Skip to main content

Dealing with Nito Part 1 - Kasumi Shinto Ryu

I would like to have a look at how some groups deal with Nito as a precursor to looking at Nito itself, at some stage in the future.  By examining the tactics used against Nito we can draw some conclusions about either facing or using this configuration.

I would first like to look at Kasumi Shinto Ryu.  I have used some pictures from the old book by Tsunemori Kaminoda to illustrate their approach.

I would also comment that I have no knowledge of the Kendo approach with regards to using or facing Nito in the realm of Kendo.  

Kasumi Shinto Ryu consists of a limited number of kata and only one deals with Nito; Nito Ai.  In some information with regards to stances at the start of the work, and advisory picture with regards to the crossed 'guard' is shown.


The kata begins here:




The key action actually takes place somewhat slowly, in setting up the beginning of the kata - not an unusual event for something related to Shindo Muso Ryu.  The proponent with the single sword comes up through the middle of the crossed guard.




Cutting at the lead wrist from below is a feature of Kasumi Shinto Ryu, so one could make an argument that this is a likely position if attempting to make such a cut against an opponent with two swords.

It is, however, true that as strong as a crossed guard or block is in one direction (i.e. if a downward cut had been caught in an upward cross) is as weak as it is in the opposite direction.  The crossed guard or block is weak from underneath if it is above the midline (and weak from above if it is below the midline).

Not only has the guard been broken down, but the single sword has also taken the centre.


The single sword maintains the centre and contacts incoming single handed blows in the weak (in the European sword-fighting sense) of the opponent's sword.  From there the end plays out with a counter.





So from Kasumi Shinto Ryu we have:

  • Attack the weak direction of the crossed block or guard through the centre.
  • Take the centre once the guard opens and look for an opportunity to counter a single-handed blow with the long sword.


You can find a video here, but remember as above, the detail of the beginning of the kata is crucial:

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Spear (Yari) in Owari Kan Ryu 尾張貫流 (Kudayari & others)

Owari Kan ryū is known for its use of the kuda-yari (tube spear). The e (shaft) is run through a kuda (metal pipe) that’s in the front hand of the practitioner.  Interestingly the school’s students start training by doing shiai (competition) and only after considerable training they learn the school's kata (forms). Most classical schools that practice shiai do so after learning kata. Thrusting using the kuda. Cross-stepping.                           Thrusting attack with kuda. Wide stance.   Shiai. Shiai using a spear with a cross piece. The original demonstration from which these stills were taken is here:
Read more

Australia’s Turning Point – Signals Intelligence leading to the Battle of the Coral Sea

Australian/American Signals cooperation was not only important in stopping the Japanese advance to Australian shores but marked the beginning of Australia embedding its forces with the United States rather than simply furnishing troops for the British.  Whilst the British, in my opinion , had a long history of using Commonwealth troops to either protect their colonial interests or to take on deployments with high expected rates of attrition, when Australia faced the real possibility of invasion with the vast majority of its troops and equipment deployed overseas, it was the Americans, whose interests in the Pacific aligned with our own, that were on hand to push the Japanese back from our shores. The Battle of the Coral Sea saw the beginnings of the deployment of Australian sea power under direct American command, a joint approach that would continue to the present time – it was, however, Signals Intelligence that led the way to the embedding of US/Australian forces and played a ma...
Read more

New Practical Jujitsu Page & Videos

 A new page has been added to the site: "Practical Jujitsu". To begin, a number of videos covering the basic parameters and principles of practical Jujitsu will be added, recorded live from the dojo whiteboard. Check it out here .
Read more