In the last 12 posts I have looked at individual kata within Isshin Ryu. In combination with Kaminoda's book, I have made a summary of the kata in the table below.
One of the points of interest is that for the most part the chain is used as a flail in the off hand. Of 30 kata, only 6 see the weapon actually cast, one of those being a dubious backwards over the shoulder without looking, in the Okuden.
None of the 9 entanglements originate from a cast.
None of the 9 entanglements result in a disarmament or attempt thereof.
The body is entangled once at close rang - there are no neck, foot or forearm entanglements, although occasionally a foot is stood on.
As to the lack of casting entanglements, Amdur comments: 'On the other hand I find another commonly used technique to be quite dubious. This is a long range cast of the chain and weight that tangles and ensnares the swordsman…I have had the rather frequent experience of using the chained weapons in freestyle sparring in which the chain wraps around the opponents weapon, arms or body - in no case was this an advantage. My kusarigama was largely immobilised and the enemy, having a long handled rigid weapon held in two hands could use strength and leverage to bring his sword or naginata to bear against me…the best alternative is to yank the chain as soon as it begins to wrap…with practice the weapon can be whirled into another strike when it is freed. However this can not be accomplished with the long chained weapon when it is cast with the off hand'.
I believe on looking in detail, this long range attempted entanglement is not the case but the common misunderstanding - on looking at the actions before and after an entanglement I would suggest the kata is dealing with an entaglement rather than seeking it out.
# | Group | Sickle SetUp | Cast | Entangle | Initial Contact | Sword | Note |
1 | Omote | Guard Right | No | Yes | Left Chain Wrap | Stab from wrap | Level change |
2 | Omote | Guard Right | No | Yes | Left Chain Wrap | Stab from wrap | Grapple stab |
3 | Omote | Guard Right | No | Yes | Left Chain Wrap | Pull wrap high | Let out slack |
4 | Omote | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Hands trapped | End with hit |
5 | Omote | Handle Right | No | No | Right Blade | Beat away | End with hit |
6 | Omote | Guard Left | Yes | No | Right Blade | Hand dodge | Backhand line cast |
7 | Omote | Guard Left | Yes | No | Right Blade | Hand dodge | Backhand line cast |
8 | Omote | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Bind | End with hit |
9 | Omote | Guard Right | No | No | Chain Block | Survives | No finishing move |
10 | Omote | Guard Right | No | No | Chain Block | ||
11 | Omote | Guard Right | No | Yes | Left Chain Wrap | Pull wrap high | Let out slack |
12 | Omote | Guard Right | No | Yes | Right Funnel | Hands trapped | Chain over body |
13 | Ura | Guard Right | No | Yes | Left Chain Wrap | Stab from wrap | |
14 | Ura | Guard Right | No | Yes | Left Chain Wrap | Stab from wrap | |
15 | Ura | Guard Right | No | Yes | Left Chain Wrap | Pull to hasso | Drop chain grapple |
16 | Ura | Guard Right | No | No | Level change | ||
17 | Ura | Guard Left | Yes | No | Right Blade | Hand dodge | Backhand line cast |
18 | Ura | Guard Left | Yes | No | Right Blade | Hand dodge | Backhand line cast |
19 | Ura | Guard Left | Yes | No | Right Blade | Hand dodge | Forehand line cast |
20 | Ura | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Bind | End with hit |
21 | Ura | Guard Right | No | No | Chain Block | ||
22 | Ura | Guard Right | No | No | Chain Block | ||
23 | Ura | Guard Right | No | Yes | Left Chain Wrap | Pull wrap high | Let out slack |
24 | Ura | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Hands trapped | End with hit |
25 | Okuden | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Hands trapped | Seiza front |
26 | Okuden | Guard Right | Yes | No | Right Blade | Seiza rear, blind cast | |
27 | Okuden | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Seiza iai | Seiza right |
28 | Okuden | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Seiza iai | Seiza left |
29 | Okuden | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Bind | Against spear |
30 | Okuden | Guard Right | No | No | Right Funnel | Beat away | Against spear |