Nihon No Kenjutsu

[ZealUK]

There is a series of two magazine format books available in Japan called 'Nihon No Kenjutsu'. These two books serve as a good rudimentary introduction to koryu bujutsu. These books are both heavily picture based, and lightly cover the history of each ryu in question.

I recently translated (read loosely interpreted - very heavy on the electronic dictionary) the first chapter about Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu because I have lots of free time at the moment.

I thought I'd put it up here, as there are rarely any informative posts about koryu here anymore.

Anyone who reads Japanese please let me know your honest critique of my translation attempts if you own the original book - I'm sure it has oversights and errors.

Mods - If this violates copyright or something please feel free to delete the thread.

[ZealUK]

Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu


The way of the sword transmitted for over 600 years.

Shinto Ryu is among the original kenjutsu ryuha of Japan. Even through peacetime the mysterious sword of Shinto Ryu has survived.

Powerful, tight, and then fast, this is the way of a koryu kenjutsu dojo.

On the peaceful Shimosa plateau, as the wind gently blows through the fields one might not think that this place was once the home of an important part of Japanese history. 600 years ago on this very ground, the god of war Futsunishi Okami, enshrined at Katori Jingu, gave Japan its oldest surviving koryu kenjutsu Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu. The mysterious sword of Shinto Ryu has been passed down through the ages, and still thrives today.

The present 20th generation headmaster Iizasa Yasuyada Soke and Otake Risuke Shihan currently teach this system. Since Japan has been more and more opened to the West, a strong flood of students from not only Japan, but also foreign countries has entered the school. For over 600 years people have been trying to understand the deep principles of Shinto Ryu.

The founder, Iizasa Choisai was born in 1387 (the 4th year of Genchu) at Iizasa-mura in present day Chiba prefecture. He was known to be particularly skilled with the sword and spear, and thus became a military commander for the Chiba family. He participated in many successful battles, however the Chiba clan eventually fell from power, and Choisai returned to the fields of Iizasa-mura.

Time passed by until at just over the age of 60, Choisai had a revelation and retired to Katori Jingu. There he ritually purified his heart and mind, and practiced his martial skills for 1000 days. Despite encountering much difficulty, it is said that he became one with the gods and learned from them mysterious techniques with which to become undefeatable.

Because this teaching came form the god Futsunushi, Choisai adopted the name Tenshinsho-den, furthermore adding the place Katori, and “way of the gods” thus becoming Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu. In addition to Kage Ryu and Nen Ryu, we have the three great original ryu from which many different styles spread.*

Choisai taught many swordsmen who opted to visit him, including the founder of Shinkage Ryu, Kamiidzumi Hidetsuna, Tsukahara Bokuden, and Matsumoto Masamoto of Kashima Shinryu.**

Many great people came to learn from Choisai. Among others the Hozoin Ryu spear (Musashi later fought a duel with Hozoin Ryu students), the Jigen Ryu of Satsuma, and the Tennen Rishin Ryu of the Shinsengumi all trace their lineages back to Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu.

In the Sengoku Jidai many different ryu had systems of sword, iai, yari, naginata, bo, shuriken, military strategy, grappling in armour, and jujutsu (all elements of what was called ‘bugei juhappan’ – 18 martial arts), however the basic element of all these systems was the sword.

Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu kenjutsu includes the armoured techniques of the Omote no Tachi and the unarmoured techniques of the Gogyo no Tachi. Each of these kata are very long, very fast, and use many complicated movements of both the sword and the body as well as strong hitting together of bokuto. That power and impetuous can amaze onlookers. Having said this we may raise some important questions. We might ask why the kata are so long and fast. The reasoning behind this is that on the battlefield one requires stamina and the ability to assert aggression in the blink of an eye.

Even a person who knows much about swordsmanship will not be able to interpret the true meaning of the kata simply by watching. If someone applied the techniques as they are in a real fight using shinken, they would soon be locked up with the opponent and would lose. The real idea is to enter into an opponents space and to hit him before he is able to do anything. Otake Shihan has many such interesting insights into Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu.

