Bujinkan 棒術 Bojutsu Kata 払 Harai

From https://www.rojodojo.com my Bujinkan 六尺棒術 Rokushakubō Jutsu video exploring 払 Harai. In the video I cover how to strategically target suki. These openings are not only physical. When you learn this, the kukan becomes both a shield and a weapon.

五境五界詒変捌型 Gokyō Gokai Ihen Sabaki Gata.

Warmed up with 足払 ashi barai drills. I kept it simple with only two variations this time. One with honte grip and the other gyakute.

Now I began class with the kata 払 harai. This is another deceptively simple looking kata. But the flow and rhythm of it hide plenty of mysteries within.

You are sweeping with your strikes. But what are you sweeping and why? I showed the targeting for each strike. You choose suki not just when they appear, but also for strategic purpose.

This leads to a bigger concept. The suki are broader than the opponent's physical body. As Soke told us in one class, strike the kukan! This gets at the core of kukan no kyusho and kaname.

When you control the space this way, you are using the bo as it is meant to be used against a sword. Space and distance are your defense. But not many people are ready to use them as a weapon.

This is why I am studying 詒変捌型 Ihen Sabaki Gata. This advanced principle arises naturally from the bo. In my experience, it is difficult to discern in other types of training. But the concrete form of the staff gives it a very physical quality that most people can directly feel in their movement.

Tonight our ihen lead us to swords flying through the air in spectacular fashion! During any of the strikes in harai, the tip of the bo may ride along the attacker's response. It doesn't matter if he responds instinctually or in a considered manner. The bo susses this out for you and destroys his attack.

This is like the bojutsu gokui: striking the void, if there is a response, that is the gokui. 棒先で虚空をついて、我が手先、手ごたえあれば、極意なりける。