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Respect for Katana
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    Kihon (Fundamentals)
    8 Basic Cuts
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Fundamentals (Kihon) 基本

Kihon (Fundamentals) are reflected in all aspects of swordsmanship.  Poor kihon makes poor kata, kumitachi, kenjustsu, and tameshigiri.  Polishing the fundamentals will improve every aspect of our art and needs to be constantly done.  At every rank these must be constantly polished to make progress.  We must be kigamawaru  気が回る(attentive to small details).  Beware the trap of thinking that you have mastered kihon, it will mark the end of your learning.

• Wearing a Katana (Taitō) 帯刀
• Wearing Daishō (Taidaishō) 帯大小
• Drawing / Guard (Battō / Seigan) 抜刀 / 青眼
• Griping the Katana (Chakin Shibori) 茶巾絞り
• Stance (Iaigoshi) 居合い腰
• Sheathing (Chiburi / Nōtō) 血振り /納刀
• Footwork (Ashisabaki) 足捌き
  • Sliding Step (Suriashi) 摺足
  • Walking Step (Ayumiashi) 歩み足
  • Shuffle Step (Okuriashi) 送り足
  • Following Step (Tsugiashi) 継ぎ足
  • Sidestep (Hirakiashi) 開き足
  • Stomping Step (Fumikomiashi) 踏み込み足
• Postures (Kamae) 構え
  • Chūdan no Kamae 中段の構え
  • Seigan no Kamae 正眼の構え
  • Jōdan no Kamae上段の構え
  • Migi Jōdan no kamae 右上段の構え
  • Hidari Jōdan no kamae  左上段の構え
  • Wakigamae 脇構え
  • Gedan no Kamae 下段の構え
  • Hassō no Kamae 八双の構え
  • Kamae Toku 構え解く

Wearing a Katana (Taitō) 帯刀

The katana goes between the first and second layer of the obi.  The left thumb is used to open up the obi.  The katana is slipped into and obi and goes above one of the front straps of the hakama.  This is the strap that was tied in the back.  The ha (edge) should be up.  The sageo is looped up under the hakama straps on the right side.  The loose end then goes through the first loop forming a second loop.  The second loop is pulled to tighten the knot.  It is important to face forward and keep alert when putting the katana and tying the sageo.  The student should be mentally preparing for class and looking down would invite attack.

• One layer of obi is left between the keikogi and katana.  The katana goes between the first and second layer of the obi.  The left thumb is used to open up the obi.
• The katana goes above one of the front straps of the hakama.  This is the strap that was tied in the back. 
• If the front straps were too short to be tied correctly, the katana goes under all the straps. 
• The edge of the katana should be up. 
• The saya kurikata (knob on the saya where the sageo is tied) should be just above the obi.
• The sageo is looped up under the hakama straps on the right side.
• The loose end then goes through the first loop forming a second loop.
• The second loop is pulled to tighten the knot.

Wearing Daishō (Taidaishō) 帯大小

How the katana and wakizashi are worn varies depending on the style of swordsmanship practiced.  The following defines the proper way they should be worn in the Konjaku Kioi Toyama Ryu Dojo.  The obi should be long enough to wrap around three times.  Both the wakizashi and katana are put in the obi on the left side.

• The wakizashi is slipped in under all three layers of the obi. 
• The tsuba of the wakizashi should be in front of the navel. 
• The edge should be up.
• No sageo cord is used on the wakizashi.  A sageo may be tied onto the saya.
• One layer of obi is left between the wakizashi and katana.  The katana goes between the first and second layer of the obi.  The left thumb is used to open up the obi.
• The katana goes above one of the front straps of the hakama.  This is the strap that was tied in the back.  If the front straps were too short to be tied correctly, the katana goes under all the straps.
• The edge of the katana should be up.  The saya kurikata (knob on the saya where the sageo is tied) should be just above the obi.
• The sageo is looped up under the hakama straps on the right side.
• The loose end then goes through the first loop forming a second loop.
• The second loop is pulled to tighten the knot.
• The katana is held by the saya (scabbard) with the left hand and the thumb holds the tsuba (guard) in place.