ZNKR IAI

When the person at your left suddenly stands up and intends to cut you downwards, you parry their sword with the ridge on the side of the sword and cut them from above the head in a downwards diagonal action.

a] Sit in the Seiza position facing the right. While turning your head to your left to look at the enemy, grasp the sword quickly with both hands. Without a pause, raise your hips as you bring the toes of the right foot under. Extend your waist and move your left foot forward so that it comes to the inside of your right calf with the toes slightly pointed outwards.

Draw the sword close to your chest whilst standing up and complete the draw above and in front of the head. As you do this, bring your right foot near to the inside of the left and parry the opponent's sword. When parrying, the blade must be angled to maximize the deflection angle with the Kissaki angled down so that the sword protects the upper body.

N.B. The angle of your body when doing the parry should ideally be facing to the front. After the opponent's sword has been parried by bringing your own sword up above and in front of your head, you will find yourself naturally facing them square on.

b] After parrying move the tip of the sword to the upper right and face the opponent, who is now slightly to your left. Place your left hand on the hilt of the Tsuka, then without stopping the sword, step back with the left foot and bring lhe sword diagonally downwards from the opponent's left shoulder along the Kesa line. Stop your left hand in front of your navel and ensure the Kissaki is a little lower than horizontal.

c] Bring the Monouchi of the sword to rest on the lower part of the right thigh or leave it slightly above that contact point, by rotating and extending the left hand in a clockwise fashion and making sure the blade remains facing forwards. Keep the palm of the right hand upwards with a soft grip on the hilt.

d] Release your right hand from the hilt and replace it back this time gripping the Tsuka from above.

e] Release the left hand from the hilt and take hold of the Koiguchi. With your right hand bring the tip of the sword from below and place the Mune (back of the sword) into contact with your left hand near the Tsubamoto and do Noto. At the same time you sheath the sword lower the left knee onto the the floor.

f] As you stand up, bring your rear foot forward in line with your front one. Release your right hand from the hilt, take Taito Shisei and return to your original position by taking a half step starting with the left foot.