This past class we explored the skill of ken kudaki.
In this part of our taijutsu training the idea is to
understand the space between you and your training partner, and any strikes
that enter that space have the movement of ken kudaki applied to them.
We started with the basic ken kudaki flow of receiving a
strike with jodan uke, followed by a shuto to the same arm and striking point.
Essentially strike the strike, or punch the punch, in
simplistic movement terms.
Naturally we explored the taijutsu check-list of proper
warrior movement: footwork to put on in
a safe place to avoid the initial strike, correct body posture (kamae), relaxed
movement with no tension, and martial awareness.
But what happens after the ken kudaki?
What is the next movement?
Naturally one cannot say exactly what that would be, as it
depends on the movement situation and the current moment. But, what did explore
was the movement-opportunity that the ken kudaki gave us, how it capture the
distance and timing of the training partner.
From there using kamae (body postures) to move in on the
training partner, or perhaps more importantly, moving away and putting safe
distance between you and the training partner.
Ken kudaki as a way to control the movement.