Is Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu an actual style? If it is, then is it still taught? (Yes, I'm one of those "Rurouni Kenshin" manga fans. Please don't shun me!)
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Is Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu an actual style? If it is, then is it still taught? (Yes, I'm one of those "Rurouni Kenshin" manga fans. Please don't shun me!)
Theres been like 897234978234078352384735733479 threads on this topic.
Found this Article online. Looks intresting...
http://articles.theotaku.com/view.ph...etrieve&id=481
Rurouni Kenshin is a popular historical fiction anime, but many of the characters and events really existed. The whole time period, the Meiji Era, were in the mid 1800’s after the revolution overthrowing the old system of society. Western cultures began to seep in much to the dismay of some traditionalists. Also, many characters have existed or were based on historical figures although their true story might be a little different.
Probably the character in Rurouni Kenshin that is most accurately portrayed compared to his historical counterpart is Hajime Saitou. He lived from 1844-1915 and was the captain of the third unit of the Shinsengumi, just like in the show. It was reported he was a skilled swordsman excelling in a left handed thrust. This however was not the Gatotsu. After the chaos of the revolution, he joined the police force under the alias of Goro Fujita. This alias and occupation is mirrored in the anime as well. Because of his sword skill he was also given special permission to wield a katana versus the sabers the police force used. The early history of his life is slightly distorted, it was never confirmed if he was a son of a ronin or he if had killed someone (possibly by accident) and then joined the army in Kyoto. It is said he was introverted and mysterious, even dubbed a sort of executioner since he assassinated many corrupt members of his own group and the police force.
The protaganist, Himura Kenshin/Shinta is a shadow of Gensai Kawakami. Kawakami was an assassin for the Choushu clan during the revolution and was said to be the most terrible of the 4 great assassins. There were mentions on how he could have been mistaken as a girl at first glance, but descriptions of his personality said otherwise. He was cold and calculating, famous for assassinating Kuma Shozan in broad daylight. His sword style was Furanui of kenjutsu, which used lightning fast movements like the Hiten Mitsurugi style. Gensai Kawakami met his end in 1871when his ideals clashed with the Meiji government and he was executed on false charges.
Another character with a prominent historical background is Makoto Shishio, or Serizawa Kamo. He was educated in swordsmanship since he was young and generally carried a bad name. In 1860 he joined the Tengo-to and rose to be a main member. The Tengu-to was an extremist group against foreigners, they followed the ideal ‘sonno joi’ which meant ‘revere the emperor and expel the foreigners’. However, the group was disbanded and jailed when power ties shifted. Later on, Kamo was released from jail and then went on to become one of the founders for the Shinsengumi, the group who opposed the revolutionists. He was known for his bad temper and cruel punishments. One time while he was part of the Tengu-to he found out 3 lower members had broken the rules and personally beheaded them. This cruelty was manifested in Shishio’s actions and personality.
Last but not least, is the historical double of Sojirou Seta, one of Shishio’s men. Souji Okita was a kenjutsu prodigy, becoming an instructor at age 18. He was considered one of the strongest of the Shinsengumi along with Hajime Saito and Nagakura Shinpachi. He died of tuberculosis at age 25 in a hospital in Edo. The anime doesn’t quite do his historical counterpart justice, as the protagonist of Peacemaker Kurogane there is far more detail there.
So there you have it. It’s fascinating to see the historical counterparts of characters in Rurouni Kenshin. The contrasts between the fictional face and the person who really existed make excellent food for thought.
A liner note to that is that that article was a bit off in that Okita was portrayed as himself in the OVA trust and betrayel
noooooooo. the question from hell arises again.
Tim
Don't worry! Also of us here got into this becuse of that series! Besides we are all family here! ^o^Quote:
Originally Posted by Rurouni_Richard
you must gather your chakra first, then form the correct signs in sequence.... oh wait, sorry wrong series.
Just a friendly warning that you're probably going to get a lot of flak for this. You have no idea how many people have asked this question. My recommendation is to make a search for Hittenmitsugi-ryu, read them, and just use the search in general to see if your question has already been answered. Don't take any comments negatively, it's just we've had a few too many Otaku ask us this before.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rurouni_Richard
i doubt that hiten mitsurigui is an actual style. The manga (or anime) has very, very loose historical ties in terms of characters, and some of the moves are based off real (just extremely exaggerated), but thats as far as it goes. Even if it ever did exist, i seriously doubt that it would be taught today.
in short the Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu as well as Kenshin are both Fictional representations of Gensai Kawakami and his own style Furanui Kenjutsu which is said to have died when he was executed by the Meiji Governmant. Nothing supernatural or godlike about it, simply a very fast hitokiri style which were common in that age.
There is a Hiten Mitsurugi style! Ive seen someone move so fast and jump so high that he can stand on your sword without you knowing it before you can say MEN! He says he trains by jumping over mountains and racing automobiles. Gosh I wish i knew how to fight like him.
Actually the question from hell for me is "do we play or practice kendo?" Gets my goat everytime, yet everytime I feel the need to reply!Quote:
Originally Posted by samurai999
i wonder how many people started kendo to "learn the secrets of hiten mitsurigi"...no offense intended...just a rhetorical question
You know what? I'm gonna start teaching Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu at my secret dojo. There is so many people who wanna learn it, I could make a sodding fortune. Anyone got any tapes they can lend me so I can formulate a curriculum?
wow, i didnt know people would even think that was a real ryu. :confused2
you must not know allota anime fans :)Quote:
wow, i didnt know people would even think that was a real ryu.
