Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0 
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 8, 2018 14:17:57 GMT -5
Seijuro stands in silence for a moment, letting the still quiet of the evening be an answer for Fuyuko's request that leads into the retort. His eyes close, seeking serene enrapture in the nothingness the Void brings. A clear state of mind.
There! The wooden blade flashes out from its sheath, a smooth strike seemingly guided by the spirits of his ancestors. The blow was most certainly powerful, but it was far from the quickest the sensei had even seen. Any Kakita trained samurai worth his or her salt would have defeated the boy. Seijuro cleared invisible blood in a chiburi motion before resheating his bokken, awaiting her next command solemnly.
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Post by Doji Fuyuko on Jan 8, 2018 14:33:39 GMT -5
Fuyuko nods as she watches this then taps her finger on her lips a few times. "Strike again, but this time...pause in the middle of the strike, I want you to feel which muscles you are using so we can focus them. Hold the position as long as you can and tell me where you feel the strain."
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 8, 2018 14:41:37 GMT -5
Seijuro nodded, then fell into the meditative state once more. Another few moments, and this time a half strike. His knees were bent, chest slightly out in front, sword arm bent in a little more than a 90 degree arc at the elbow.
He sat there for at least 4 or 5 minutes, before his posture began to tremble slightly. The Lion's breathing became audible, sweat began to fall from his brow. It was clear the young man was hardy and had good stamina. Were he to get into a duel to the death, that may very well be his greatest strength - a retaliatory strike after taking a blow of his own, or mutual destruction in a kharmic blow.
He exhales deeply after another minute. "Shoulder, bicep. Thighs and calves."
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Post by Doji Fuyuko on Jan 8, 2018 14:44:42 GMT -5
Fuyuko waits patiently, walking around him slowly before she nods, giving him permission to break his hold. "Emma-o Pity anyone who challenges you to a duel to the death and does not finish you in one strike. Still. Now, I want you to strike again, as fast as you can while your muscles are sore. Tell me which of them you feel during that move. I want you to pay attention so you can figure out which muscles affect your speed and power both rather then just one or the other."
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 8, 2018 14:57:54 GMT -5
Seijuro nodded once more. He fell into his iai stance once more, focusing for only a moment, sweat pouring into his eyes from his longish locks of dark hair. His golden eyes opened and the wooden blade leaped out again, slower than the previous strikes, but following the same two arcs as before. Once more he flicked invisible blood from his blade, and slid it back into his belt.
"The forward step explodes from the legs, and the energy transfers through the hips into the sword arm. I feel all of them, acting separately from each other. Sore and slow." Seijuro sighs. "I have head that the samurai himself is the sword, all one, acting in unison."
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Post by Doji Fuyuko on Jan 8, 2018 15:15:29 GMT -5
She nods to him, then takes her boken, gesturing as if to ask permision then presses the tip of it against his chest with a slight bit of pressure. "Do you feel this Akodo-sama? Were this a duel to first strike, this is all the pressure I would require to win with a blade should my strike land first on an unarmored opponent. The hips and leg propel you forward but notice how late the sword arm needs to act, it finishes your strike while I feel in you it is starting the motion. Try again but this time, try to land the strike with no more pressure then I just placed on you." she says withdrawing.
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 8, 2018 15:32:29 GMT -5
"Hai, sensei," Seijuro replies, observing Fuyuko's grip on her sword. The way in which she moved her arm to place the wooden blade at his sternum. Her stance as she moved. He takes a mental note, closes his eyes, and focuses again. It takes a few moments longer for him to achieve mu, but it eventually comes to him.
This time, his grip is looser. His movements more free. The strike is much more subtle, and a bit faster. Nearly the same amount of pressure Fuyuko had applied.
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Post by Doji Fuyuko on Jan 8, 2018 15:35:25 GMT -5
Fuyuko gives a small smile. "Perfect. Practice that strike first. Do not worry, when I was young I put far too much strength into my strikes. Older now it is still useful due to my stature but the blade is a delicate weapon. One must learn to strike with Air, Earth, Water and Fire as well as void. Your Earth strike is superb. Your Air strike should be next."
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Akodo Seijuro
Lion Clan
“With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone.”
Posts: 304 Likes: 0
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Post by Akodo Seijuro on Jan 8, 2018 15:41:48 GMT -5
Seijuro turned with the smallest of smiles, feeling a bit proud. Well, he WAS a Lion after all.
"Thank you for your lesson, Doji-sensei. I will take your wisdom to heart." He bowed very low, very respectfully, to the older but smaller woman. "My name is Akodo Seijuro, I'm a third year student here."
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Post by Doji Fuyuko on Jan 8, 2018 15:43:55 GMT -5
Gives a respectful bow back. "My name is Doji Fuyuko and I will be teaching and coaching Iaido. This one is pleased to see that the school has only improved in her absence." she says looking around the Dojo again wistfully. "So many memories here."
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