Tanto Dori

Within Wado Ryu Ohtsuka Sensei has taught a variety of pairworks involving facing a dagger.

The tanto dori should be taken in the same way as kata and kihon kumite. They are very formalised approaches to the same fundamental principles but this time an extra element of risk involved. This tests both your movement and mental attitude.

These are not necessarily a guide on 'how to defend against an experienced knife attacker'. The same pairwork can equally be done using the short stick (tanbo).

In the photograph to the left Ohtsuka Jiro Sensei has his son, Ohtsuka Kazutaka, held under control prior to kicking one of the supporting legs away and then performing what would be a throw of the head towards the ground.

Note how the opponent's chin is cupped and then pulled back slightly. This can also be done with a turn of their head as well. Ohtsuka Sensei's left forearm was held against the opponent's back and then rotated to lift the shoulder blades. He positions himself behind in such a way and by applying pressure as to avoid the knife being able reach him.

As with all the pairworks, there are many minute details and possibilities that get drawn out as you work them with a knowledgeable instructor.