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