Cutter (Kirite) ③
Yes, it's a stamp today as well. Turn your wrist outward and wrap your fingers and palms around the handle. It looks like you're squeezing it, but it's wrapped softly. This is important. There are many other important things such as stretching your elbows, but here, let's limit it to stamps (wrist return) and grips (fluffy wrap). In terms of grip, there is almost no effort. Especially when cutting down after drawing a sword, if you return both wrists outward and be aware of relaxing the part that touches the handle, you can pull it down with your body and a straight sword line will be born. Conversely, if you hold the handle and cut it down, a squishy sword line is born.
Yes, today's topic is Kirite again. You must keep your wriststurned firmly outward while keeping your fingers and palms wrappedsoftlyaround thetsuka (hilt). It mightlook like you aregripping it tightly, but in reality, you are enveloping it gently. This is a crucial point. While there are manyother essentials, such as keeping theelbows extended, let's focus specifically on Kirite (turning the wrists) and Nigiri (the soft wrap).
In terms of thegrip, you should apply almost no strength. Especiallyduring the downward stroke after drawing theblade (babou), focusing on keeping both wriststurned outward while relaxing the points of contact with thehilt allows you to pull thesword down with your entire body. This resultsin a perfectly straight line of descent.
Conversely, if you squeeze thehilt while cutting down, the line of theblade becomesshaky and unstable.
Ryushin-do Sword drawing The Japanese Sword Koryu Kenjutsu # battojutsu
私自身も最初は柄を強く握り過ぎてしまい、斬り下ろしの際に剣線が安定せず苦労した経験があります。特に抜刀後の一連の動作では、手首の返し（切り手）をしっかり意識しながら、自然に指と掌で柄を包むように力を抜くことが大切です。 この握り方をマスターすると、身体全体の重心移動を無理なく剣に伝えることができ、斬り下ろしが真っ直ぐで伸びやかになります。逆に握り込みが強すぎると、手首や腕が硬直してしまい、剣の軌道が乱れやすくなります。また、肘の伸ばし方や肩の使い方も大切ですが、手首の返しと握りで基本が決まるため、まずはこのポイントを継続して練習するのがおすすめです。 私の場合は、前腕の力を抜いて肩から腕全体で剣を降ろす感覚を掴むまで、鏡の前で何度もフォームを確認しながらトレーニングしました。練習を重ねるうちに、剣線がブレずにまっすぐ落ちていく爽快感を味わえるようになりました。 切り手は単なる手首の動きではなく、身体全体を使った一体感が求められる技術です。力を抜くことに抵抗がある方も多いですが、適度な脱力と正しい返しで、自然に美しい斬り下ろしができるようになるでしょう。これから抜刀術や龍心道、古流剣術を極めたい方にも、ぜひ意識してほしいポイントです。