![]() ![]() Movement with Katanas, Bo Sticks and Other Weapons In case you’re confused about which part of the katana is sharp, check this website (there are many like it) that details the sword’s anatomy. Maybe the hands won’t be quite right or the blade’s too short, or a cat’s swinging from the Samurai’s hakama like the living room drapes. Don’t care! Don’t fucking care. JUST MAKE SURE THE BLADE IS AWAY FROM THE WOMAN’S FACE, NECK, SHOULDERS, BOOBS AND GENITALS, AND THAT SHE’S ACTUALLY THREATENING SOMEONE WITH IT. Whatever you draw or photograph, it doesn’t matter if it’s not perfect. But that’s definitely nitpicky shit no one cares about but us sword slingers.) It’s Tip Forward, Not Tits Forward You should block with the sword “rolled” towards you a bit so that it’s the solid mune blocking and not the more brittle ha taking the blow. (Although, if you do want to get technical, you shouldn’t block a blow with the blade’s edge. That’s a wooden practice sword, also known as a bokuto, rather than a katana, but you get the idea. The sharp part of the blade should be pointed up. Just so you know, this block is also often performed standing. (Sorry, lefties!) ThrustĪnd this is a blade thrust from that same crouching position. The katana is two-handed, right hand-dominant implement. Again, check the hand position, right over left. Note that the sword tip (which is a bit blurred because I’m in motion) is pointed forward and the edge of the blade is up. My sword will draw upward diagonally, from left to right (see next photo for the end point). In the photo above, I’m about to perform what’s called an upward kiriage from a crouching position. Here are some poses I did two years ago in a photo shoot with Sensei Matthew Lynch for Katsujinken Magazine‘s special Women of the Sword Arts issue. So, a smart Samurai keeps her right hand just below the tsuba, both hands squeezing the tsuka (handle) as if she’s wringing out a wet dish rag. Believe me, if you let the knuckle of your right hand ride against the tsuba (hand guard), you’ll get a nasty blister very quickly. Note that the hands aren’t choked up together like on a bat, but rather there’s about a fist-width between them. Jodan is also a great pose for studying hand position. In all of these poses, the balance for a Samurai is always on the front foot, about 70% front/30% back. A smaller angle shortens the blade’s reach and the wielder will miss the target. A larger angle might mean the wrists are flexed too far and at risk for injury. This angle is optimum for drawing a sword through a target. A Samurai never loses that angle between her arm and sword. Look at the angle between his right arm and the sword. Called jodan, this is a basic “ready” position (also known as a kamae) that’s taken just before performing either a straight downward cut or a diagonal downward ( kesa) cut. The third pose from the left is especially informative for artists. ![]() Using his core rather than relying on his arm strength, he shifts his balance from one side to the other as his blade moves through the target in front of him. The last pose on the right is what a Samurai would look like at the ending of that strike. The next pose is in the middle of a yoko strike - cutting from side to side. His sword held in front of him and tipped downward a bit so that whatever hits it will slide off and away. He’s defending against an overhead strike from an opponent. Sensei Joe’s first pose on the left is a defensive posture called kasumi. Let’s start with this photo from the UCLA Newsroom attached to an article about Shinkendo sensei (my friend and colleague) Dr. However, not only does Shinkendo combine elements of these other Japanese sword schools, all sword arts that focus on target cutting share some similar “best practices.” So it’s safe to say that, if you want your artistic subjects to have an authentic air of Samurai strength, balance and technique, this guide will get you a step closer. Granted, these suggestions are from Shinkendo*, and there are certainly other Japanese sword arts, like Iaido, Kendo etc. So, I have an idea of what you might need.įor those who just genuinely want to create better images, here are some photos with hand and sword positions that can help you design images of both male and female Samurai. ![]() Plus, I used to study costumed figure drawing when I worked at Disney. If you’re an artist who found my site this way, I can help you understand the mechanics of what makes a cool, authentic pose. Honestly, I Love Artists and Photographers!Īnyway, I’ve noticed lately that lots of people reach my site by Googling the phrase “katana poses” or something similar. Since I wrote my scorching takedown of how badly women with swords are depicted in art and photography, I’ve tried to provide positive examples so that people know what a woman warrior looks like who isn’t so incompetent she’s about to slice open her own jugular or femoral artery. ![]()
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