surikomi

Finally got to the dojo and managed to train a bit. Did some iai for a few minutes and then Gosoke told us start kumitachi. Four of us, self included, so I paired up with Salty and got to work. One of the kata was surikomi, which involves sliding your sword down the enemy's blade so that he basically cuts his own right foot because his sword is driven back and down and pinned by your own. The trick is to not use strength, but to wrap up his sword with yours. It's more of a twisting thing. Really hard to explain, even harder to do. I've always been terrible at it, but as I was helping Gosoke teach, I dropped all three of their blades into their own foot, but none of them could make mine move at all. I smiled to myself, not amused by my own ability but remembering years ago when I was in their place and Gosoke kept slamming my sword into my own foot so many times I could barely walk. Ah, memories and progress. I still can't do it near as dangerously as Gosoke can, but at least I can assure these guys that if they practice for a few more years, they may get it a little bit.

After practice I went by Miri's for a burger for the first time in forever and there was JB and the girlfriend. Well I introduced him to the place, so I had every right to crash their date. Seriously though, a lovely girl...far too good for JB!