My Bujinkan video exploring the strategy of 出離の棒 Shutsuri No Bō. During the last few years when Hatsumi Sensei was actively training, he did mutō dori against the Bō in almost every class. He told us this idea of shutsuri as a way to detach and be free of the attack from the Bō.
my Bujinkan video exploring Togakure Ryū Biken with Dato no Ken. It’s basically two quick strikes in succession. First, strike with the 棟 mune to disarm or open up the target. Then the second strike is a kesa giri to finish the job.
To begin class I showed 足拂浮舟 ashi barai ukibune with the tachi. You may have seen this kata in Kashima-Shinryū tachi kihon, but it is not the same as our Bujinkan version. Our opponent cuts in, we receive with jodan uke. Then using 撚り型 yorigata, cut down to the leg.
I began class with a 掬上 sukuiage using tachi. But the starting kamae was unique in the manner I studied with Hatsumi Soke. We started in 音無しの構 Otonashi no kamae.
I began class with 太刀討 Tachi Uchi or 太刀討之位 Tachi Uchi no kurai. In this kata you destroy your opponent's tachi. Or break the form of his sword attack. But it happens at a specific position in the kukan.
I began class by using 撚り型 yorigata with a tachi. As our opponent cuts in from hasso, you receive muto dori style, then shield using 十字 juuji. When the yorigata occurs, you press forward at this angle. Not only does this move your opponent's weapon from its' threatening position, but your own sword now lies across his chest/neck.
Now I began class with a kamae I am sure 95 percent of the Bujinkan does not know or has not studied. It is 陣中の平の構 jinchu no hira no kamae. This kamae is wonderful for the study of this year's themes of muto dori and tsurugi.
a student demonstrated the kata 斬上 kiriage. Then I shared my version of this which uses the whole body to drive the cut. What looks like two cuts should be made one. It is a powerful blow that drives through the attacker's body. Even if he had armor on it should move him completely so he is vulnerable. Remember most sword cuts in the Bujinkan are really oshigiri.
We began with the 無刀捕 Mutōdori of 太刀捕 Tachi Dori. I taught two methods that I learned from Hatsumi Sensei in Japan. These are done by feel rather than looking for the sword. I explained some small details about 不動明王の目 Fudōmyōō no me like 天地眼 tenchigan. I added the 鎖分銅 kusarifundō to trap the Tachi. The true skill of Bujinkan students is often revealed with their handling of flexible weapons. I finished by sharing some critical details on how to do 中振 nakafuri with the kusarifundō. It becomes infinite like happō.