The truth is that the real interpretation of kata is different form its appearance. Techniques were hidden inside kata so that people of other schools could not interpret the full meaning of techniques should they observe someone practicing. When bokuto hit against each other they often replace a vulnerable target which would be struck when performing the true technique.

These ‘hidden’ techniques are skills to be acquired through regular and repeated practice of the kata. At one time the higher level teachings of the curriculum were not allowed to be seen or discussed by junior members of the ryu.

The real application of techniques should be performed with ‘kuzushi’.

In the regular practice of Omoto no Tachi for example one might strike from jodan, but would hit the partners bokuto and stop, however the real waza with kuzushi would cut in a similar way to nuki-do, hitting the opponents abdomen. One must also make use of the defensive weaknesses of the opponent and gaps in his armour. Lower the body, but move the hips freely and use the hara to generate power (kasa zuri – making an impression in the grass?) and as if entangling the opponent in a rope, cut and stab into the exposed areas between the armour. Following this the sword is raised up again and cuts to kote.

Japanese armour consists of strong iron plate and chain mail mainly protecting the front of the body, leaving the rear vulnerable and exposed. In addition the areas around the wrist and neck can be exploited in order to cut into the opponent’s arteries.

Kata must be hammered into the body’s muscle memory, and one must know how to manipulate another body with kuzushi. This is described as being like ‘melting together’. Only when this can be done every time perfectly can the reality of the kata be revealed.

When the Omote no Tachi kata is performed with kuzushi it is completed in the blink of an eye. To the observer, the intent and focus of experienced practitioners sends shivers up the spine. One might consider the iai section of this school, where one technique includes a large leap into the air. That surprise leaping combined with a powerful cutting motion is, with a shinken, a sight to behold.

When we think of the constant instability and backstabbing of the Sengoku period, with allies and enemies constantly changing sides we might appreciate the lethality of the techniques of Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu. Considering this, Otake Shihan has some surprising insights.

Over 600 years almost none of the students of Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu have been involved in fighting, struggles, or killed in combat. Choisai himself lived a long natural life, until he died of natural causes at the age of 102.

“The way of Shinto Ryu is to win without drawing the sword”
(Tachi o nukazu hito ni katsu koto shinto ryu no konryu nari)

This is the fundamental thought of Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu, and throughout its long history its students have been testament to this ideal.

“The ways of war are also the ways of peace”
(Heiho wa heiho nari)

“First take victory over the opponent, to strike the opponent comes only after this”
(Tekki ni katsu mono o ue toshi, tekki o utsu mono wa kore ni sugu)

This training is preparation in case you should need it. It is not training without reason. Not only should one be able to win in a fight, one should also garner a respect for people.

There is a portrait of Choisai in which he sits gently smiling, holding a fan instead of a sword, perhaps contemplating his desire for peace, but still on guard and able to strike instantaneously.

In rustic Shimosa people say ‘in order to make people feel better, always approach them with a smile – this kindness will soothe people’. Otake Shihan is now 80 years old, but he certainly doesn’t look that age. His movement and caring spirit have kept him looking young. When he grasps a sword his technique is still as quick as lightning.

The students of Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu have developed a spirit of protecting their homelands, and the people that live in them, as well as the culture and teachings of the ryu itself. The spirit of fostering peace between each other has remained for 600 years, and is unchanged to this day.

[ZealUK]

*There are in fact styles of swordsmanship that historically predate Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu, such as the Chujo Ryu (now extinct), and perhaps also Nen Ryu. Undoubtedly there were systems of martial arts that influenced these styles, but whether they were codified into ‘ryu’ is doubtful.

**I translated this bit as if Choisai taught these people directly, but with the exception of Matsumoto Masamoto it appears that the other two swordsmen mentioned were born after Choisai died.

[Bennosuke]

Thank you very much for posting this. I am glad that you took the time to do it, and that you even double checked the statements made by the magazine. It seems like some of it was really over exagerrated to keep the reader's interest, but it was still thouroughly engrossing.

