Giho 55 Kojiri-Gaeshi Brush-up/ 小尻返ブラッシュアップ
This is the brush-up for Kojirigaeshi.
This time, we will brush up 小尻返 (kojirigaeshi).
小尻返 (kojirigaeshi) is a technique from the 殿中刀法鞘ノ中 (denchuu touhou saya no uchi).
The technical idea used in this technique is also applied to battoujutsu and kenjutsu. Additionally, since this includes factors that are very important for body control, please practise it a lot.
Important point #1: When putting down the sword
First, I’m going to explain what to pay attention to when sitting down and placing the sword on the floor.
Here, please make sure that the straight line between the tsukagashira and the kojiri is parallel to your body.
If you place the sword so the tsuka is parallel to your body, the kojiri will end up opening up to the side.
Handle your hakama, then place your sword on the ground. At this time, if you turn your body to do that, you can catch the kojiri with your peripheral vision to make sure you place it down correctly.
Something that many end up doing is hunching their back like this to put down the sword. Doing so will have your field of vision blocked by your own right shoulder so you’ll hardly be able to see the kojiri and it’s also not a good posture.
Also, it makes drawing your sword instantaneously and moving around rather difficult. As such, if you turn your body while placing down the sword, you’ll be able to assume a posture from which you can immediately draw the sword.
Please practise placing down your sword with these things in mind.
Important point #2: About the right elbow
Next is about the right elbow when doing 小尻返 (kojirigaeshi).
Pick up your sword while holding the tsuba with your thumb and assume this posture.
At this time, if you have your right elbow stretched, you won’t be able to properly strike your opponent since you’re trying to stretch what is already being stretched.
Therefore, if you make sure not to separate your right elbow too much from your armpit so it’s properly bent, you’ll go on to stretch something that has been bent and hence be able to strike your opponent properly.
Please keep this in mind about bending your right elbow.
Important point #3: About the placement of your left fist
Next will be about the placement of the left fist.
Pick up your sword, then hit the opponent’s fist with the kojiri. Right here, please make sure your left fist goes past your right knee.
Many of you leave their left fist on the inside of your body. This is because after picking up the sword you pull back your left shoulder and left part of your body to strike the opponent’s forearm. And so your left fist inevitably ends up on the inside.
In order to prevent that, while pulling back your left shoulder and left part of your body, perform 小尻返 (kojirigaeshi) while trying to move your left fist to the front and it won’t end up so easily on the inside.
Let’s practise 小尻返 (kojirigaeshi) with these things in mind.
Important point #4: About the right wrist
Next, we’ll talk about the right wrist.
Pick up the sword, then hit the opponent’s forearm. At this time, please be sure to bend your right wrist to the outside.
Many of you end up with their right wrist bent to the inside like this. That is because you’re maintaining your grasp, i.e. your 手の内 (te no uchi) from the moment you pick up your sword up until you do the 小尻返 (kojirigaeshi). Doing so will inevitably make it easier for your right wrist to bend to the inside.
Also, since you pick up the sword with your right hand and most in fact are right-handers, all your attention goes to your right hand when hitting the opponent’s forearm, so you’ll have a harder time shifting your right hand or bending your right wrist to the outside.
However, as you can tell by looking, because you’re holding the sword with your left hand when striking the opponent’s forearm, right at the moment you grasp the tsukagashira with your left hand, if you shift your focus from your right hand to your left one, you’ll be able to bend your right wrist with ease.
Important point #5: About Shumokuashi
Next will be about the posture during 撞木足 (shumokuashi). I’ll specifically go into detail about the positioning of the sword.
After striking the opponent’s forearm, back off by at least six shaku.
First, regarding the left hand.
Please be sure not to open up your fingers and keep them together instead.
Also, make sure to bend your left wrist as much as possible to the outside.
Moreover, pull back your left shoulder blade and bring your left hand between the top of your shoulder and the side of the left side of the chest.
Then place the tsukagashira at the very centre of your left palm.
Next, as for the right hand, please make sure to bend your right wrist as much as possible to the outside. Then, if your right elbow ends up on the outside, your sword’s kojiri will go up, so keep the elbow close to your armpit.
Lastly, make sure to place the tsuba right at your centre.
If you follow these points, your sword’s kojiri won’t go more to the inside than your right knee and will be lowered properly, and you’ll be able to assume the correct stance.