Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu

[ScottUK]

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...

[2SwordStyle]

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"

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.
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.

[ScottUK]

Hi 2Sword,

Off-topic, but what style of iai have you incorporated into your sword arts class?

Regards,

[2SwordStyle]

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.

[Hisham]

Pretty interested in your Sensei's answer two.

[hiko]

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.

[pgsmith]

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.

Thanks, but no thanks. I think I'll go practice and attempt to learn the philosophy of real sword arts instead.

[samurai999]

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

[2SwordStyle]

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.

[hiko]

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.

[samurai999]

The point I was trying to make is.. Anime is NOT real, just like what hiko says. I'm talking about ppl going about kendo practice thinking they are in a samurai movie or some anime samurai movie.. Thats what I meant by "blurring the lines".. Its true that anime is somewhat influenced by history, BUT thats where it should end. ppl who become fanatics and act out their "anime fantasies" are just taking things too far IMHO....

Take this guy for example...

http://www.myspace.com/neotokyoprophet

Lastly, just because Japanese anime is Japanese doesn't mean it is chock full of Japanese heritage and philosophy.... Take FLCL for example.....

Tim

[hiko]

I see what you mean. I visited the site, not quite sure what to make of it (very messy). It's like a blog/personal ad.

Yes, there are too many that go into kendo expecting to perform Hiten Mitsurugi's ultimate technique. Actually, I have a funny story about that.

I recently joined this kung fu place. I was getting a private lesson on the bo staff. After the lesson, I noticed they had bokkens, so I picked one up. I said "So you like Japanese swordmanship a lot?"
"I know it well, but my specialty is the kung fu sabre."
He took up his kung fu sabre, and showed me all these neat things he could do to overpower and outmaneuver the traditional japanese swordsman.
"That was pretty cool." I said.
"Yeah, I once taught a class with some anime people in it. I showed them how the kung fu sabre could defeat the katana in several instances. They didn't like it."
"They didn't like seeing Kenshin lose, I bet."
"Pretty much."

[2SwordStyle]

LOL Japanese vs Chinese is a whole nother mess. But personally I believe in the Japanese sword.

For the following reasons

-Better actual sword (the katana is the most advanced sword weapon crafted in the old world)

-Less wasted energy (Japanese swordsmanship is about as "to the point" as it gets. Every strike has a killing purpose)

-Lifestyle (the samurai or the old world was utterley dedicated to swordsmanship is every aspect of life. The chineese to my knowldge never had a class of such dedication to the sword or swordsmanship.)

[splice]

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.

That's pretty funny when you consider that in the OVA he had broken off from his teacher because he didn't agree with his philosophy. It's in the anime series that he goes back and finally understands what his swordsmanship is about, so if you want the supposed philosophy behind Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, that's where you should look, not the OVAs.

[naskendo]

I have some websites related to this art which shows the moves list and the techniques. Some of the moves of hiten art is possible that depends that how fast and accurate u are. Anyway if anyone wants the techniques just ask me. I think the art of hiten mitsurgi ryu should not be taught to everyone becoz just like other martial arts it will become common. I am uttering nonsens coz it is impossible to teach hiten since it is ficiton art but some of the moves possible but what I am saying is make this art rare!!