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Kusarigama of Isshin Ryu 一心流 (Type 3) - Summary of Set Ups and Actions

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


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