SHINAI

STRUCTURE OF THE SHINAI

SAKIGAWA

NAKA-YUI

TSUKA

Te-no-uchi

Te-no-uchi is the correct hand position and grip for holding the shinai. Te-no-uchi can be likened to that of a proper handshake; the grasp is confident, yet the wrist and arm remain flexible. Correct te-no-uchi allows the shinai to be held securely without strain; permits fast and easy mobility; and is key to crisp (not crushing) and accurate strikes and techniques.

Hand position

1. The anatomy of the hand includes the tora-kuchi. The tora-kuchi is the angle at the base of the index finger and thumb. The tora-kuchi and the tsuru (or the seam of the tsuk-gawa [leather handle covering]) are the keys for positioning the hands in relation to the shinai’s circumference. The tsuru indicates the upright side of the shinai in its drawn attitude. In its correct configuration, the tsuru also marks the top centerline of the shinai. The hands should be positioned on the shinai in such a manner that the top centerline of the shinai runs through the apex of the tora-kuchi of both hands.

2. The forward position of the right hand is generally one-and-a-half fists ahead of the left hand. A common method for establishing the forward position of the right hand is to:

a. bend the right arm at the elbow,

b. place the hilt of the shinai in the joint of the elbow,

c. grasp the shinai with the right hand. Where the hand grasps the shinai is the point of placement for the right hand. Hand grip The shinai should be gripped firmly, as if holding an egg without crushing the shell.

To grip the shinai:

a. Extended the left hand as if reaching out to give a handshake greeting.

b. Position the hilt of the shinai on the inside portion of the heel of the hand.

c. Grasp the shinai firmly with the third and fourth fingers.

d. Grip the shinai with the middle finger using moderate (not tight or loose) pressure.

e. The index finger and thumb remain relaxed.

f. The right hand is positioned appropriately on the shinai, as previously outlined, and grips the shinai in the same manner as the left hand.

Main Points

1. Throughout the process of strikes and techniques, the hand positioning and grip should never change.

2. The hands should not grip the shinai squarely. A square grip is usually the result of including the index fingers and thumbs in gripping the shinai. Such a grip will restrict the flexibility and movement of the hands.

3. The hilt of the shinai should be held at the very end. The overlapping of the small finger halfway over the end of the shinai is an acceptable practice. However, never is the shinai to be held with the hilt protruding from the heel of the left hand.

4. The right hand should not grasp the shinai directly below the tsuba.

Maintaining Your Shinai

It is important to continually check your shinai for any problems that might occur. The shinai should be checked every practice for cracks, fraying or splinters. The tension of the tsuru should also be checked. A tsuru that is loose can allow the sakigawa to come off during practice. If a sakigawa comes off it can allow the staves to enter through the men gane causing injury. The sakigawa should be checked for wear on the bottom and the lacing on the end for signs of opening up. The shinai must be repaired before being used again. New shinai should be checked after first use to ensure that nothing has stretched and loosened up such as the tsuru.

Replacing a Broken Stave

There are a variety of opinions about replacing staves and rotating them. Ask three people and get four opinions. I change out my staves and rotate them as well and have found no difference in the how long the shinai lasts. They run from breaking the first time you use them to lasting up to two years. Some bamboo is just better than other. To replace the stave line it up with the ends of the shinai and press it against the chigiri (metal square) to make a mark. Cut in the new groove. Be sure and select a replacement stave that matches as closely as possible to the shinai you are repairing. It should match for size and width.

What to do with a Loose Handle

Sometimes you have a handle that is a little too large and will twist on the shinai during use. You can tighten the handle up with some success by wringing it. By some success I mean that this doesn't always work. I have had good luck most of the time. Remove the handle and wring it tightly like a towel. It should help take the slack out of it. Try it on and see how it fits. If that fails then the handle will have to be changed.