Es Jayen

  1. Paper Cutting

    Recently I have come to respect the practice of paper cutting as a way to help train edge alignment. I first saw the paper cutting from haedong gumdo. The video I saw was Master Choi cutting a 6 foot piece of newspaper. The paper was hung on a clothesline and he was cutting the edge of the paper. It seemed easy enough watching him do it, but when I tried it was much tougher than cutting tatami or bottles. The trick is not only to cut the paper, but for the cut piece of paper to fall straight ...
    Categories
    Uncategorized
  2. Seeing the Lines

    When I am cutting I have noticed that visualizing the lines before I make my cut helps keep my cuts clean. For complex cuts I typically take a few seconds to place imaginary lines where I plan to make my cuts. I look the mat up and down then place lines in my minds eye on each section and imagine the reaction I want from the mat. I have talked to several other people who also use this same technique when cutting. I am not sure why it seems to help but I have noticed better results when I use ...
    Categories
    Training Log
  3. Building Strength on the Open Side

    Recently I have noticed that I am extremely weak on my open side when performing one handed cuts on my open side. This is a major problem when performing double cuts from the draw. Often times I will execute the first cut from the draw and leave the mat static, but when I follow up with the second cut I do not cut the severed piece. Instead I bat the piece away, sometimes not even cutting the piece. I can feel a lag from my kissaki to my elbow. I believe that one of the problems is my body ...
    Categories
    Uncategorized
  4. Soak Times

    Consistent targets are invaluable for cutting. It is difficult to anticipate the reaction of your target if it has lumps, and dry spots. After several months of trial and error the Rook was able to find the perfect soak times for the striped tatami.

    First off, for a single roll split the mats (the mats come in a double roll size).

    Next, roll the mats using a dowel or broom stick. This will not only leave a hole for the peg but also smooth out the roll.

    ...
    Categories
    Training Log
  5. Log for 11-29-2010

    Performed with bokken
    200 downward cuts
    200 kesa open
    200 kesa closed
    150 suhei open
    150 suhei closed

    Performed with carbon steel iaito.
    75 draw cuts to yaku
    75 draw cuts to suhei

    30 push ups
    50 sit ups
    Categories
    Training Log
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast