Tachi Uchi

( TACHI UCHI NO KURAI) These kata are all performed by two persons. One is Uchitachi; the one who lead, the attacker, and the other is Shitachi; the one who follows, the defender. Uchitachi is usually the senior grade in the pair as they control timing and tempo.

1 Deai (day-eye) Uchi and shi both face each other ,as uchi calls deai ,shi responds with hoo( yes in military understanding),both grasp saya and then tsuka and advance the right foot. Both take three accelerating steps ( Morotetsuki style perhaps?), right foot, left foot, drawing sword, right foot, Cut! Both perform the same advance and cut, both aim towards the right knee. Both uchi and shi swords meet, shi then pushes through centre with forward movement and seme, drawing the left foot up to the right, then cutting to shomen whilst advancing the right foot. At the same time uchi moves the right foot back and receives the cut with a crossed block. Shi then draws the left foot to the right and pushes through, but without the energy of a tsuki. Uchi folds the block and lowers the sword to the left. Shi is now in control. Uchi withdraws to chuden no kamae Both in kamae, lower swords to horizontal and perform yoko chiburi and noto, left foot forward to right then Retreat to starting position, note use of zanshin at all times as this time the opponent is there!

2 Tsukekomi (ski-gomi?/ pursuit)

As before the form is called and responded to, both take three accelerating steps and cut to knee, (as above) Shi steps forward with the left foot behind Uchi's right into hidari hanmi, pushes uchi's sword aside and with the left hand blocks uchi's wrist to his thigh. Shi thrusts upward with the kissaki to uchi's throat or chest, right arm against the body, tsuba in front of the hara. Uchi slowly withdraws to chudan. Shi retains control. The movement should be one , not grab and move then tsuki, all should flow, this movement is worth learning In kata style to find your own timing. Finish as above.