I just would like to know the best description or instruction of how to hold a shinai. I am right-handed and have no formal training. I heard the improper grip can be detrimental.
2006-08-09 04:39:39 · 4 answers · asked by The One Truth 4 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
with your wrist in a natural, relaxed position, hold the sword diagonally in your palm so that it more or less follows the lines that go across your hand. that is the general orientation of both hands.
with your right hand: hold the sword so that your first finger is 1 finger width away from the tsuba. your little finger and ring finger should grip the handle tightly, but not white knuckled. your middle finger should grip neither tight or loose. your first finger and thumb should grip securely but loosely. the right hand is the control hand.
with your left hand: your little finger should either be wrapped around at the very end of the handle or just off the end of the handle. for finger grips, follow the method for the right hand. the left hand is the power hand.
for the wrists, keep them in a natural, relaxed position. this makes you faster and also allows you to flex your wrists in any direction. if you keep your writsts flexed too far in any direction youll have difficulty if you want to flex any more in that direction.
stand up straight. no slouching.
hold the shinai so the tsuka end is close to your body. if you hold it far out in front of you youll get tired before the fight is over. dont stick your elbows way out so you look like a chicken. do not ever totally straighten your elbows. dont tighten your shoulders.
2006-08-09 10:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by Stand-up Philosopher 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to find somewhere to receive formal training. I have studied three different Japanese sword styles, 2 styles of iaido and 1 of battodo, and all three held the sword slightly differently. All were effective, but all had different intent. In my first iaido style it took me weeks to learn to hold the sword properly without reverting to old habits, and without proper instruction and correction you may never do it. Find a school.
Looking at the descritpions above, the first is another variation slightly different from what I have studied as well, and the second closer to what I have studied but there are a lot of nuances that can't be adequately described here. As the most senior student and a black belt I was responsible to train the new students in how to stand, move, and hold the sword.
2006-08-09 15:05:54 · answer #2 · answered by Jerry L 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should really consider getting formal training if you ever want to be really good.
right hand always goes at the very top (towards the tip) left hand goes at the bottom, never put your hands together there should be room for another hand in between each hand, grip tight with three finger only, your pointer finger and your thumb should be lose for better technique, your other three fingers should have a tight grip.
there is so much more to it, it's really not something that you can just learn on your own and I can't tell you everything here but I can help you more if you'd like, email me and I'm explain it to you with more detail.
but for now you can go to http://eng.hdgd.org/
I teach Haidong Gumdo if you want to know more about it you can visit the website or contact me.
good luck.
2006-08-09 13:33:35 · answer #3 · answered by lisvad 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
right hand - in front, grip with only your thumb and index finger, forming a ring around the shinai
left hand - behind, grip at the edge. your shortest finger should be covering the end of the grip. grip with only your thumb and index finger, forming a circle around the shinai
strength on the left hand, control with the right hand
relax shoulder, drop all your weight down. shinai held on a comfortable height - extending away from your navel and pointing at the imaginary opponent's throat
2006-08-09 13:14:23 · answer #4 · answered by dojodomo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