Roku No Suburi (The 6th Suburi)

“In the sixth suburi we blend with the sword being raised and then thrust. It is one of the movements included in the ki-musubi-no-tachi exercise. We dodge the oncoming shomen-uchi attack to the right and immediately, when our opponent attempts to attack, we execute a thrust.” – Morihiro Saito Sensei

When practising the sixth and seventh suburi, first execute ni-no-suburi. Start by stepping back with your right foot, assuming the hito-e-mi position and lifting the sword above your head; then, cut with a shomen-uchi on the central line, exactly as in the second suburi.

Now, turn the blade to the left and thrust at your opponent’s stomach, executing a small kaiten movement to move out of the central line of attack.
Cut with a gyaku-yokomen, stepping forward with the left foot, moving out of the central line, and turn the blade to the right, thrusting at your partner’s stomach with a tsuki.

Turn as in the fifth suburi and cut with a yokomen-uchi at the opposite side of your partner’s head. Then, turn the blade to the left and thrust at your opponent’s stomach, executing a small kaiten movement to move out of the central line of attack.

Cut with a gyaku-yokomen moving out of the central line to the opposite side, and turn the blade to the right, thrusting at your partner’s stomach with a tsuki.
Wait two seconds at the end of each strike.

You usually perform 2 strikes in one direction and 2 in the opposite direction. These are just a guide and you can decide how many strikes should be performed depending on the space available around you.
When executing this suburi, remember that the tsuka-kashira, the hilt of the sword, should always be in front of your centre.