I really love these videos, Mr Frank, and find them an absolute treasure trove for those of us who truly enjoy learning more about Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū!! I hope you’ll keep ‘em coming! 😃👍🏻

This is true, but mostly makiuchi is performed in such manner for the purpose of avoiding the crest of your own helmet.
It needs to be said, that certain styles of martial arts need to be seen in the historical context in which they were created and existed.
TSKSR is a style that was created and developed during the late middle ages, late 14th to 15th centuries if I'm not mistaken. It was mostly purely designed for the battlefield, unlike later styles that came during the Edo period.
During this period of relative long peace, the majority of the Samurai were living in urban settings and armour was not worn on a daily basis. Kenjutsu became more of a self defensive art used to maintain order and the rule of law. This gave way for the development of arts that focused more directly to address these issues.
Arts like Iaijutsu then developed and also gave way for unarmed methods to develop further, like jujutsu and aikijujutsu. The old Yawara methods of armored grappling seem antiquated and lacking more precise techniques.

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for this excellent exposition.
Coming from an Eishin Ryu background it is fascinating to see styles closer to the sengoku. I've had many a discussion with iaidoka of other traditions and the cleanliness of direct teaching in this video stands out for clarity and thoroughness.
Thank you for maintaining the tradition and spirit.

Thank you
I learn a lot in today’s lesson
First I saw the motion
But after you explained the purposes
Then I was able to see the big picture
I wish you and your channel the very best

I like all the cuts. They are all valid. The sweeping cut (you mentioned Iaido but I just think we should use all cuts) is good for distance. The Aikido cut (schools are all different) is like a chopping cut but with forward intention (that many fail to see). It is good for block/parrying and cutting. And the Maki-uchi is the same as the latter but with a defensive aspect and more being made of the thrust. They are all good. Been doing it a long time myself and will steal anything from anywhere.

Thank you .

Nice video and great analysis of using deflects and functional techniques against armor! ❤

Yes, this is undoubtedly the primordial idea behind the school's techniques, but...
Now that it is practiced as a cultural heritage that has no direct (technical) application in reality, it is considered normal to study its originally intended application, but... Katori Shinto-ryu has a centuries-old history, and during each stage of its existence (in the pre-modern eras) it had to adapt (and change technically) to the adequate requirements of the respective era in order to be able to preserve his "essence" and to survive.
That is why the wide range of action you describe are not entirely inadequate to the practice of the school; as they say - "Each situation has its own rules (advantages and disadvantages)", so I think it is good for the practitioner to know all the possibilities and use the most adequate ones according to the situation of the moment:))

Excellent video, knowledge and explanation! Thank you! 👌

Best demo ever.  Thank you.

Great explanation! Thank U!

Hi Paul, another insightful video and a a great teaching tool. I have found in my practice that while there are differences but there are also many more commonalities and share the same principles.

The ideas that are taught from this school are nearly impossible to hear about outside a dojo.  I am happy that schools like these are becoming more relaxed and less secretive of their applications.  Some traditions are more detrimental to a school than beneficial and as I hope to study this Ryuha when I move to Japan, videos like these are indispensable.
ありがとうございました　Frank-先生

Fantastic, thank you again

Clear, well thought out and extremely helpful. Many thanks!

As an Iaido practitioner, I find the nuances of these cuts fascinating. Thank you for the informative posts 👍

Very interesting!!

Awesome thank you for explanation I always wanted to learn how to use a sword but never had the opportunity ...

interesting.  I've been involved in one form or another in the martial arts most of my life. from Japanese and Okinawan  Karate to Judo and Tradittional Ju jitsu . But my youngest has started into HEMA which has gotten me more into the Kenjutsu applications of my studies.  I am thinking videos like this will help me unlock sword skills hidden in many older forms and help me spare against my child's rapier tactics. Will be watching more in the future and am looking forward to them.

2:55 Paul the video you mentioned of the cut performed by Kawabata Terutaka, the first soke of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu, that you mentioned was not intended to be a killing or striking technique for practical swordfighting with armor. The purpose of that project was to document and test the durability and quality of Yoshindo Yoshiharas Nihonto swordsmithing. The blade Kawabata san used was a Yoshihara one. The officials there in the video were there to witness a cut that hadnt been executed in decades to test a swordmiths capabilities. All Japanese Koryu styles know that if an opponent was aromored only the weakspots of the yoroi can be targeted, which is specifically what Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu does practically, later Edo Kenjutsu adapted to unarmored opponents.