Iaido Okuiai IwazaNoBu 05 Shihogiri Iwata Norikazu Sensei (Transl.in desc.) 居合道 奥居合居業之部 五本目 四方切 岩田憲一

Okuiai IwazaNoBu Gohonme (05) Shihogiri (Four directions cuts) 奥居合居業之部 五本目 四方切
Iwata Norikazu 岩田憲一
Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido 無双直伝英信流 居合道

The fifth technique, Shihōgiri, assumes that you are surrounded on all four sides. In this case, you are imagining three opponents in front and to the right and left diagonals, and one opponent in the left rear. After dealing with the left rear opponent, you cut the right diagonal, then the left diagonal, and finally, the front opponent with a downward cut.

You must cut through the four opponents one after another, but maintaining constant force will not allow you to continue. By moving with the strength of your waist and lower abdomen, you can naturally draw the sword with ease. Although you will swing your sword several times to cut all four opponents, each time, you should twist your fist and swing as if deflecting the opponent's attacks.

When you cut and switch between opponents, you must ensure that your body moves naturally into the next position. A crucial point is that when you switch positions, you must relax your grip on the sword. By loosening your grip, you can swing the sword with ease, one cut after another, while maintaining accuracy. If your grip is tight, it will restrict your breathing, and your chest and lungs will become strained.

You must move with the strength of your waist and lower abdomen, forgetting not to use the power of your entire body.

The variation of Shihōgiri assumes a different setup where the four opponents are positioned at the corners. In this case, you should perform the cuts without much movement of your legs.