Tachi Yokomen

Movie of Tachi Yokomen.

Fig. 1 Start		Fig. 2 Parry		Fig. 3 Raised		Fig. 4 Cut

1. Fig. 1 shows the start. This is in the middle of an exercise where Nage cuts back and forth to each side many times. This cut was to Nage's right so the edge of the Boken is away from the camera.
2. Fig. 2 shows the sword in a parry position as the sword is brought up in a circular motion around Nage's head. Nage's hands should be to the right of Nage's head so that a strike to Nage's head does not crush Nage's fingers. Being hit with a boken is a memorable experience. Notice that Nage's left foot is being brought back beside Nage's right foot for this static exercise. In sword fighting it is common to move away from Uke when parrying and toward Uke when cutting.
3. Fig. 3 shows the sword above Nage's head as it circles for a Yokomen from right to left. Nage's left foot is all of the way back and the right foot has just started moving forward. Do not forget the Grasping Reflex.
4. Fig. 4 shows the end of the Yokomen from right to left. The blade is toward the camera and Nage's right foot is forward.

   Fig. 5 Parry		Fig. 6 Raised		Fig. 7 Cut

5. Fig. 5 shows the Boken coming up to parry on Nage's right side as the sword makes a circle from right to left. Nage's right foot is stepping back.
6. Fig. 6 shows the sword coming over Nage's head. Nage's right foot is all of the way back beside Nage's left foot.
7. Fig. 7 shows the end of the cut back at the starting position with Nage's left foot forward.