[Fonsz]

Very interesting read thank you. I'm sure that the translation is accurate enough for us amateurs.
There is a portrait of Choisai in which he sits gently smiling, holding a fan instead of a sword, perhaps contemplating his desire for peace, but still on guard and able to strike instantaneously.

If you look at the picture closely you will see that he doesn't hold the fan in a regular way.
Otake Sensei has a theory that he is ready to strike with the fan. To demonstrate this theory he showed a fan which has a hidden blade in it. The way he is holding it was proof of this when he showed how the hidden blade works. Sometimes not everything that you see is what it is.

[ScottUK]

I have both these books - absolutely superb stuff.

Feel free to PM (or post) a translation of the HNIR pages... ;)

[ZealUK]

Just started looking at doing the Kashima Shinto Ryu pages.

I'm a bit busy this week, but I'll try and do the HNIR pages next instead.

Make no mistake my Japanese is still crap so take what I write with a pinch of salt :D

[Lounge]

May I also request the same, either a PM or a post would be awesome :D

[Awooga Guy]

Awooga Guy would like to third that request. Great job Alex :)







That is all.

[Maro]

Great work - it's nice to read something from a good source.

[ben]

Nice work ALex. Looking to join the two green bubble club? ;)

What other ryu are contained in this series?

b

PS - Extremely jealous of the "lots of free time" bit!

[ZealUK]

Hi Ben,

The first book has;

Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu
Kashima Shinto Ryu
Yagyu Shinkage Ryu
Ono Ha Itto Ryu
Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu
Jigen Ryu Hyoho
Yakumaru Jigen Ryu
Shindo Munen Ryu
Tennen Rishin Ryu
Hokushin Itto Ryu

Also a kobudo taikai repot, something about battlefield combat and Yagyu Shingan Ryu, short articles about cutting, a bit about chanbarra, Satsuma koshirae, ryu lineage charts, kenjutsu to kendo, history of the shape of japanese swords, Morishima Tateo interview, and something about young people doing koryu.

Book two has;

Kashima Jikishinkage Ryu
Maniwa Nen Ryu
Bokuden Ryu
Taisha Ryu
Mizuguchi Ha Itto Ryu
Shingyoto Ryu
Kurama Ryu (?)
Sekiguchi Ryu Battojutsu
Kanshin Ryu
Tatsumi Ryu Hyoho

Kobudo taikai report, zen nippon iaido taikai report, zen nippon kendo taikai report, iaibattodo taikai report, in what ways did kenjutsu become kendo article, something about koshirae purchasing, the story of Hokushin Itto Ryu's Shinbukan(?), look at practice in an iai dojo, and starting koryu kenjutsu guide.

I've started on the Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu bit, so I should have that vaguely interpreted soonish.

Anyone want to help me?

[ScottUK]

Anyone want to help me?Sure, if any of it is written in 'dunce'... :D

[GMason]

Hi Alex,

Hope everything is going well.... and hope you have got off your lazy ass and finally done some Kendo instead of all this old fashioned Koryu :-D

Seriously, I know myself and I am pretty sure Gary would be very interested in the Mizuguchi Ha Itto Ryu stuff if you have the time.

[ben]

Hi Alex,

Hope everything is going well.... and hope you have got off your lazy ass and finally done some Kendo instead of all this old fashioned Koryu :-D...

Damn straight! You're around Taniyama right? You could esily head to Minami Keisatsu Budokan for asageiko M, W and F. Do kendo against a BUNCH of hachidans, even 1 kyudan! And not just any hachidans but former Japan captains, World champs, All Japan Senshuken champs, All Japan 8 dan champ, etc, etc...

Getting jealous again... must go to happy place...

b

[ZealUK]

Damn straight! You're around Taniyama right? You could esily head to Minami Keisatsu Budokan for asageiko M, W and F. Do kendo against a BUNCH of hachidans, even 1 kyudan! And not just any hachidans but former Japan captains, World champs, All Japan Senshuken champs, All Japan 8 dan champ, etc, etc...

