Sashi-aiSashi-ai is a classical martial-arts term meaning “mutual thrusting” or “mutual engagement,” where two practitioners extend or attack simultaneously, meeting in a contest of timing and initiative. More 差合 is a classical budō and kenjutsu term that generally means mutual thrusting or simultaneous attacking. In kenjutsu, it describes a situation where both swordsmen initiate a thrust or cut at the same moment, resulting in: a crossing of blades; a double-attack scenario; a mutual-entry; a contest of timing and spirit (kiai). It often appears in descriptions of kata where the timing is very tight.
Sashi-aiSashi-ai is a classical martial-arts term meaning “mutual thrusting” or “mutual engagement,” where two practitioners extend or attack simultaneously, meeting in a contest of timing and initiative. More can describe a high-level exchange where both practitioners enter simultaneously and attempt to dominate the center line. This contest of initiative and timing is common in: Itto-ryu timing concepts; Katori Shinto-ryu paired kata; Yagyu Shinkage-ryu mutual initiative drills; classical spear (yari) kata; and some jō kata where both sides thrust at the same instant.
Sashi-Ai vs Ai-Uchi
Sashi-aiSashi-ai is a classical martial-arts term meaning “mutual thrusting” or “mutual engagement,” where two practitioners extend or attack simultaneously, meeting in a contest of timing and initiative. More (差し合い) and ai-uchiAi-uchi is a mutual strike where both combatants hit each other—often fatally. Considered a strategic failure in classical swordsmanship. More (相打ち / 相撃ち) are not the same thing even though both involve simultaneous actions.
Ai-uchiAi-uchi is a mutual strike where both combatants hit each other—often fatally. Considered a strategic failure in classical swordsmanship. More 相打ち / 相撃ち means mutual striking or striking each other, often in a situation where both combatants strike and both are hit, often fatally. In koryū kenjutsu, it is considered a failure of strategy. The ideal is always to survive while cutting the opponent. Many densho explicitly warn against ai-uchiAi-uchi is a mutual strike where both combatants hit each other—often fatally. Considered a strategic failure in classical swordsmanship. More as a last resort or a dishonorable exchange. Some ryuha teach how to avoid ai-uchiAi-uchi is a mutual strike where both combatants hit each other—often fatally. Considered a strategic failure in classical swordsmanship. More at all costs.
In kendo, ai-uchiAi-uchi is a mutual strike where both combatants hit each other—often fatally. Considered a strategic failure in classical swordsmanship. More means to both attack simultaneously and both “score” at the same instant (usually no point is awarded; it is considered neutral). It’s a double kill or a mutual hit. Both lose.
Sashi-aiSashi-ai is a classical martial-arts term meaning “mutual thrusting” or “mutual engagement,” where two practitioners extend or attack simultaneously, meeting in a contest of timing and initiative. More (差し合い / 差合) refers to a situation where both sides extend, thrust, or enter at the same moment, but the outcome is not yet determined. Sashi-aiSashi-ai is a classical martial-arts term meaning “mutual thrusting” or “mutual engagement,” where two practitioners extend or attack simultaneously, meeting in a contest of timing and initiative. More is not necessarily lethal — it describes the engagement, not the consequence. Conceptually, one will win the exchange. This term appears more in koryū paired kata and spear work.
So, with ai-uchiAi-uchi is a mutual strike where both combatants hit each other—often fatally. Considered a strategic failure in classical swordsmanship. More, both cut each other (double-kill). The outcome is decisive and negative. In sashi-aiSashi-ai is a classical martial-arts term meaning “mutual thrusting” or “mutual engagement,” where two practitioners extend or attack simultaneously, meeting in a contest of timing and initiative. More, both enter simultaneously. The outcome is undetermined, tactical, and part of kata timing.
| Concept | AI-UCHIAi-uchi is a mutual strike where both combatants hit each other—often fatally. Considered a strategic failure in classical swordsmanship. More (相打ち) | SASHI-AISashi-ai is a classical martial-arts term meaning “mutual thrusting” or “mutual engagement,” where two practitioners extend or attack simultaneously, meeting in a contest of timing and initiative. More (差し合い) |
|---|---|---|
| Literal meaning | mutual striking | mutual entering/extending |
| Action | both strike, both land | both initiate attack at same moment |
| Outcome | both die / both score | outcome depends on timing and skill |
| Judged as | mistake or undesirable | advanced timing scenario |
| Found in | kenjutsu, kendo | koryū kenjutsu, yari, jōdō |
| Spirit | desperation, failure | sen (initiative) contest |
Relationship to “Sen” (Initiative Timing)
Ai-uchiAi-uchi is a mutual strike where both combatants hit each other—often fatally. Considered a strategic failure in classical swordsmanship. More occurs when neither controls timing. It is “no-sen,” a failure of initiative. Sashi-aiSashi-ai is a classical martial-arts term meaning “mutual thrusting” or “mutual engagement,” where two practitioners extend or attack simultaneously, meeting in a contest of timing and initiative. More occurs within sen-no-sen or go-no-sen: one may seize initiative at the exact moment of mutual entry; one cuts into the opponent’s attack; one dominates center while both extend. It is a training scenario, not a fatal result.
