“In Aikido we make no distinction between right and left. Whether
we are in the right or left hanmi, we practice using the sword so that
it and the body function as a single unit.” – Morihiro Saito Sensei
The first movement in yon-no-suburi is the same as the first suburi:
slide your front foot back just a little and turn your hips; then cut
down with shomen-uchi on the starting point.
Staying on the central line, continue performing the subsequent
shomen-uchi cuts, lifting the kissaki (the tip) before the tsuka (the
hilt) and simultaneously move your back foot. Make sure you turn your
hips to the appropriate side during each strike.
To change direction, raise the sword above your head and prepare the
next shomen-uchi. Immediately turn your hips, keeping your elbows closed
from the beginning. Keep your ken straight up when you turn and strike
with a shomen-uchi in the opposite direction.
When performing this suburi, imagine that the tip of the sword and
the toe of your back foot are linked together by a string, so when you
lift the sword up you step with the back foot. Avoid shifting your
weight backward when preparing the strike. Keep your weight centered all
the time and maintain the kamae position.Wait two seconds at the end of each strike.
You usually perform 4 strikes in one direction and 4 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.
