pommel strike

[FatalKnight]

True, there are different variations based on different Ryus, not just in the katas but in the way the Hajime no saho (Beginning etiquette) and Owari no saho (Finishing etiquette) are done.

[yakaji]

By the way, for those interested, keeping the right knee straight isn't literally part of the explanation of the form as given in the literature. What's taught is that you pivot 90 degrees on the left knee, and while it's implicit that the right knee remains stationary and while that's what I've been taught, in fairness I must admit that's not actually a printed detail of the form.

[yakaji]

Agreed, videos are better than nothing if you're stuck practicing alone. But again, why leave problems in the videos uncommented on if they exist? If all you have is an example, and as good as it is, the example is imperfect, isn't it better to be aware of that?

[derioderio]

I think the right knee is OK... This isn't just some nobody doing the kata, afterall. These are copied from the official practice/demo tapes that you can buy from the ZNKR, and it's certainly a highly ranked sensei performing them. Especially if you have to practice for long periods without instruction from an experienced sensei, I don't think you can get a better example than these 14 videos.

[yakaji]

I actually don't have much problem with the sensei's metsuke. The only thing I'd note for anyone using these as a learning tool is that the right knee should NOT move while he stabs the opponent behind him. It should stay forward and bent at a right angle all the way until noutou.

[Razel42]

amazing. a perfect training kata. i'd love to see how fast he would take an opponent in real life.

[sthetx]

Thezim missed the sublty of the art of Iaido. It does seem, however, that this form is performed rather "stacato". Not as fluid as I've seen.

[Razel42]

amazing technique. thanks for uploading this.

[thezim]

how did this video get 5 stars. It was just a dude standing around half the time

[tehcei]

You have to understand the art of iaido. It is the art of drawing and resheathing one's sword. His movements (or lack therof) have more to do with peace and the flow of the spirit than they do with cutting down an enemy. It's not really something for those who crave action.

[TitoZ14]

Yeah, I would say a big part of it is economy of movement: take care of business as efficiently and as quickly as possible, and relax again. This is a good example--the imaginary enemies are vanquished inside of eight seconds!

[Proton1]

He didn't get a particularly good look at that front opponent before he finished him off (metsuke seems a bit shifty). Other than that, the man's technique is flawless. Fantastic seme and zanshin.