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Dealing with Nito Part 3 - Suio Ryu, Masaki-ryu Fukuhara-ha Kusarigamajutsu

With reference to my previous long series on the Kusarigama I would note that, before taking Kusarigama kata on face value, one has to consider whether long-range entanglements of the sword/s are deliberate tactics or unwanted possibilities.  With that in mind let us observe the use of the Kusarigama against an opponent with two swords.

1


The long weapon attacks down the centre, the use of the cross-block means both swords are trapped at the same time.  In my opinion, this may be one of the few times an entangled chain is desirable as both swords are controlled with the chain and the use of the two swords can be detrimental to the leverage advantage of the swordsman.









2


Here the Kusarigama swings in from the side, resulting in a single wrap.  The Kusarigama, now down to just the Kama, adopts a strategy of counter-attacking single handed blows.  It could probably be argued that the swordsman is somehow 'forced' to use single handed blows in a 1-2 timing, rather than simultaneous attacks, through the manipulation of the distance along with the use of the chain the wrapped sword.













So from Suio Ryu we have:

  • Trapping or entangling the two swords in the cross-guard to control them both with one hand (with the long weapon, when effectively in Nito yourself).
  • Countering single-handed blows.

The original demonstration from which these stills are taken can be found here:


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