Practical Martial Arts Association

In the Water scroll, as Musashi’s advice becomes more specific, we must turn to an often-overlooked factor when considering his writings – his training methods.  He often finished a section by saying drill yourself thoroughly in these techniques, practice this cadence repeatedly, learn how to apply this method – but how exactly?  Consideration of training methods is one of the most overlooked pieces of research with regard to Musashi. When we consider that Musashi and his contemporaries were concerned with preparation for combat we can quickly come to the somewhat obvious conclusion that it is doubtful those methods used by current koryu practitioners were the only training methods used at the time.  In Jujutsu we are aware that many of the training methods used around the time of the Meiji restoration were not successfully transmitted into the Showa period. When considering a training program in any era, especially with regards to traditional martial arts, what is typic...

Last month I looked at those koryu schools that have an 'anti-nito' component - I was able to only find three examples, two of which are related.  Of course, it is normally true that one should be getting something out of both sides of a kata, and I have not looked at the actions of the 'loser' in the many schools in which the 'winner' employs nito.  That is for another series.  We can, however, look for some common threads within the limited scope of the material covered (and if you have other credible koryu examples, let me know in the comments). 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. From Shindo Muso Ryu using a longish weapon we have: Attacking the mid to high crossed guard (or arms) from below. Opening the crossed guard to take the centre. Countering single handed blows. At...

When talking about Nito, Shinto Muso Ryu must be of interest due to the story of the encounter/s between the school's founder Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi and the most famous adept of Nito swordsmanship Miyamoto Musashi.  I once asked a senior Jodo practitioner about any lore with regards to the method used to defeat Musashi (according to the school) as I presumed this would have been preserved.  The answer I received was that it was the use of Tai Atari , as seen in the Kihon, which is said to have been the technique which overcame the famous warrior (although this, like the story itself, should be considered here-say at best).  We do however see this technique put to use against two swords in the Okuden set. Chudan Kengome Shinto Muso Ryu is interesting as it puts a long(ish) weapon against the two sword style in a few examples.  The Kengome kata from the Chudan set begins with a slow setup, like Kasumi Shinto Ryu, where the Jo user attacks the crossed guard...

Said to be founded by Tsukahara Bokuden although a sword tradition there dates back a long time.  Much like the Katori system Bokuden was member of, this is a complete school of which spear is a minor part. A famous Japanese folk tale tells of the young Miyamoto Musashi challenging Bokuden to a duel during a meal. When Musashi struck first, Bokuden parried the sword with the lid of the iron pot he was eating from. In reality the story has no basis in fact, Bokuden had died 13 years before Musashi was born. Cross-stepping.                               Wide stance.                                Low guard taken to face spear. Thrusting attack levered up.             Half-sword counter. The above stills were taken from the following demonstration:

Probably the most well known spear school, not in the least because of their friendly crossing of paths with Miyomoto Musashi this school focus’s on the use of the spear with a cross piece.  Legend has it the founder, on seeing the reflection of the crescent moon shining on Sarusawa pond, was inspired to create a spear with a cross-shaped spearhead. Hōzōin-ryū was founded by Hōzōin Kakuzenbō In'ei (宝蔵院 覚禅房 胤栄, 1521–1607) in c. 1560. In'ei was a Buddhist monk of Kōfuku-ji Temple in Nara, Japan.... At the same time, he was coached and mentored by Daizendayū Moritada (大膳太夫盛忠), a master of the spear. Under this master's guidance, In'ei honed his spearmanship. It is said that one evening, on seeing the reflection of the crescent moon shining on Sarusawa pond, he was inspired to create a spear with a cross-shaped spearhead. He imagined this style of spear would be more effective in fighting. With this new type of spear (known as jumonji-yari 十文字槍), he founded the Hōzōin-ryū. ...

There are several key ideas to cover by looking at this single situation - the spear vs the sword through a doorway.  In this post, this simple situation leads us to the following 4 broad points: Obviously, the tactics of the spear vs the sword through the doorway. The often overlooked importance of terrain and how it plays a part in fighting more than one person. Understanding large-scale engagements from small-scale encounters, and vice-versa. Why a syllabus is often only a starting point, so you need to keep looking at the 'other side' in training. A Victorian Account of The Spear and the Doorway The following account relates to what is known as the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and is taken from here . Hodson refers to the well known Brevet Major William Stephen Raikes Hodson (19 March 1821 – 11 March 1858). Colonel Sir Edward Thackeray, V.C., who was attached to Seaton's column, gives a vivid picture of Hodson thoroughly enjoying himself as a Paladin of the olden time.  It wa...

