| The classes that I will teach are exactly like the ones that are taught by Elder sensei in Orlando Florida which follows exactly the example of the classes taught by the honbu dojo in Machida Japan. So pretty much we do as the Japanese do. Classes will consist of warm ups, suburi (practice cuts), and kata. As the student develops a strong sense of basics, tameshigiri will be practiced, and afterwards gekken will be practiced. Warm ups- these are basics warm up exercises to help stretch and prepare for class. Suburi - this is the practice of the 8 directional cuts taught in Toyama Ryu. Basic mechanics and proper grip will be taught and stressed. Also the 8 chiburi and noto along with the 8 stances will be discussed as well Kata - there are 5 sets of kata that will be taught here. Each kata teaches how to handle and deal with a given situation that usually consists of starting by drawing and attacking and then sheathing the sword a) 8 Toyama kata b) 7 Gunto toho (Older Toyama kata) c) the 5 toyama sei tei (cutting) kata also the shoden kata for the US Battodo Federation) d) 6 forms of kumitachi (2 man forms) e) the 8 kata of the Zen Nihon Batto Do Renmei (the Japanese counterpart of the US batto do federation) f)kenjutsu drills with bokken Tameshigiri The purpose of test cutting, tameshigiri, in Toyama Ryu Batto Jutsu, is to test the cutting ability of the sword, gain experience in striking a solid object and improve timing, distance, angle and grip. Although anyone can “cut”, cutting within the context of the form is a whole different ball game. The targets used consist of makiwari, tightly rolled straw mats called tatami mats, that have been soaked in water. These offer uniform weight and thickness that best replicate the resistance of human flesh. Because a samurai lived or died by his ability with a sword, it is essential that he be able to perform a cut successfully. No matter how good the sword or how sharp, it is only as effective as the person weilding it. Hataya Sensei has pointed out to us repeatedly, that no matter how well you are able to perform kata, if the cuts you make in the kata are light and ineffectual, you are only dancing. For this reason tameshigiri is a fundamental part of Toyama Ryu training. While the kata teaches correct footwork, situational awareness, and body movement, it is only by cutting an actual target that reveals whether or not proper cutting technique is being used. Strength, speed and technique alone are not enough. The correct swing technique and blade angle, hasuji, must combine with proper cutting distance, kirima, to make a successful cut. The mind, body and spirit must fuse at the very instant of cutting. This is the objective of Toyama Ryu Batto Jutsu. (tameshigiri will only be allowed after supervision and approval by me) Gekken After kata and tameshgiri, we have gekken. This is actual sparring using foam swords. Although foam, these are not light or flexible like other foam swords. There are no rules and you can try whatever you would like. This helps to learn how to react and distance attacks, and most of all, is quite fun. |
Curriculum
Henry Kim performing
tameshigiri
tameshigiri
Ron Duponte performing
kata
kata
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ByakkoKan Dojo
Daiki doing tsuki for Toyama
Kata Sanbon mei
Kata Sanbon mei