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Koryu that are not like Kendo at all

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In the previous post I listed the various branches of Itto Ryu and asked you to consider the similarities between their use of the sword and Kendo. Sometimes when one becomes used to a certain way of doing things, one can fall into the trap of thinking that is the only, or maybe the best, way of doing things. In learning iai kata of Tatsumi Ryu, we are trying to break out of that thinking by exposing ourselves to a system devised long before even the Itto Ryu was founded. This means that there are some fundamental differences in how the sword is used.  In these posts I am mostly interested in the differences in how to swing the sword. In Kendo, and indeed in most of the styles of iaido practiced today, the fundamental cutting action is a straight up-and-down action often referred to as kirioroshi , cutting through or cutting down. In Tatsumi Ryu, the characteristic action where the sword first goes through a circular backswing before cutting downwards is called kowauchi , or 'power...
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Takizawa sensei's explanation of kiriotoshi

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This video was taken from Takizawa sensei's recent visit. He demonstrates a technique called kiriotoshi This technique is the specialty of the Itto Ryu, which is an old style of Japanese swordsmanship that had a large influence on Kendo. The aim is to cut through you opponent's attack and steal the centre line from them, while they cut you . It is a very difficult and subtle technique. Watching how easy T sensei makes it look might inspire you to give it a try.
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How many 8 dans are there?

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This is a question I get a lot. And here's the answer: 剣道段位・称号登録者数　　(平成15年1月現在) Numbers of kendo grade holders, as at January 2003 初段　634,678 (shodan) 二段　385,890 (nidan) 三段　162,061 (sandan) 四段　41,463 (yondan) 五段　38,573 (godan) 六段　14,011 (rokudan) 七段　11,877 (nanadan) 八段　466 (hachidan) 九段　13　(kyū-dan-9th Dan) only 4 still active: Inoue sensei, Okuzono sensei, Taniguchi sensei and Kurasawa sensei. 全国登録計　1,288,033 (All Japan Total) (women 28%) 称号 Shogo 錬士　19,258 (Renshi) 教士　18,000 (Kyoshi) 範士　376 (Hanshi) There had been only five 10th dan in kendo history. From 1995 the grades 9th and 10th cannot be awarded. The total 9th dan ever awarded seems to be about twenty. And then, by Curtis Marsten sensei's reckoning , it takes more than 86,000 people to pass 6 and 7 dan for there to be just ten new 8 dans! (Note: these figures are only for Japan. Thanks to Raffa at Kendo World for this info). b
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