Thread:Saris Khan/@comment-24384232-20141211031559/@comment-136273-20141211114037

In regard to my own take on Zanjutsu:
 * Development: The goal of a combat style (or rather "form" in this particular case) is to overcome the opposition. But that's a very general approach. The real question is: how do you achieve that? Chūyōdō is the versatile approach of a jack-of-all-trades: you've got the moves for every occasion. However, they are fairly simple slashes and jabs, a number of basic defensive stances, etc, etc. It also relies on other Zankensoki skills to plug some holes and make the combat style more varied. Naturally, not everyone wants to train those as well. This is the point where the other forms began emerging. Each of the five derivative forms has a specific approach in mind, whether you want to outlast the opponent in the least violent way possible, work around their nigh impenetrable defences by performing wide slashes that inflict pinprick wounds on and on and on, or you're so knowledgeable and experienced that you can predict and stimulate specific responses to exploit them. Each form is not just a set of specialised techniques, but a combat philosophy as well.
 * Usage: There is the principle of  in Japanese martial arts. Basically, you perform a sequence of moves throughout combat rather than waste time on deliberating upon every single one. Nevertheless, kata encourages a flexible approach; action and reaction + anticipation are essential elements. One way to view this is to think that the practitioner is a machine with a programmed set of responses. It is intended to execute a sequence, but not in a rigid manner no matter what. You perform a move, the enemy reacts, you react to their reaction, time and again. Training sessions include not only particular techniques, but sequences as well. Ideally, you grow so accustomed that your delivery is more a matter of "guided" reflex than a constant conscious mental effort.
 * Techniques: Forms answer the question of how do you overcome your opposition. Techniques answer the question how exactly do you do that. Combat philosophy and its execution. Strategy and tactics. In short, you consider what is the most efficient approach to achieve a very specific goal in the context of a form. You want to defend from an enemy indefinitely? Furiko allows you to easily protect most of your body by using the sword like a joystick, with little effort required. The enemy is stronger and you need to bring them down to your level? Haridesasu can cut a vital tendon or blood vessel, so their performance suffers. You know that the most logical quick response to a charge is raising one's guard? Good, use a Shunpo clone to perform the easily blockable charge whilst the real you strikes from the exposed side. Techniques are specific expressions of a form, numerous distinct moves from which you can pick the best one depending on the circumstances.