The Correct Way to Use a Sword: Principles and Practice of Statutory Sword Technique

Learn the essence of Batto-do, the art of Japanese swordsmanship, through this introductory DVD supervised by the Showa era sword master Kiyoshi Nakakura (Kendo 9th Dan Hanshi) and supported by the NPO Japan Batto-do Federation.

Contents:

• Introduction (What is Batto-do?) An overview of Batto-do, emphasizing its historical roots and principles.

• Dew-Clearing Basic purification ritual and preparatory practices.

• Established Sword Techniques Detailed instruction on all 10 "statutory sword techniques," essential to Batto-do. Techniques include:

  1. Upper Level First Attack
  2. Left Sweep, Left Kesa
  3. Right Sweep, Kote
  4. Left Side, Right Kesa
  5. Right Side, Left Kesa
  6. Left Kesa, Torso
  7. Reverse Kesa, Kesa
  8. Sudden Attack, Thrust
  9. Right Side, Left Kesa, Torso
  10. Slash, Left Kesa, Torso

• Etiquette and Established Sword Techniques (Key Points) Guidance on proper etiquette and essential points in executing the sword techniques.

• Kumitachi Demonstration and instruction on paired sword techniques (kumitachi), including:

  • Left Side, Left Kesa
  • Right Side, Reverse Kesa
  • Right Kesa, Right Torso
  • Left Kesa, Left Torso
  • Left Neck, Kote

Instructors:

• Masao Oe (8th Dan Hanshi)
• Medieval Ko Katsuji (8th Dan Hanshi)
• Masao Nakajima (8th Dan Hanshi)
• Taizou Kosugi (8th Dan Hanshi)
• Tsuyoshi Ota (8th Dan Hanshi)
• Hiroshi Matsui (8th Dan Kyoshi)
• Mitsuo Otsuka (8th Dan Kyoshi)
• Shigeru Kanno (7th Dan Kyoshi)

Supervisor:

• Nakaseiko Katsuji
• NPO Japan Batto-do Federation