instead of that, draw your sword and then while you are swinging down the sword, stand up on your tiptoes at the same time.
When doing so, please make sure to raise your heels this far.
Please make sure to keep in mind the correct procedures during your training.