The Tachi is a Japanese long sword, which was worn slung from a sword belt. Like the Katana, the Tachi had a single edged carved blade and was worn with the cutting edge down. This was the style when wearing armor but died out in the 1600’s. In modern times there are obvious benefits from the practice of tachi-dori; Zanshin (awareness), Maai (distancing), Kime (focus), Hyoshi (correct timing) just to name a few.

Because of the disproportion in reach and the obvious danger between two opponents when one is armed with a katana and the other unarmed, tachi-dori waza requires correct acuity and control of, the distance separating the two during the encounter. The sense of timing and the ability to fill a suki (an opening or gap in the attackers defence) with an appropriate technique is also developed by tachi-dori practice. Most attackers armed with a live blade would be surprised to have their intended victim step forward and counter rather than try to escape the descending blade, and that surprise might just yield a suki prior to the attackers follow on cut.

Entering against a strong focused attack while attempting to maintain balance and composure is difficult enough. Harder still, is the ability to be able to step to the exact spot required to dominate the engagement but with each success the student’s confidence and spirit grows stronger. The appreciable risks associated with tachi-dori practice is of course the act of placing one’s body in jeopardy with the possibility of being struck by a sword or bokken but without the element of real danger, tachi-dori practice would be pointless.