Most of the sword terminology I know is Japanese, as the katana is what I am formally trained in. Can anyone translate some of the following into English?

Kiri Oroshi
Shomen Giri
Joho Giri
Kesa Giri
Ichimonji Giri

Also, I know the literal translations, but are there European parallels for the following kamae(stances)?

Hasso no kamae
Wakigamae
Chudan no kamae

Thanks guys.

just google those terms or maybe use alta vista babel fish

just google those terms or maybe use alta vista babel fish



No luck. One problem is that people usually train in either European or Asian styles exclusively.Contrast and comparison between, say, the katana and the bastard sword, is relatively rare. The very few articles I've read on this subject are clearly written by someone who understands neither style, and is only casually acquainted with martial arts in general.

I don't really expect a good response on such an esoteric subject, but some of the guys on VNN seem to be on the same page as me when it comes to weapons.

well the acme of western swordplay is fencing, which consists of epee foil and saber. I seem to recall that kesa giri is a downward cutting stroke of the katana, the other main stroke being an upwards cutting stroke. since those use the edge to inflict damage, you would have to correspond them to saber I suppose. But I am, sadly, entirely ignorant of western fencing and so I cant really comment intelligently. Lets have Einzelwesen say sumpfin bout dat-

I'm not really literate about fencing; I'm better at showing than telling. And I favour foil-type blades anyway. So I can only offer some links...

http://fencing.berkeley.edu/terms.html (Fencing terms!)
http://www.kismeta.com/diGrasse/zablocki_SabreFencing.htm
http://www.kismeta.com/diGrasse/zablocki_abstract.htm
http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=255

Thanks Einzelwesen. I had a feeling you'd be the one to chime in.
Ant E, sounds like you've had some experience with kenjutsu. Kesa giri is a downward stroke, made at a 45 degree angle. This is the bread and butter of tameshigiri, or practice cutting, as the hip torque generates lots of power.