Getting jealous again... must go to happy place...

b

Hi Ben,

Actually I moved to Yoshino, so the Keisatsu Budokan is about 40 mins away....so far.....hahahaha!

I know I should get round to it, and I will at some point, but this 'old stuff' is taking up most of my time!

If you're ever in town let's have a shochu!

Nice to hear from you Gareth! As I said not much chance for this newfangled kendo business as yet.

I'll take a look at the Mizugichi Ha Itto Ryu page, but don't go trusting my translation attempts. Vague interpretation is better. Could be totally wrong, I need someone who is actually good at Japanese to tell me if its OK or utter crap.

Anyway this is my loose interpretation of the NIR pages (body text only - not pictures).

[ZealUK]

Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu


Among Japanese swordsmen, undoubtedly the most famous is Miyamoto Musashi. In his later years this kensei reached a profound state of ‘kenzen ichi’. From that time until today his tradition lives on as Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu, and is presently being taught in Kokura.

Musashi taught his style of swordsmanship in the later years of his life in the Hosokawa clan fief. During his younger years Musashi intermittently taught a style called Enmei Ryu around Owari, however as he became older he settled as a guest with the Hosokawa clan in Kumamoto, and instructed their bushi in his refined method, Niten Ichi Ryu. Until the modern day, Niten Ichi Ryu has been practiced in accordance with strategic the writings of Go Rin No Sho.

There are many wondrous stories about Miyamoto Musashi, many of which are confused with exaggeration or legend. They will not be discussed in this article. Instead the method of Niten Ichi Ryu will be focussed on.

Practice uses a rather slender bokuto, and uses movements to avoid the opponents strike while attacking at the same time. Thus we see a transition from tranquillity into action in a fraction of a second, swinging the sword powerfully and precisely. Using aggression and various strikes, explosive kiai and hitting with great spirit the idea is to use the same methods as Musashi.

When people hear the name Niten Ichi Ryu, they often think of ‘nito ryu’ or a style that uses two swords. This is, of course due to the fact that using two swords is a large part of Niten Ichi Ryu, however the study of this ryu begins with one sword, and also contains kodachi, bo, jutte, and bukijutsu.

In Go Rin No Sho Musashi writes,

“Bushi wear two swords at their waist, and thus should be able to use two swords at any time”

He doesn’t say,

“always fight with two swords”.

It is important to consider the environment around you, to ‘play it by ear’ according to the situation, and to always consider winning.

Seizing the opportunity

In Niten Ichi Ryu, kata are called ‘seiho’ (methods of impetous / force). The waza of this school are transmitted individually, one by one, so the mind and body can be made use of fully to grasp the raw technique.

The first technique of the tachi seiho is called ‘sassen’. This is the first technique to be learned. Here one should stand with a relaxed posture facing the opponent, and drawing the opponents attack, forcefully thrust your sword with hanmi. Thus the first technique teaches a simple movement with which to defeat the enemy.

Unfortunately simple techniques are by no means simple to perform. A great deal of courage and dexterity is required to execute the technique. The technique is over in an instant.

Should you take up a sword and stand in front of an opponent, you would undoubtedly feel a sense of overriding fear. Feeling this, the opponent will grasp the opportunity to leap forward and cut you down. In sassen, in instant the opponent’s sword comes down, the body opens with hanmi and thrusts the sword into his neck.

You must hold back and wait, and when the time comes, move very quickly. Just before the opponent begins to move, you must grasp that opportunity and move in a flash.

“Grasp the opportunity the opponent gives and move!”*

相手の機前の気を捉えて動く

Aite no kizen no ki o toraete ugoku

This is the vital secret of the teaching of Niten Ichi Ryu.

