Bob,Gusei21 wrote:Gary,
We know you are involved in koryu now so could you give us the benefit of your insight into what you are seeing?
Education is a good thing and it might help others see more clearly. No sarcasm intended at all. Genuine interest.
Its on youtube and he was doing a demo so i suppose it is fair game.
I personally have never done a Wado tachi tori in my life because It is beyond my abilities. I only do the sword defense from Shindo Yoshin Ryu but that is a different animal and I suck at it.
Regarding Koryu bujutsu - I'm still a newb at it, and my expertise is limited to the particular tradition that I practice.
That said - what stood out to me was the swordsmanship (or lack of it) tbh.
I know this is a demo - so I apologise if I sound harsh, but I also know that when I have done paired Kata work involving swords with Steve (both in the dojo and at embu) - he beasts me about getting the detail right.
Not least of which is the accuracy of the draw / cut, the commitment behind it and Zanshin.
I didn't see a lot of it here I am afraid.
Like you, I've never done Wado-ryu Tachi-dori, so I can't comment on what Sensei Wicks is doing as part of the defence - apart from to say that if the attack looks poor to me, then I wonder how this affects the defence.
Regards