切り返し

切返しは、剣道の技に必要なものがいくつも含まれている大切な稽古法です。
正しい構え・手首の返し方、手の内の使い方、足さばき、打った後のバランス・呼吸法などを切返しの稽古でしっかり練習しましょう。
Scrolling down, you can find the abbreviated English version of this Blog.

切返しには「大・強・速・軽」４つの原則があります。
大・・・大きく伸び伸びと頭上まで振り上げて行う
強・・・打つ瞬間の手の内を強くする
速・・・大と強が十分にできた状態で、切返しを早く行う
軽・・・無駄な力を抜き軽やかに行う。
これらのことを気をつけて練習しましょう。

Kiri-kaeshi

Kiri-kaeshi (slash-and-flip) is an important practice that contains many factors necessary for excellent Kendo skills.
By repeating Kiri-kaeshi practice, you will be able to master how to keep the right posture, how to flip your wrists, how to use both of your arms swift and sharp, the bodily balance right after the strike, how to breathe, etc.
Kiri-kaeshi has four principles: Big, Strong, Fast and Light.

"Big" means that you should swing your shinai big, with a shinai raised overhead.
"Strong" means that you should strengthen the hold of both arms when you strike.
"Fast" means that, when you sufficiently master the big and strong kirikaeshi, you should make it fast and sharp.
"Light" means that you should be relaxed, without having any unnecessary tension, when you do the Kiri-kaeshi.

Please have these four tips in mind when you practice Kiri-kaeshi!