Once you have studied and understood sassen, it is possible to understand all of the other seiho of Niten Ichi Ryu. With a powerful, intense kiai (裂帛の気合) one should use all of his vitality to win in that instant. This is the reasoning behind and is visible in the techniques of Niten Ichi Ryu.

From a natural stance, you have great flexibility

The modern image of Musashi is one of a man holding a sword in each hand. He stands relaxed holding a daisho, the tips of his swords pointing down, hands loosely by his sides, right foot a little forward. This position is Niten Ichi Ryu ‘nito no mugamae’. From here the swords are raised out and upwards to take nito chudan no kamae. The method is the same as the starting position for the first tachi seiho technique, sassen. In this case the sword is held in the right hand, tip facing down, standing in a relaxed manner while waiting for the opponent to move into attack. From this position the sword can be moved into positions such as chudan no kamae, hasso no kamae, mojigamae, haritsuke no kamae, or any other position.

The tachi seiho contains the essence of kenjutsu

The method behind Niten Ichi Ryu can be seen in the tachi seiho. In particular it is apparent in the first technique, sassen. The practice is to take the initiative a fraction of a second before the opponent moves. This is called “sensen no sen”. Avoiding the opponent and attacking in return using sensen no sen is very difficult.

The point when the opponent thinks about initiating an attack is the time to strike. If you act once the opponent has moved it is already too late.
Iwami Soke explains,

“While the opponent is moving, you can’t give him the runaround, and you certainly can’t dodge. While attacking there is a very large opening. You must take advantage of this opening and use it to win. This is the original teaching of this ryu.”

This method is the same throughout the rest of the seiho.

Niten Ichi Ryu has 12 tachi seiho techniques in total, but it appears that since Musashi’s time the essence of these techniques has been taken from various sources. For example in mojigamae, in which the sword is held at an angle, then as the opponent attacks presses down on his sword holding it in place seems familiar to Nen Ryu. Likewise the twisting body in tora-buri is similar to Shinkage Ryu.**

[ZealUK]

Musashi’s powerful nito seiho

The real spirit of Musashi is found in the nito seiho. Stifle the opponent with your spirit, and relentlessly attack him.

The first fundamental (おもて次第第一の事)

When in front of an opponent, face him directly and take nito chudan no kamae. Make yourself large and destroy the opponent with your spirit. The opponent will be overwhelmed and will feel pressured to cut at you. When he does this, suppress his sword with the kodachi in your left hand, and cut him forcefully with the sword in your right hand. After blocking or even parrying the opponent’s sword with the kodachi you have to cut within the correct ma-ai, using the sword to generate enough power to kill.

The technique Musashi used intimidated and totally overpowered the opponent. We may wish to attain this ability through training, however to practice Niten Ichi Ryu like this shugyo is an overriding factor.

Regarding the path of Niten Ichi Ryu until the present, Iwami Soke has the following to say;

“In inheriting this path, we realise that we owe a great deal to the founder for passing down these techniques and teachings. In the modern era our mission is to preserve and practice these techniques and teachings unchanged. We must keep Musashi sensei’s teaching alive in this world through our own hard practice.”

Musashi’s technique and philosophy have been brought to us in the present day by Niten Ichi Ryu.

[ZealUK]

* This seems to mean sieze the weakness in the opponents spirit and move, but I couldn't think of a good way to express it. Seems like its a very important part of sassen, so take from this what you will.

**This is the best I could do with this bit. Didn't understand it very well to be honest. Not sure if this is the authors thought or that of Soke. It's not quoted.

Well that was my attempt. Any feedback, good or bad, more than welcome.

[ScottUK]

Outstanding. Thanks for the fine effort... :D

[Hisham]

Great read, thank you for sharing, wanted to use the rep feature but it seems i have to add to the rep of others before i can do so.

PS:Hope you can find more time to translate some of the others, especially those which aren't that "famous"

[Lounge]

Thank you, I have added to your rep, if I could add again I would.

[Awooga Guy]

Awesome post. Well done Alex :)







That is all.

