Hirazuki

Hirazuki (水平突き, Hiratsuki; literally "Horizontal Thrust") is a Kendō technique.

Overview
Though a basic technique with a simple purpose, the Hirazuki is renowned as a technique that is taught when one learns the basics of swordsmanship but only a true master of the sword can ever truly utilize Hirazuki to its highest level. The user typically starts by entering a stance in which they hold the sword hilt with both hands, standing with their shoulders facing ninety degrees away from the intended target, with the sword's edge held away from them, pointing in the same direction as their shoulders, and the tip pointing toward the target. The Hirazuki is conducted as a charging thrust technique in which the user's strength and weight are crucial factors in determining its resultant force, aiming to strike down whatever is within its path. What makes the Hirazuki so powerful is that, unlike a normal thrust technique which depends solely on the movement of the shoulders, the Hirazuki is a technique which depends upon the twisting of the waist to generate an even greater torque which yields a significantly greater thrust.

Those that have mastered Hirazuki can conduct the attack by holding the sword with only a single hand. It is at this point that they understand that Hirazuki is actually the foundation for an entire sword style that can be centered around it serving as the "front line of attack". Even if the attack is blocked, one can easily adjust their sword angle and body movement to work around it and deliver a decisive second blow. Should the thrust be dodged, one can adjust the thrust into a slash which takes advantage of the Hirazuki's momentum to deliver a powerful follow-up strike.

Behind the Scenes

 * Toshizō Hijikata of the Shinsengumi is accredited with the real creation of this technique.