Closing from a Distance

April 23, 1992

Mark J. Norton


In situations other than a formal duel or a practice session, two swordsmen would rarely start with swords crossed at a static, proper distance. Rather, the two would spot each other and some distance and close on each other. This opening phase of combat is a very important one since small openings or weaknesses can lead to a rapid conclusion to the encounter. Although the initial point of contact and exchange of blows is a crucial one, I would like to discuss how to go about closing on an opponent so as to take advance of his weaknesses and protect yourself in the process.

In the dojo, little or no time is spent on teaching the modern swordsman how to walk or run with the sword. This was not true of days gone by. Look at the way most people walk: one foot is lifted up, moved forward, and the rest of the body falls slightly to complete the step. There are problems with this that the martial artist should be aware of. First, when lifting the foot, the entire body is often also elevated. As the body rises, the center of gravity also rises, and balance is momentarily lost. When placing the foot, the body falls, often with relatively little control (this is how people stumble). Don't take my word for this, watch an untrained person walk. See how the head rises and falls? Listen to them. Thump, thump, thump. You can hear them rising and falling to the ground with a crash on each step.

The proper way to walk (and run) is to use gliding steps. Here, weight is removed from one foot until almost all pressure is off. That foot is slid forward along the ground and weight transfered to it. Instead of rising up and falling with each step, walking consists of transfering weight back and forth between feet with little or no vertical movement. The one-point (hara) should be low, with knees slightly bent, and back straight. Feeling in the feet is very similar to the empty step technique of Tai Chi Chaun. Done properly, the swordsman seems to glide over the ground at a steady, level height. The sound of this move is swish, swish, swish. As proficiency improves, this becomes no sound at all.

So what, you say! Why is this better? For starters, your balance is greatly improved. By keeping your center low during motion, you maintain your balance while gaining ground. With your feet in contact with the ground, you can suddenly shift your weight or change direction without having to wait for your foot to come down to complete a step. Maintaining contact with the earth also gives you a feel for its quality, without having to move your attention from the enemy. This last point is strongly made in The Art of War. Knowing that there is sand, firm earth, or concrete under foot can give you an edge during the exchange of blows to come.

Students should practice walking in this manner. Have them walk with feet in contact with the ground. Move from your center using the hips and extend ki. This is very strong. Even someone trying to hold you back cannot stop you from moving.

It is difficult to run with a sword, sheathed or drawn. In the scabbard, the sword tends to encomber the movement of your body, thumping against the legs. To counter this, hold the handle of the sword and extert a small force downwards. This causes the sword to become level with the ground, pointed in the direction of travel. This is also a ready position to draw from.

Drawn, the sword becomes a weight to carry while running. Using a normal running gait, the body moves up and down, causing the sword to waver while held. Using gliding steps, the sword is kept steady and ready for contact. Three postures are commonly used: sword in front pointed forwards, sword at side pointing back, sword held high overhead. Each has its advantages in certain situations and corresponds with the basic sword kamae positions. Students should practice movement with the sword held in all of these positions, leading to a strike. Have the students experience both kinds of walking: normal and gliding. Emphasize that gliding steps are easier and move balanced with a drawn sword. Practice this until it becomes natural and instinctive.