Nukitsuke with concept

Nukitsuke (抜き付け) with Concept

To reduce the essence of Iaido to merely the fast drawing of the sword is absolutely one-dimensional. Certainly, it’s true that the first action must be immediate to overcome an equally active opponent. A clean Nukitsuke (抜き付け) conceals one’s true intention and ability; it appears unexpected, direct and with asymmetrical force. Yet, this initial move of a kata alone holds diverse concepts that extend far beyond mere speed, and these are what we’ll explore in more detail here.

Sen (先): The art of initiative

In Japanese martial arts like Iaido and Kendo, the concept of “Sen” is central to timing and tactics in combat or training. The concept of Sen (先 – Initiative, Before, Leadership) takes the initiative at the decisive moment. It’s less about sheer speed and more about perception, timing, and mental presence.

There are three main stages of “Sen,” which define the timing of one’s own action in relation to the opponent’s action.

1. Sen-sen-no-Sen (先々の先): The initiative before the initiative

This is the highest and most demanding form of initiative. It means sensing the opponent’s intent and acting before they even begin their attack, even before they’ve definitively made the decision to attack or before their aggressive intent has manifested. You intuitively “read” the opponent.
It’s about recognizing an opening that isn’t necessarily physically visible, but rather a mental gap, an uncertainty, or an indecisive movement in the opponent’s mind. You attack when the opponent is not yet fully mentally prepared for the attack or is just gathering their aggressive energy. Your own attack is essentially the spark that nullifies the opponent’s (not yet fully manifested) aggressive intent.

How do you recognize the moment? The opponent is just starting to change their breathing or show a minimal tension that indicates an impending attack. You use this moment to execute your own move decisively and stifle the opponent’s attack in its infancy. It’s an attack on the “idea” of the opponent’s attack. This concept is primarily pursued in Kata Mae or similar situations.

2. Sen-no-Sen (先の先): The initiative within the initiative

In Sen-no-Sen, one acts precisely at the moment the opponent begins their attack or is in the early phase of its execution. One reacts to the first visible movement or the first sign of the attack by initiating one’s own attack, overtaking or interrupting the opponent.
The opponent has manifested their aggressive intent and begins to move. You exploit this movement and the resulting opening (Suki). It’s a timing where your own attack crosses or intercepts the opponent’s before it can fully develop its effect.

The opponent is just raising their sword to strike, or beginning to take a step forward. You react immediately by launching your own cut or thrust, hitting the opponent before their own strike is executed. You effectively steal the initiative from them in the flow of their attack. This can be effectively practiced in Kata Morotezuki.

3. Go-no-Sen (後の先): The initiative after the initiative / counter-initiative

Go-no-Sen means seizing the initiative after the opponent has executed their attack, or after it has missed, been blocked, or been parried. It’s a counter-action that exploits the opponent’s loss of balance, open stance, or exhaustion after their attack.
You absorb the opponent’s attack, parry it, or evade it, and then use the moment of the opponent’s opening or unbalance to launch your own decisive counter-attack. It’s a defensive reaction that transitions into an offensive takeover of control. Go-no-Sen isn’t the most popular idea in Budo, as you lose the initial initiative, reacting which diminishes the chance of victory.

The opponent strikes, and you evade, parry, or block the blow. The moment the opponent’s strike has passed or been deflected, and the opponent has perhaps briefly lost balance or needs to reposition, you execute your own counter-attack. This concept is evident in various Kata: Kata Ukenagashi, Soogiri, etc.

Practical examples in Kendo

Conclusion

These three concepts of “Sen” are fundamental to understanding timing, distance (Ma-ai), and mental composure. A good Nukitsuke as the first action relies on them. In Iaido, it’s also fundamentally important to execute the action without interruption or gaps in the flow of movement. This demands full presence and unwavering attention.