well... somehow.
Don´t we all dream of mastering the art of tsuki?
I do.
Tsuki is the niche technique in kendo. Rarely seen. Almost never seen in a satisfying manner.
Somehow, tsuki gained popularity again lately.
Maybe it´s due to the latest tsuki ippons, that have been successfully landed in major taikai or it could be a result that comes due to the rise of jodan and nito players. Who knows....
Anyway, most people associate tsuki with a highly dangerous and highly advanced technique in Kendo.
Most junior tournaments even prohibit the use of tsuki.....
Is tsuki really a highly dangerous technique?
I´d say yes and no.
If done wrong or at the wrong timing, tsuki can really hurt big time.
I managed to get tsukied full force during my forward motion (going for men), got hit perfectly on the tsuki-dare, and had the uchiwa from my men been pushed deep into my throat.
Thus leaving me with a proper larynx contusion. Presto.....
Imagine the potential danger from getting the shinai tip under the men hitting the throat directly.
Tsuki IS a potential lethal attack. Always keep that in mind.
But so can a overly hard or wrongly placed men uchi be.
Or something else.....
As long as we do things in a reasonable fashion, no one should be harmed really bad.
Whats the key to archive proper and save tsuki?
1. Posture
Having a straight and strong kamae is essential for tsuki.
Weak, stiff or wrong kamae in another manner usually lead to missing the tsuki dare.
Sliding of and scratching the neck or just bluntly poking the torso are the minor problems here.
Getting under the tsuki dare or hitting the mengane are more problematic.
Having the feeling of pushing with our hips, not thrusting with our arms usually helps a lot.
2. Timing
Tsuki should (at least in my humble opinion) never be used to "stop" someone.
If your partner launches men you can always react with men or kote (or even better a good do).
But if your partner is moving full throttle forward and the reaction is a full powered tsuki, usually bad things will happen.
It´s like force meeting force resulting in having all the kinetic energy unloaded onto the fellow partners neck (even if you hit properly).
This was exactly the kind of situation that led to my unpleasant tsuki experience.
Now what would be the proper "timing"?
Surprising with a swift and fast tsuki is the key.
Your partner is going backwards or leaning back? He is mentally or physically slacking off?
Great, those are THE perfect moments launching a sharp tsuki attack.
How is a tsuki supposed to look actually?
Well, there are different points of view regarding this.
What I've learned is, a tsuki should be a sharp thrust with a pull afterwards.
So the tsuki shouldn't be a strong push as if you'd want to push your mate to the other dojo side.
"Thrust and pull back(out of the body) the blade"
A high ranging sensei (former world champion, yes) told us, that the thrust should actually be a micro strike motion.
Don't just poke, make the motion of doing a tiny little micro men uchi.
Extend your arms naturally and push with the hips.
Afterwards really strong zanshin shall be applied.
Is tsuki a technique for advanced kenshi only?
I´d say no.
Of course, you should have a decent amount of skill, but if you can strike proper men, then you are ready to do tsuki.
In my opinion, there are a lot of benefits that come with practicing tsuki (especially if you start early).
Body movement for tsuki is the same as for men, but without swinging the arms.
Therefore one can fully concentrate on legs and hips.
Another advantage is loosing fear.
Most people I´ve seen, who start practicing and receiving tsuki at a later time, are somewhat scared.
Whether scared of getting tsukied or giving tsuki, both makes them stiffen up which usually doesn´t do any good.
Always relax, not just with tsuki.
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