Sanbon-me

When lifting the botuto from gedan-no-kamae, be sure to exert pressure toward the opponent. When the uchidachi thrusts, the shidachi responds first by extending his bukuto outwards and turning it so that the ha faces the right. At the same time, the left foot is extended backwards. The shidachi completes this motion by pulling the bokuto to their navel and bringing the right foot back to join the left. This deflects the uchidachi’s attack and brings the shidachi back to a more advantageous position.

When shidachi performs a return thrust, the ha is again facing the floor and the tip is thrust toward the opponent’s chest. This thrust should be performed sharply with the back straight, and great pressure exerted on the uchidachi. The second thrust should mirror the forward pressure from the hips of the first, though with the left foot forward this time. Three more steps are taken less sharply but with the same pressure. Additionally, which each step forward, the tip should be raised to the throat, nose and between the eyes respectively.

From here, the shidachi should maintain pressure, waiting. The uchidachi will gradually lift his bokuto, prompting the shidachi to take two slow, cautious steps back until the tips touch again. Shidachi then takes three steps back at a normal pace to center.