It is interesting to think about the decisions we make to record and pass on some pieces of information and relegate others.  There are small habits and 'rules' that people formulate through experience - even in today's workplaces this type of knowledge is difficult to capture.  The following is hardly a is a thorough collection of spear anecdotes.  Some of them are quite interesting in terms of the sort of information that was recorded and passed on - I presume they were based on experience.  Perhaps in any later version I will capture more, but don’t hold your breath. Heike Jodan No Maki - Natori Ryu The following are taken from The Book of Samurai . KEEPING PRIMARY WEAPONS IN THE LIVING ROOM In your main room of use, when positioning your katana, wakizashi, spear, halberd or any other weapon you excel in, long weapons should be placed to the rear and on your right, while your katana, wakizashi and other things should be placed on the left.  Also, position sp...

A document dated 5 September 1607, purporting to be a transmission by Miyamoto Munisai of his teachings, suggests Munisai lived at least to this date. In this year, Musashi departed Nara for Edo, during which he fought a duel with a chain & sickle practitioner named Shishido Nanigashi in which Shishido was killed.  Possibly in Iga they engaged in a fight outside Shishido’s house (or on a bridge). As soon as Musashi saw a flash of sickle, he drew his short sword and pierced (possibly by throwing) his opponents chest, advancing to give a finishing stab.  Musashi may then have been attacked by watching students, subsequently routing them. The story varies.  The name Shishido Baiken first appears in Yoshikawa’s novel.

It is common in Jujutsu to attempt to disarm an opponent by somehow grabbing part of their weapon and levering it against the little finger edge of the wrist - in the configuration of what we call 'side wrist crush' (yokotekubihishigi). There is always some discussion as to the correct placement of the left hand on the katana in terms of how high it is on the handle.  Note here the grip of the Katori style - the bottom of the handle is far enough into the palm to allow it to be released and rotated forward so the palm presses on the end of the handle, avoiding being trapped in a side wrist lock position and allowing a solid thrust.  In the Katori style the hands are very much alive on the handle. This image shows when the handle has been rotated in the palm as it has been twisted up - the sword can be pushed from this position.  This manoeuvrability comes from the style of bottom hand grip used. To quote one translation of Musashi's work: " Generally, I dislike fixedne...

The work of William de Lange is highly recommended. He produced this short documentary series to accompany his book 'A Life In Arms'.  Update 2019 - people can now view the author's comprehensive website dealing with Musashi here .

A free PDF can be found here - I have only provided a link to the location of the file as I have not been able to determine whose work this is or the copyright status.  If you know anything about this document please let me know in the comments.  The translation I most prefer is that of Tokitsu .

The following links show some examples of art attributed to the man himself: Kampaibudokai  here . MusashiMiyamoto.com  here . Trangsformation blog  here .

Some interesting notes from Kampaibudokai can be found here . There are 5 two sword kata. 1 chudan 2 jodan 3 gedan 4 waki gamae (hidari) 5 migi waki gamae

Interesting notes on the kata from Kampaibudokai can be found here . There are seven short sword kata. 1 sassen 2 chudan 3 uke nagashi 4 moji gamae 5 haritsuke 6 nagashi uchi 7 aisen

There are twelve long sword kata.  You can find some interesting notes on the kata from Kampaibudokai here . 1 sassen (sashi sen) 2 hasso hidari 3 hasso migi 4 uke nagashi hidari 5 uke nagashi migi 6 moji gamae 7 haritsuke 8 nagashi uchi 9 tora bura 10 kazuki 11 aisen uchidome 12 amashi uchi

This demonstration would seem to include some rarely seen Jujutsu.

What I believe is the old NHK series is unique in showing some Bojutsu.

Most streams of Niten Ichi Ryu contain: 24 Kenjustu kata made up of - 12 long sword - 7 short sword - 5 two sword 20 Bojutsu kata (rarely seen) made up of - 7 Bo vs Bo - 13 Bo vs Sword Different streams also contain various Oyo-waza, although information is scarce - the exact makeup varies between groups. - Jitte (6) - Aikuchi (Roppo) (5or 6) (dagger without guard/Jujutsu) - Sessa? (5) (no idea what this is, possibly a tool or Jujutsu)