06. ROPPON ME 六本目
MOROTE TSUKI 諸手突き
Two handed thrust
While walking along three people - two in front and one at the rear intend to attack you. Forestall the front attack by drawing the sword and making a cut to the top right side of the first opponents head, followed by a two-handed thrust to the solar plexus. Turning next to the rear opponent, bring the sword from above your head and cut down vertically. Lastly turn once again to the front and cut the last opponent in the same manner.
a] Move forwards on your right foot. As soon as you place your left foot take hold of the sword with both hands and break the grip between Saya and sword. While moving your right foot forwards, turn your upper body sightly to the left as you draw the sword and cut the opponent's head from their hairline down to the chin.
b] Bring your rear foot forwards close to the heel of your front foot at the same time as you bring the sword into Chudan No Kamae (middle posture) holding the Tsuka with both hands. Do not change the distance position of your sword. Without hesitating step forwards on your right foot and thrust at the opponent's solar plexus with both hands.
● When performing Nuki Tsuke, the left foot does not advance (block). Take the Chudan no Kamae guard with the Kissaki point directed directly toward the solar plexus. For subsequent cuts, it is important to place the right foot first, followed by the cut in the next instant.
● When stepping or moving the feet, this should be done on the forward part of the foot i.e. the sole and not the heels. Turning by using the heels is not stable for the overall body posture.
c] Making a 180 degrees turn to your left using your right foot as an axis, draw the sword out. Move your left foot slightly to the left and in a pulling out and parrying action raise the sword above the head. It is important to use the Tsukagashira to lead this movement. As soon as you have turned towards this opponent, step forwards with the right foot and cut down in a vertical action Kirioroshi. When you have finished cutting, both hands should be in front of your navel and the sword should be held in a horizontal position.
d] Turn back to the front once more by moving the left foot to the left, and cut the final opponent with a downward vertical action finishing at the horizontal position as the right foot steps forward.
e] Maintain the same posture and perform Migi Ni Hiraite No Chiburi (Yoko Chiburi) while returning the left hand to the left side of the belt.
f] Move your left hand forwards from the belt and take hold of the Koiguchi of the sheath and perform Noto.
g] Bring your rear foot up in line with your front foot, release your right hand from the hilt and take Taito Shisei. Go back to the original position beginning with your left foot.
● Does the performer bring their left foot up behind their right? Is Chudan No Kamae correctly made and the sword thrust into the correct target of the body? Is the thrust made with certainty?
● Does the performer bring their sword above their head in a parrying action after pulling it out from the first opponent?