Suriage

(brushing upwards)

Suriage is an action peculiar to counter techniques and is shown as Men-suriage-men in plates 140 and 141. The defending blade thrusts forward and slides up the attacking blade, from Tsuba-moto to Dage-kibu. Whereas the Harai is a clash, the Suriage is a soft, sliding action, particularly useful against a thrust, or thrusting cut. After brushing the attack aside the defending blade will be close to the Jodan position and a reply stroke is easily made.

Plates 142 and 143 show a variation of Men-suriage-do in which the blade is drawn back to the defender's left shoulder to facilitate a reply to the Do, in this case Nuki-do.