Age Gasshô

Age Gasshô (Raised Gasshô) is a training method for learning how to correctly place the hands on the sword during drawing.
It forms a pair with Gasshô Tsuka Kudashi (Lowered Gasshô), also known as Kudashi Gasshô.
It involves placing the hands on the sword as if in a gesture of gasshô (palms together in prayer). While the movement is quite simple, it is essential for proper sword drawing.
Be sure to practice it thoroughly.

Regarding the procedure

The movement is extremely simple.
Place both hands on the sword as if performing a gasshō gesture in front of your navel.
At this time, be mindful to keep both elbows against your sides (tuck your elbows in).

Correction Method

Repeat the gasshô movement while pressing both elbows firmly against your ribs, in an intentionally exaggerated manner.
Perform the motion with the feeling that your elbows are rubbing along your sides and forcefully pressing your ribs inward.
At the same time, this will naturally cause your shoulders to draw slightly inward as well.

It is also helpful to divide the movement into two steps at first.
Rather than rushing into the gasshō motion, start by fully closing both sides of your body (bringing your elbows in). After you clearly feel the action of tucking in your elbows, then proceed to the gasshō movement.
Until you become comfortable with it—and even after—you should periodically practice placing your hands on the sword in these two distinct stages.

When placing your right hand on the hilt, do so with an open hand, without gripping it—just gently placing it as if resting your hand.

Also, try performing an actual gasshō, then gradually lower the height of the gasshō until your hands meet at the height of the sword.
Use this motion to guide your hands naturally onto the sword.

1. Tuck in the elbows
2. Place the hands on the sword

Once you have become sufficiently comfortable with this movement, the next step is to train placing your hands on the sword as quickly as possible.
Practice the motion repeatedly—tucking in your elbows as much as possible while placing your hands on the sword as swiftly as you can.

In the following step, try actually beginning to draw the sword partway.
With your elbows tucked in, quickly place your hands on the sword, cut the koiguchi, and begin to draw the sword—then stop when the blade is about halfway out.
If you draw the sword all the way, it becomes easy to lose focus on the key point of tucking in your elbows while placing your hands.
To stay focused on the training objective, be sure to stop the movement partway through.

Regarding Speed in Sôsho (Ri)

This training method is primarily practiced within the context of Kaisho 楷書 (Shu 守) and is something that should be strictly observed.

Therefore, in the context of Sôsho 草書 (Ri 離)—particularly when performing with speed—the previously explained points are not necessarily followed in full.

At such practical speeds, it is natural for the elbows to open, and this is not considered a problem.

The divergence between Kaisho (Shu) and Sōsho (Ri) is a difficult issue that often troubles practitioners.
In principle, the movements and physical functions thoroughly acquired during the Kaisho stage will, at the Sōsho stage, naturally be optimized and used as needed.
However, at times, clinging too closely to the “correct form” of Kaisho can hinder the more fluid movement required in Sōsho.

To prevent this, detailed instructions and explanations are always provided—whether in videos, online lessons, or in-person instruction.
That said, detours like this are an unavoidable part of training. There are things that simply cannot be gained without making mistakes.

By constantly reviewing your own movements and recognizing and correcting your mistakes, you can reach a stage where you grow through your own effort.
Modern people in particular are often swayed by ideas such as “efficiency,” “rationality,” or “saving time,” and in trying to avoid necessary effort, experience, and detours, they ironically stray further from true efficiency and rational development.
No one likes to fail, but enduring necessary failures is essential for growth.
You could say that a kind of “failure allergy” has become widespread—and this is what hinders the growth of many.

Training Guidelines

There is no fixed number of repetitions, but as a general guideline, practice slowly about 20 times, quickly about 30 times, and also about 30 times drawing the sword halfway at speed.
As with all training methods and techniques, even after you’ve learned it, returning to it from time to time will help improve your physical ability, confirm proper optimization, and promote further development.

It is impossible to draw a sword without first placing your hands on it.
Therefore, the act of placing the hands on the sword can be considered one of the most essential movements.
This is the first critical step in learning Tenshin-ryu’s method of drawing, in which the draw does not begin after placing the hands, but rather the moment the hands touch the sword.
Approach it with full awareness and dedication.