I've had Anime obsessed people I know who know I train Kenjutsu come up and tell me and actually try and debate technique with me. I usually hand them a shinai and say "show me".
A couple whelts on the upper arms later they usually bow out of the debate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldenShinai
i love your signature
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Originally Posted by 2SwordStyle
I love anime!
I like Anime too, just that some people annoy me because they think they can learn the sword just by watching it.
Hmm... the "question from hell"? Sorry about that. You see, I'm rather naive about everything right now. I have a very strong passion to learn the art of japanese swordsmanship, and seem to be getting a little ahead of myself. I suppose I should first learn the basic basics before getting into such(obviously) deep discussions about things I have no idea about. I'm so horribly lost. I want to learn so much, so fast, and yet I have no nearby schools to attend, and so, I've resorted to learning everything I need online. Could somebody give me a glossary of terms, or something? That would be wonderful!
Don't be too hard on yourself. It's just that it's such an overdone question is all. But, what I do have to say, if the AUSKF website is up to date, I'm sorry to say that there aren't any AUSKF affiliated dojos in your state. I'm not sure about iaido, though, so you could always check that out. As for a glossary, try Shred Lords kendo wiki.
"The question from hell arises again?" lol. How many times has this come up before? I did a search and didn't find much....
ah...i see. Now i get why people call it "the question from hell" lol. Thanks for the forum links.
One day in the local mall, I actually met a young man who claimed to be a "samurai master" and to make it worse, he was a master of Hiten-mitsurugi batto jutsu"
I informed him I held a ni-dan in Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu and he kinda looked all weird and said.. "whats that?" I said well, its kinda like Batto.
I told him we had a dojo. Hopeing against hope that he would come. Would learn Iai, and abandon his fantasy nonsense.
his immediate reply was.. "if I come, .. .. can I duel you.. .. I have a hard time finding anyone to duel these days."
the rest of the conversation was straight out of some psychology manuel I swear.
The scary thing was, I thought I would break through his nonsense by asking the simplest question. "whos your teacher" But he had an immediate answer.
Two things scare me. #1 this knuckle head telling people that his style is real. And #2 the far worse thought, some idiot trained him and told him that it WAS real.
oh man....that bad, huh? how old was the kid? I know a lot of middle school..even high school kids buy that stuff...
Wow, that scares me alot!
wow, that makes me want to laugh/ cry
p.s. you're a Nidan! that's so cool, sorry for gawking
We do a yearly iai/jodo/kendo demo at SENI, a martial arts expo and get tons of these guys buying Highlander swords and asking where they can learn to use them... :D
We get allot of those people come into our class. They mostly get attracted on nights when we have Iaijutsu and Bamboo/Goza mat cutting. Since we practice in a gym we tend to draw spectators.Quote:
One day in the local mall, I actually met a young man who claimed to be a "samurai master" and to make it worse, he was a master of Hiten-mitsurugi batto jutsu"
Every single time one of these guys comes in they leave after 1 or 2 classes. I'd have to say that maybe 1 out of every 20 people that come in to try a class end up leaving. Training in our dojo is intense.
Hi 2Sword,
Off-topic, but what style of iai have you incorporated into your sword arts class?
Regards,
I honestly don't know the spacific name, It's just Iaijutsu as far as I know. I can ask Sensei when I see him tomorrow.
I've just started doing 2 sword draw and cut with Live Katana and Wakazashi. I gotta tell ya it's nearve wracking drawing 2 live swords fast. Was doing it with 1 blade for a long time before Sensei let me put the Wakazashi in my Obi. Even then he had me start with live Katana and wooden Wakazashi for quite a while before I got a live Wakazashi on me.
Currently practicing with Paul chen Practical Plus Katana and Wakazashi.
Pretty interested in your Sensei's answer two.
As a Kenshin fan, I'm not too interested in the techniques of Hiten Mitsurugi (because they're rediculous), but I like the philosphy behind the style. If you want to learn the philosophy behind Hiten Mitsurugi, and watch some of the best Anime in the process, check out the OVA series Samurai X. I think the OVA kills the regular anime. Samurai X is three DVDs, I bought the box set for like $45.
Thanks, but no thanks. I think I'll go practice and attempt to learn the philosophy of real sword arts instead. :)Quote:
If you want to learn the philosophy behind Hiten Mitsurugi, and watch some of the best Anime in the process, check out the OVA series Samurai X.
I have no qualms with ppl who enjoy watching anime as I myself enjoy watching too. (Intial D and Samurai Champloo at the moment) but when ppl try to blur the lines btwn anime (fiction) and reality is when I say ppl have gone a bit far..
Tim
Most of these historical based anime's don't stray too far from actual swordsmanship in the philosophy department. It is after all Japanese Anime...made in japan...by the japanese.
As far as technique and the like well, thats odviously exagerated and in some cases totaly off. But i think in general they take philosophy seriously over there and translate it pretty well into their media.
Pgsmith, is that your attitude in life? So quick to judge?
Samurai999, some anime, Samurai X and Akira in particular, are heavily influenced by ideas from reality. Is anime real? Obviously not. But in some of them are many thought provoking themes and lessons about life.
I agree with 2SwordStyle about the Japanese and their applications of philosophy.