1. Prior to the strike, the sword drops down to "touch the spine" - I really don't understand this, and I think it is time to consult Flemming Sensei. I'll just have to organize my thoughts so I know what question I'm asking.
2. The video is shot from an angle, which means we can't see the movements back and forth off the line of attack, and we can't see the contention of the two participants for the centerline.  That is a great pity.
3. I love the fluidity of this technique; the second iteration in particular flows from one technique to the next. Wow. Just wow.  Difficult to imagine the path from where I am now to that kind of flow.  (Let me pause and consider what Richard feels like dropping back to our level.)

1. Tiny picture of the Kumitachi - this site has them broken out to study in isolation, but I don't think the size of the picture will help me to learn.
2. Kumi-tachi 1-5 - Looking only at #1, this doesn't begin the same as we've been practicing - the first cut is a simple shomen; we've been starting with a cut that looks kind of like aiki-ken #3.
   
3. Saito Kumitachi - I think all the same movements are there, but I'm having trouble following. In particular I simply can't see the subtlety of the final cut.
   
4. TAKN de Quiros Sensei is one of Saito Sensei's students, and the relationship is obvious.  Many of the same habits that I find confusing from Saito Sesei.  (E.g. the vertical sword prior to cut, and the horizontal finish).  Once again the exercise begins with a simple shomen cut rather than the waki cut.