[Nichiren]

Nice job thanks alot its great reading keep up the good work :)

[ben]

Hi Ben,

Actually I moved to Yoshino, so the Keisatsu Budokan is about 40 mins away....so far.....hahahaha!...

Easily solved. Sueno Eiji sensei lives in Yoshino too. Ring him and see if he'll give you a lift! :P

b

[ZealUK]

Easily solved. Sueno Eiji sensei lives in Yoshino too. Ring him and see if he'll give you a lift! :P

b

From a quick google search it seems he is hachidan kyoshi and won the All Japan Champs in 1979. If you have his contact details PM them over to me and I'll give him a ring!

[ben]

PM sent. Sueno sensei also won the inaugural All Japan 8-dan c'ships a few years back. I think KW have it as a download.

b

[ManyRoses]

Thank you for taking the time and posting this. As I posted in 'training' (the wrong place, I know) I am very interested in this art. A good read. I look foreward to the other ryu (not to push, not to push).:wink:

[ZealUK]

Another crappy interpretation from me....

Japanese speakers can play spot the difference if the own the original book.

Kashima Shinto Ryu

“War is from the East county”

In the East of Japan, two famous sites – Kashima, and in Shimosa, Katori have produced many famous warriors. Kashima is the home of the sword style from which innumerable other styles sprang forth – Kashima no ken. The Yoshikawa family, serving at Kashima Jingu have brought the practice of Kashima Shinto Ryu up to the present day. This is the sword style of the legendary Tsukahara Bokuden.

There are not many people who don’t know the stories of Mutekatsu Ryu (winning with no hands) and the battle with a pot lid. Certainly Jidai Geki fans will recognize them. Bokuden has become a very famous figure in Japanese martial arts. His method of kenjutsu is still practiced at Kashima. Bokudens original family – the Yoshikawa clan, received transmission in the Kashima no ken.

The Yoshikawa family had become more and more involved with the traditional role of maintaining the oracle of Kashima Jingu. At this time they also transmitted the Kashima Uekoryu and Chukoryu schools of kenjutsu. Bokuden was adopted into another powerful family from the Kashima region, the Tsukahara clan. His adoptive father, Tsukahara Yasumiki was a leading student of Iizasa Choisai of the Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu. From his original family he learned the Kashima no tachi, and from his adoptive family he learned the flowing sword (ichi nagashi) of Katori Shinto Ryu. The style that he created from these teachings became the Kashima Shinto Ryu.

The system of Kashima no tachi

Since the ancient Nara period, defenders against the states of Western Japan have flocked to Kashima Jingu. Those defenders stationed at Kashima were taught martial arts. The sword they learned was the Kashima no ken.

It is said that the Kashima no ken has its roots in a Shinto purification ritual. Even today it is possible to see this technique in the Kashima Shinto Ryu Harai no Tachi. In the Kashima Uekoryu, the transmission of the Harai no Tachi was performed in accordance with the chanting of Shinto prayers. This technique was not transmitted via the Chukoryu.

In modern times the three main techniques taught in Kashima Shinto Ryu are as follows; Omote no Tachi, Chu-Gokui, Kojouokuijikka no Tachi. Aside from this the Tono Mono Tachi, naginatajutsu, bojutsu, and the Harai Tachi are also learned.

The very first thing to be learned are the 12 kumitachi of the Omote no Tachi. Bokuto are used to practice these fairly long kumitachi patterns. For the Chugokui level the following kata are practiced; Shichijyou no Tachi (7 forms), Kasumi no Tachi (7 forms), Ma no Tachi (3 forms). For these kata fukuroshinai or habikito are used.

The Kojouokuijikka no Tachi is the innermost level of the school, and thus shinken are used to practice these kata. The Jikka no Tachi contains slightly modified versions of the Omote no Tachi set. Thus from the beginner to the most profound level the meaning of the waza is gradually revealed. The importance of the Omote no Tachi is therefore visible to those who understand the profound level.

