Sensei’s Blog

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 The two feet ====== The two feet are the teaching that in a sword stroke you should make two footsteps. When you push down the opponent’s sword with your own or evade it, or when you … Continue reading Musashi: Sanjugokajo-16 – Kim Taylor, Feb. 3, 2015

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 Ah, that was the problem, I wasn't writing because I didn't have a blank screen to look at. Offensive things these blank screens. There is the urge to fill them with words. Just like there's the … Continue reading Drip, drip, drip – Kim Taylor, Feb 2, 2017

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 The perception of the lower, middle and higher levels of the martial arts ========= Martial arts that display various sword positions with specific postures and thereby appear strong and fast are to be regarded as lowly. … Continue reading Musashi: Sanjugokajo-9 – Kim Taylor, Jan 28, 2015

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 We just finished five days practice in Thunder Bay. Pretty much morning to early evening each day. These are your senior ranks here in Canada, and we worked exclusively on Seitei Gata Jodo (Well a bit … Continue reading Thunder Bay Practice – Kim Taylor Feb 1, 2023

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 The path of the sword ========= Until the path of the sword has been adequately studied, it is difficult to wield a sword freely at will. There is also inadequate strength. If you do not know … Continue reading Musashi: Sanjugokajo-11 – Kim Taylor Jan 30, 2015

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 The three initiatives ====== There are three initiatives (“Sen”). The first concerns the situation, when you attack the opponent from your own side, the second concerns the situation when you are attacked by the opponent and … Continue reading Musashi: Sanjugokajo-13 – Kim Taylor January 31, 2015

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 The body as representative of the sword ======= The body as representative of the sword describes the basic principle that when attacking you should not apply the sword and the body simultaneously against the opponent. To … Continue reading Musashi: Sanjugokajo-15 – Kim Taylor Feb 1, 2015

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 Surviving the critical moment ===== If you are at a distance in which the swords of both sides can strike at any time and you try to strike your opponent with your sword and see that … Continue reading Musashi: Sanjugokajo-14 – Kim Taylor Feb 1, 2015

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 The spiritual bearing ========= The spiritual bearing during combat should not be disheartened, not hasty, not artful, not fearful, but always straight and large. Thereby the outer spirit (“I-no-kokoro”) should be held light and the inner … Continue reading Musashi: Sanjugokajo-8 – Kim Taylor Jan 27, 2015

Added with permission from Kim Taylor Nanadan (CKF) Iaido, Rokudan (CKF) Jodo and Niten Ichi Ryu Shidoin, January 2023 Striking and hitting   Striking (“Utsu”) and hitting (“Ataru”) are different. Striking means, whatever path the sword may take, you must have a definite target in your mind and, as with test cutting, strike the target … Continue reading Musashi: Sanjugokako-12 – Kim Taylor Jan 30, 2015