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The Structure of the Tenshinshoden Katori Shinto Ryu Syllabus



It should be noted that the current head, Otake Risuke, has commented that not all of the parts of Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu survive.  I recall his comments in various documentaries that Archery was once a component, and only some of the spear survives.

Through various sources, mostly Otake's book, I have put together this brief outline of their syllabus, however I have little idea of the exact stage each is taught except that I believe the students start with Omote no Tachi.  I will use this as the basis for further posts and may add to it over time.

I believe their are important implications when Otake says that one of the main reasons for training all the weapons is to train the swordsman against them.

Note in this section in brackets are my own comments and should therefore not be relied upon, those from the written work of Otake are clearly marked.

Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu


-Kenjutsu (Otake lists Tachi, Ryuto and Kodachi under Kenjustsu)

--Tachi (Use of the single long sword against the single long sword)

---Omote no Tachi 4 forms

----Itsutsu no Tachi
----Nanatsu no Tachi
----Kasumi no Tachi
----Hakka no Tachi

---Gogyo no Tachi 5 forms

----Mitsu no Tachi
----Yotsu no Tachi
----In no Tachi
----Sha no Tachi
----Hotsu no Tachi

---Shichijo no Tachi 3 forms

----Toyama no Tachi (Otake: "ukifuni no kurai")
----Katanami no Tachi (Otake: "hasui no kurai")
----Agenami no Tachi (Otake: "sangetsu no kurai")

(Otake notes "The tradition also contains a large syllabus of secret sword teachings including fudochi-shinmyo-ken and tsubame-gaeshi.")



-Iaijutsu (cutting from the draw, practiced singularly due to use of the live blade but taught with applications)

--Omote no Iai 6 forms (from half kneeling)

---Kusanagi no Ken
---Nukitsuke no Ken
---Nukiuchi no Ken
---Uken
---Saken
---Happo-ken

--Tachiai battojutsu 5 forms (standing, walking, seen in 1st Dan TJR)

---Yukiai Gyakunuki no Tachi
---Zengo Chidori no Tachi
---Yukiai Migi Chidori no Tachi
---Gyakunuki no Tachi
---Nukiuchi no Tachi

--Gokui no Tachi 5 forms

---Kumokiri no Ken
---Hangetsu no Ken
---Muichi no Ken
---Muni no Ken
---Seigan no Tachi



-Ryoto 4 forms (use of long and short swords against the long sword)

--Eigetsu no Tachi (Otake: "nio no kurai")
--Suigetsu no Tachi (Otake: "tenchi no kurai")
--Isonami no Tachi (Otake: "fuha no kurai")
--Murakumo no Tachi (Otake: "sasu no kurai")



-Kodachi 3 forms (use of the short sword against the long sword)

--Hangetsu no Kodachi
--Suigetsu no Kodachi
--Seigan no Kodachi



-Bojutsu (use of the 6 foot staff against the long sword)

--Omote no Bojutsu 6 forms

---Seriai no Bo
---Sune Hishigi no Bo
---Sayu no Bo
---Kasa Hazushi no Bo
---Hanetsurube no Bo
---Tatenami no Bo

--Gogyo no Bo 6 forms

---Gedan Gamae no Bo
---Kasumi Gake no Bo
---Denko Gamae no Bo
---In Gamae no Bo
---Hikizue Gamae no Bo
---Tatezue Gamae no Bo



-Naginatajutsu (use of the halberd against the long sword)

--Omote no Naginatajutsu 4 forms

---Itsutsu no Naginata
---Nanatsu no Naginata
---Kasumi no Naginata
---Hakka no Naginata

-- Gokui Shichijo no Naginata 3 forms

---Enpi no Naginata
---Tonbo no Naginata
---Ryuko no Naginata



-Sojutsu (use of the spear against the long sword)

--Omote no Yari 6 forms

---Hiryu no Yari
---Koryu no Yari
---Tsukidome no Yari
---Anya no Yari
---Denko no Yari
---Yorunoya Yari

--Hiden (Otake: "Secret forms")

---Jodan no Yariai
---Gedan no Yariai



-Jujutsu

--Idori no bu 13 forms

---Gyaku Yubi
---Konoha Gaeshi
---Hiniku Jime
---Kata Emon
---Giboshi Gaeshi
---Hiji Gane
---Saruko Jime
---Tachi Ojo
---Ryo Emon
---Koromo Shibori
---Musasoku
---Do Shibori
---Hagai Shibori

--Tachiai no bu 17 forms

---Toru Kobushi
---Uchi Tokko
---Soto Tokko
---Shichiri Biki
---Kareki Ori
---Oni Osae
---Shogi Daoshi
---Yami no Yo
---Yume no Makura
---Taki Otoshi
---Washi no Issoku
---U no Hagai Ori
---Tengu Gaeshi
---Sugatami
---Sasu Dome
---Kami Tori
---Yama Otoshi

--Tachiai Kiai-nage no Bu 6 forms

---Ashi Barai
---Koshi Seoi
---Yagura Otoshi
---Kawari Goshi
---Sumi Kaeshi
---Katagaruma



-Shurikenjutsu (use of the throwing dart)

-Ninjutsu

Otake "A broad base of knowledge concerning ninjutsu, including the workings of clandestine organisations and their methods, and how to defeat ninja, is transmitted by oral instruction...taught as a defensive means...passed on as a means for defeating the potential intrusion of ninja."


-Heiho

Techniques for strategy, fortification (chikujoho), esoteric ritual, divining (hojutsu) and troop movements (gunbai heiho)
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