Koden no Kenjutsu

Kashima Shinto Ryu certainly has the feel of one of the oldest kenjutsu ryu This is reflected by the movement and kamae employed. In seigan no kamae, the kensen is particularly high, with the monouchi being around the height of the eyes. The legs are bent and wide apart, with the feet forming a V shape. Aites feet should only be a distance of 3 shaku (just over a meter) from your own. It is from this extremely close ma-ai that kumitachi is performed. The kumitachi of Kashima Shinto Ryu use a great deal of turning the body to the left and right, and deflections with the sword (ukenagashi) – this is called Kasumi.

The sword and the body must be used as one in order to entangle and cut down the opponent (baku ni tomeru). In this instance you must kill the opponent in order to win.

The sword moves in a large furikaburi movement, which some think is reminiscent of Shintos Misogi Harai. We can also see a great deal of one handed cutting, low postures, and cuts aimed at such openings as the throat, underside of the wrists, arteries of the neck, and the torso. There are many such waza making use of these openings. This is certainly a style of kenjutsu that deals with armoured opponents, as seen in the Sengoku Jidai.

The ryu uses the kiai Ya! Ei! Ha! and To! Each of these sounds has a specific meaning. Ya! for example should be projected like shooting an arrow. (The Japanese word for arrow is ya). We can see in these kiai the feeling of the Shinto influence upon the school.

[ZealUK]

Okui no Shuseki – Omote no Tachi

It is said of the Omote no Tachi that one should give all of the body, the sword is superficial, and always be watchful of the mind. The teaching is to expose ones body to the enemy, tempting the attack, then, as he moves answer his attack in order to win. One should assertively assess the opponent before he moves, then flowingly following his movement, fix to his sword, and win. That being said, one must think as if to receive the opponents attack and then counter, but to only wait for the opponents sword is insufficient. You need to make that opportunity into one in which you can cut. At this time the mind is always flustered.

It is said that the body is waiting for the enemy to attack, the mind is absorbed in trying to cut first, the enemy is moving while all this is going on, and you still need to move faster than the enemy, receive his sword and apply an effective counterattack. With this in mind, the Omote no Tachi teaches slow and correct movement. In these important kata the movement of the sword and body is refined.

In the first technique, Hitotsu no Tachi (Ichi no Tachi) the cut is made to the underside of the opponents wrist, and the left leg shifts behind the right in a turn of the body. We can see this kind of movement often, right up to the profound level.


That isn't the entire text, there's a little bit about Kage no Tachi I still need to do.

Heres a video of the ryu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PvEegZ1XAE

[Hisham]

What were they using at the 2:30 min of the clip, is that somekind of specific koryu shinay or is it a boken?

Thanks again for taking the time to update the page.

[Hisham]

Sorry for the double post but i couldn't correct a small error in this sentence:" Thanks again for taking the time to update the page."
Thanks again for taking the time to update the thread.

[ZealUK]

Hi,

Those are fukuro shinai. Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, Kashima Shinryu and Kashima Jikishinkage Ryu use them among others.

[ScottUK]

Any ideas to why the padded tsuba?

[ZealUK]

Not sure about the tsuba. Maybe because it matches?

I'll have a look at the pictures in the article after the next time I get some sleep.

[Kenshi]

Any ideas to why the padded tsuba?

no idea about kashima shinryu, but ive been reduced to bleeding knuckles when using a fukuro shinai (as well as bruised legs and arms)... so that might be an indication why.

of-course, maybe its to make it more sword like, heh heh.

ive seen shinai and bukuto with bigger padded tsubas than these...

[Saitama Steve]

Padded tsuba allow for practice in tsuba zeriai without breaking each other's fingers. This is why you never put your right index finger around the fuchigane. A lot of schools do this.

Kashima Shin-ryu do quite a bit of grappling in their techniques that involve tsubazeriai. If they used large wooden tsuba ala Itto-ryu variants or Muhi Muteki-ryu, practicioners fingers would be snapping like twigs every keiko.

[ScottUK]

Aha cheers...