Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Tanren "Yari no kokoromochi," which translates to "the heart behind a spear." This Tanren is based on a passage from the Book of Samurai (Volume 1, page 153), which instructs that when operating at night, one should sweep the spear horizontally and, upon making contact with an object, pull back and stab.
Key Elements:
• Technique and Mechanics: Sweep horizontally with the spear. Upon making contact with an object ("when you hit something"), pull back. Execute a stab.
• Footwork for Stability: To navigate low-light conditions or uneven terrain, the exercise utilizes shuffle steps. This movement provides stability and allows the practitioner to maintain a consistent line of movement while searching for a target.
• Sensitivity Training: The primary goal of the exercise is to develop sensitivity and awareness in the dark. To simulate these conditions for training purposes, practitioners are encouraged to use a blindfold while practicing horizontal sweeps with a spear or a common broomstick.
• Practical Application: The drill emphasizes that these skills are transferable to low-light environments and demonstrates how everyday items, such as a broomstick, can be effectively utilized as improvised weapons.
Modern Application:
• Modern Adaptation: McDonald integrates modern tactical mechanics into the historical strategy. He draws on his experience from a prison Emergency Response Team (ERT), specifically applying "poke thrust" baton techniques to the spear.
• Technical Mechanics: He demonstrates a specific grip where the back hand is positioned near the waist (choked up slightly) and the front hand guides the shaft. He explains the "poke thrust" as drawing the weapon back like a pool cue and driving the hips forward during the strike to maintain control even if a hard object is hit.
• Tactical Movement: To navigate safely in the dark or on uneven terrain, he utilizes shuffle steps. This involves leaning forward and moving the back foot slightly before shuffling the front foot forward to avoid slipping.
• The Practical Drill: Using a broomstick or some other object readily available as an improvised weapon, McDonald performs the exercise while blindfolded to simulate pitch-black conditions. He demonstrates searching for a training dummy by sweeping horizontally and then attempting to hit it with a thrust once contact is sensed.
#Yari #Tanren #SamuraiTraining #JapaneseMartialArts #MartialArtsTraining #Budo #SpearTraining #BlindfoldTraining #Ninjutsu #Bushido #TraditionalMartialArts #SurvivalTraining #WeaponTraining #DojoTraining #LowLightTraining
Discover the traditions, strategy, and mindset of the samurai through the teachings and historical research connected to Natori Ryū and the writings of Antony Cummins.
Resources
📖 The Book of Samurai – Volume 1
Get the Book Here
⚔️ Natori Ryū Hub
Explore the Natori Ryū Hub
☕ Support the Channel
Buy Me a Coffee buymeacoffee.com/antonycummins
🔗 Official Links & Socials
Linktree linktr.ee/antonyjcummins
🌐 Official Website
Natori Ryu Official Website natori.co.uk
▶️ YouTube Channels
Antony Cummins YouTube Channel youtube.com/@AntonyCummins
Natori Ryū YouTube Channel youtube.com/@natoriryu
Tags:
yari, yari training, yari no kokoro mochi, spear training, samurai spear, samurai training, tanren, martial arts, Japanese martial arts, traditional martial arts, budo, bushido, ninjutsu, blindfold training, low light training, awareness training, sensitivity training, broomstick training, weapon training, dojo training, samurai weapons, spear techniques, tactical movement, survival skills, warrior mindset, historical martial arts, Japanese spear, martial arts conditioning, Edmonton Institution, poke thrust, tactical training,
Tanren "Yari no kokoromochi," which translates to "the heart behind a spear." This Tanren is based on a passage from the Book of Samurai (Volume 1, page 153), which instructs that when operating at night, one should sweep the spear horizontally and, upon making contact with an object, pull back and stab.
Key Elements:
• Technique and Mechanics: Sweep horizontally with the spear. Upon making contact with an object ("when you hit something"), pull back. Execute a stab.
• Footwork for Stability: To navigate low-light conditions or uneven terrain, the exercise utilizes shuffle steps. This movement provides stability and allows the practitioner to maintain a consistent line of movement while searching for a target.
• Sensitivity Training: The primary goal of the exercise is to develop sensitivity and awareness in the dark. To simulate these conditions for training purposes, practitioners are encouraged to use a blindfold while practicing horizontal sweeps with a spear or a common broomstick.
• Practical Application: The drill emphasizes that these skills are transferable to low-light environments and demonstrates how everyday items, such as a broomstick, can be effectively utilized as improvised weapons.
Modern Application:
• Modern Adaptation: McDonald integrates modern tactical mechanics into the historical strategy. He draws on his experience from a prison Emergency Response Team (ERT), specifically applying "poke thrust" baton techniques to the spear.
• Technical Mechanics: He demonstrates a specific grip where the back hand is positioned near the waist (choked up slightly) and the front hand guides the shaft. He explains the "poke thrust" as drawing the weapon back like a pool cue and driving the hips forward during the strike to maintain control even if a hard object is hit.
• Tactical Movement: To navigate safely in the dark or on uneven terrain, he utilizes shuffle steps. This involves leaning forward and moving the back foot slightly before shuffling the front foot forward to avoid slipping.
• The Practical Drill: Using a broomstick or some other object readily available as an improvised weapon, McDonald performs the exercise while blindfolded to simulate pitch-black conditions. He demonstrates searching for a training dummy by sweeping horizontally and then attempting to hit it with a thrust once contact is sensed.
#Yari #Tanren #SamuraiTraining #JapaneseMartialArts #MartialArtsTraining #Budo #SpearTraining #BlindfoldTraining #Ninjutsu #Bushido #TraditionalMartialArts #SurvivalTraining #WeaponTraining #DojoTraining #LowLightTraining
Discover the traditions, strategy, and mindset of the samurai through the teachings and historical research connected to Natori Ryū and the writings of Antony Cummins.
Resources
📖 The Book of Samurai – Volume 1
Get the Book Here
⚔️ Natori Ryū Hub
Explore the Natori Ryū Hub
☕ Support the Channel
Buy Me a Coffee buymeacoffee.com/antonycummins
🔗 Official Links & Socials
Linktree linktr.ee/antonyjcummins
🌐 Official Website
Natori Ryu Official Website natori.co.uk
▶️ YouTube Channels
Antony Cummins YouTube Channel youtube.com/@AntonyCummins
Natori Ryū YouTube Channel youtube.com/@natoriryu
Tags:
yari, yari training, yari no kokoro mochi, spear training, samurai spear, samurai training, tanren, martial arts, Japanese martial arts, traditional martial arts, budo, bushido, ninjutsu, blindfold training, low light training, awareness training, sensitivity training, broomstick training, weapon training, dojo training, samurai weapons, spear techniques, tactical movement, survival skills, warrior mindset, historical martial arts, Japanese spear, martial arts conditioning, Edmonton Institution, poke thrust, tactical training,
