1000 Cut Drill

Last night we did the Thousand Cut Drill.

The Thousand Cut Drill, for those who have never been exposed, is simply that:  1,000 cuts.  The cuts can be of any variety - we tended to do overhand  and one handed kiroroshi but anything can be done. 

Not so bad, you might think.  After all, the bokuto weighs what - 3 lbs?  5 lbs?  You might find yourself a little sore but that is probably it.  And then you start.

If you are on the middle it is the most intense:  one kirioroshi, 180 degree turn, one kirioroshi.  This is one cut of 50 (i.e. 100 cuts).  If you are on the outer edge, you cut kirioroshi each time the center person turns to you.  This is 50 cuts.  If you rotate through the cycle you will have done 100 cuts.

The first end is not too bad:  you cut and raise overhead back to jodon.  Watch the person in the middle, try to time your cut to theirs.  Remember to breath out when you cut.  You find yourself anticipating their cut.  Slow down, match their speed.

Then you move to the middle.  Starting out is okay; we have done this before.  As you go you notice that your foot is as straight as it should be; try to correct that.  Your cuts are not as straight up and down either.  Work on that.  And then you notice that intersection of your arms and shoulders is beginning tighten up, even to hurt.  Your pace is slowly down while the count still goes on:  "Forty one, Forty two".  By the time you reach 50 your arms are shouting that you should be done.

And then you go to the other side.  Fifty cuts again.  Your right hand is starting to hurt from holding the tsuba in nigiri no kata - as if your were twisting a towel.  As a result your cuts are not s straight as they should be.  Sensei calls out to work on the grip.  You try to comply but know you do not have it right.

Finally you finish.  Move off to the side to rest while others go.  Make the count for them.  And then enter the cycle again.  Your muscles are more sore this time, the foot even a little more off, the cuts not nearly as straight.  You are a little slower.  But you get through.

Next rotation:  right hand only, 25 cuts.  Part of the difficulty is finding where to hold the bokuto so you can cut - you have to move your grip up.  The count goes as your blade seems to make wider and wider circles.

Then the left hand.  This was the worst of all as you very seldom use your left arm for cuts.  you should practice more often, apparently - they are wild, your pace is slow, the bokuto seems completely unbalanced in your hand, to the point you are worried it will slip out.

Next rotation:  the subarito, the heavier practice blade.  Only 10 round (20 cuts) this time:  the weight seems heavier because it is, but after the debacle of the left hand it seems better if for no other reason than you have your form back.

Finally to triangle drill, a six cut drill in which you make a triangle:  suheigiri cut right, flip the blade over into wakinokimae, cut up on a diagonal right to left shoulder in yokokesa-giri then rotate the blade around your head to cut back right to left in kesa giri.  Flip the blade behind you right in wakinokimae, suhei giri cut left, cut up on a diagonal left to right should in reverse yokokesa giri, then rotate the blade around your head to cut back left to right in kesa giri.  Flip the blade back into wakinokimae.  This is one set. 

You start off well but find that your timing is slightly off from your counter.  You try to match up with him but then find you are cheating your cuts.  All the time as you go your muscles are getting more tired, your cuts a little less precise, your timing a little more off.

And then it happens.

Tired and behind and perhaps in desperation you start making your cuts bigger, more flowing.  Your hips are moving more as you reach into the cuts and then fall back into them.  Your timing seems to have suddenly taken care of itself as you move with your counter almost in unison  In the midst of screaming muscles and imprecise cuts you find the unity of motion the true practitioner always seeks:  your body is moving with blade but you are not thinking about the body or the blade.  You are merely thinking about the next cut. 

For one brief instant four hundred years of swordsmen cut with you in unison.

Sensei calls for a stop.  Final count:  1050 cuts.  More than last year and now we have a target for the following year.

You are exhausted.  Your biceps and shoulders are notifying you that they may consider taking the day off.  Your sweat is mingled with the smell of everyone else as they fold up their hakama until next week.

But in your mind as you fumble with your keys in the car door, you do not remember the pain of the preceding 900 cuts.  You remember the last 100, when your body flowed.