The Box Form

The box form consists of 11 steps, most containing multiple foot and sword movements. The first shows them listed as steps that would be called by an instructor, and the second lists them broken down into the building blocks for each step for ease of learning. Some of these building blocks will feel awkward when done in isolation, however the form is intended to flow from one directly into the next. At the end of each line, the foot placement listed represents which foot should be forward at the completion of the line.

Spacing: The box form travers in the pattern of a square. From the starting location, a fighter will need to be able to travel backwards and to the right approximately five or six yards. When done in formation, ensure proper staggering and spacing to allow for movement for each leg of the box. If done correctly, the ending location should be very close to the starting location.

Step:

1. Step Back Right Foot Draw Sword, Step Forward Middle Strike (Right to Left) Kiai, Step Back Low Block (Blocking Right), Step Back High Strike (Right Foot Forward)

2. About Face Middle Block (Blocking Left), Step Forward Low Strike (Left to Right), Step Forward High Block (Blocking Right /Arms Crossed) (Left Foot Forward)

3. Pivot on Front Foot, 90 Degree Turn Right Middle Strike (Right to Left), Step Back Low Block (Blocking Right), Step Back High Strike (Left Foot Forward)

4. About Face Middle Block (Blocking Right), Step Forward Low Strike (Right to Left), Step Forward High Block (Blocking Left/Arms Straight) (Right Foot Forward)

5. Pivot on Front Foot, 90 Degree Turn Left Middle Strike (Left to Right), Step Forward Low Block (Blocking Left), Step Forward High Strike (Right Foot Forward)

6. About Face Middle Block (Blocking Right), Step Back Low Strike (Right to Left), Step Back High Block (Blocking Left/Arms Straight) (Left Foot Forward)

7. Pivot on Back Foot, 90 Degree Turn Left Long Kiai, Step Back High Block (Blocking Left/Arms Straight) (Right Foot Forward), Step Back High Strike (Left Foot Forward)

8. About Face Low Strike (Left to Right), Step Forward Middle Block (Blocking Left), Step Forward Middle Strike (Left to Right), Step Forward Long Kiai (Left Foot Forward)

9. Pivot on Front Foot, 90 Degree Turn Right Low Block (Blocking Left), Step Forward Diagonal Down (Right to Left) Kiai (Right Foot Forward)

10. Step Back Clean the Blade (Left Foot Forward)

11. Stepping Forward to Feet Together While Sheathing Sword

Some of the building blocks require further explanation that would be cumbersome to explain in the list. Listed here are the line numbers and detailed explanation (see the line number break down below.)

Line 1: After drawing sword, position sword to the right, flat, and place left hand on bottom

Line 4: Move from the low block to the high strike with the sword rotating behind on the right side

Line 10: Move from the low block to the high strike with the sword rotating behind on the right side

Line 16: Move from the low block to the high strike with the sword rotating behind on the left side

Line 20: Pivot is not a normal turn, draw back left foot to right foot, then lung out at 90 degrees in one motion

Line 21: Lunge recovery should go directly into the step back without a break in flow

Line 27: Slight delay between footwork and block. Block should start before feet finish, but should land late

Line 28: Moving from low block, sword move back behind head for one motion into powerful shot

Step 1

Line 1 Step Back Right Foot Draw Sword (Left Foot Forward)

Line 2 Step Forward Middle Strike (Right to Left) Kiai (Right Foot Forward)

Line 3 Step Back Low Block (Blocking Right) (Left Foot Forward)

Line 4 Step Back High Strike (Right Foot Forward)

Step 2

Line 5 About Face Middle Block (Blocking Left) (Left Foot Forward)

Line 6 Step Forward Low Strike (Left to Right) (Right Foot Forward)

Line 7 Step Forward High Block (Blocking Right /Arms Crossed) (Left Foot Forward)

Step 3

Line 8 Pivot on Front Foot, 90 Degree Turn Right Middle Strike (Right to Left) (Left Foot Forward)

Line 9 Step Back Low Block (Blocking Right) (Right Foot Forward)

Line 10   Step Back High Strike (Left Foot Forward)

Step 4

Line 11   About Face Middle Block (Blocking Right) (Right Foot Forward)

Line 12   Step Forward Low Strike (Right to Left) (Left Foot Forward)

Line 13   Step Forward High Block (Blocking Left/Arms Straight) (Right Foot Forward)

Step 5

Line 14   Pivot on Front Foot, 90 Degree Turn Left Middle Strike (Left to Right) (Right Foot Forward)

Line 15   Step Forward Low Block (Blocking Left) (Left Foot Forward)

Line 16   Step Forward High Strike (Right Foot Forward)

Step 6

Line 17   About Face Middle Block (Blocking Right) (Left Foot Forward)

Line 18   Step Back Low Strike (Right to Left) (Right Foot Forward)

Line 19   Step Back High Block (Blocking Left/Arms Straight) (Left Foot Forward)

Step 7

Line 20   Pivot on Back Foot, 90 Degree Turn Left Long Kiai (Left Foot Forward)

Line 21   Step Back High Block (Blocking Left/Arms Straight) (Right Foot Forward)

Line 22   Step Back High Strike (Left Foot Forward)

Step 8

Line 23   About Face Low Strike (Left to Right) (Right Foot Forward)

Line 24   Step Forward Middle Block (Blocking Left) (Left Foot Forward)

Line 25   Step Forward Middle Strike (Left to Right) (Right Foot Forward)

Line 26   Step Forward Long Kiai (Left Foot Forward)

Step 9

Line 27   Pivot on Front Foot, 90 Degree Turn Right Low Block (Blocking Left) (Left Foot Forward)

Line 28   Step Forward Diagonal Down (Right to Left) Kiai (Right Foot Forward)

Step 10

Line 29   Step Back Clean the Blade (Left Foot Forward)

Step 11

Line 30        Stepping Forward to Feet Together While Sheathing Sword