I really love these videos, Mr Frank, and find them an absolute treasure trove for those of us who truly enjoy learning more about Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū!! I hope you’ll keep ‘em coming! 😃👍🏻
I like all the cuts. They are all valid. The sweeping cut (you mentioned Iaido but I just think we should use all cuts) is good for distance. The Aikido cut (schools are all different) is like a chopping cut but with forward intention (that many fail to see). It is good for block/parrying and cutting. And the Maki-uchi is the same as the latter but with a defensive aspect and more being made of the thrust. They are all good. Been doing it a long time myself and will steal anything from anywhere.
It would also be good to remember that some of the old schools (koryu) that fall under the broad concept of iaido are NOT arts meant for the battlefield. Their techniques are therefore not intended against an armored opponent and for this reason the ways of using the sword differ. So it is not very meaningful to claim that one way of using a sword is better than another, unless you first remember what the sword is intended to be used for.
Yes, this is undoubtedly the primordial idea behind the school's techniques, but... Now that it is practiced as a cultural heritage that has no direct (technical) application in reality, it is considered normal to study its originally intended application, but... Katori Shinto-ryu has a centuries-old history, and during each stage of its existence (in the pre-modern eras) it had to adapt (and change technically) to the adequate requirements of the respective era in order to be able to preserve his "essence" and to survive. That is why the wide range of action you describe are not entirely inadequate to the practice of the school; as they say - "Each situation has its own rules (advantages and disadvantages)", so I think it is good for the practitioner to know all the possibilities and use the most adequate ones according to the situation of the moment:))
2 years ago I was speaking to my sifu about swordsmanship, and he mentioned he once trained with a woman who studied Katori Shinto Ryu, and mentioned to me that you ought to avoid their first strike. I, being a poor student, forgot the name of this system and have been trying desperately to remember as he recently passed. You have alleviated a great strand of regret for me.
This is true, but mostly makiuchi is performed in such manner for the purpose of avoiding the crest of your own helmet. It needs to be said, that certain styles of martial arts need to be seen in the historical context in which they were created and existed. TSKSR is a style that was created and developed during the late middle ages, late 14th to 15th centuries if I'm not mistaken. It was mostly purely designed for the battlefield, unlike later styles that came during the Edo period. During this period of relative long peace, the majority of the Samurai were living in urban settings and armour was not worn on a daily basis. Kenjutsu became more of a self defensive art used to maintain order and the rule of law. This gave way for the development of arts that focused more directly to address these issues. Arts like Iaijutsu then developed and also gave way for unarmed methods to develop further, like jujutsu and aikijujutsu. The old Yawara methods of armored grappling seem antiquated and lacking more precise techniques.
Hi Paul, another insightful video and a a great teaching tool. I have found in my practice that while there are differences but there are also many more commonalities and share the same principles.
2:55 Paul the video you mentioned of the cut performed by Kawabata Terutaka, the first soke of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu, that you mentioned was not intended to be a killing or striking technique for practical swordfighting with armor. The purpose of that project was to document and test the durability and quality of Yoshindo Yoshiharas Nihonto swordsmithing. The blade Kawabata san used was a Yoshihara one. The officials there in the video were there to witness a cut that hadnt been executed in decades to test a swordmiths capabilities. All Japanese Koryu styles know that if an opponent was aromored only the weakspots of the yoroi can be targeted, which is specifically what Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu does practically, later Edo Kenjutsu adapted to unarmored opponents.
interesting. I've been involved in one form or another in the martial arts most of my life. from Japanese and Okinawan Karate to Judo and Tradittional Ju jitsu . But my youngest has started into HEMA which has gotten me more into the Kenjutsu applications of my studies. I am thinking videos like this will help me unlock sword skills hidden in many older forms and help me spare against my child's rapier tactics. Will be watching more in the future and am looking forward to them.
Your explanation is correct and wrong at the same time. The style is very deep and multiple application are valid. People should understand that everything depends on the situation and inner purpose. What you are saying is correct, but people should not be fixed on any one idea. Even the idea of not being fixed is an idea.
Sorry you got the impression that I believe there’s only one application to every situation. I was only choosing the application that was relevant to my point. I thought it would be very interesting for people to understand the bigger picture of why the movements were so completely different than in other styles that are more modern.
Thanks for the info Paul, you are so good at explaning these points. But just curious, and not to come off disrespectful to you here - in Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, do you not take Keppan when starting? And isn't part of that Keppan not to demonstrate the inner methods to the public? Isn't there also a very specific point of never showing KSR while wearing Yoroi? So wondering why more Westerners are not made Hamon due to breaking the most basic of rules within that Ryuha? My other friends studying this Ryuha (Sugawara-ha) say that if they ever created a video like this and published it, they would expect Hamon.
Good question. This concept is correct. Hundreds of years ago secrecy was the key to keeping your family and lineage alive. Today, most people study for recreation and knowledge. I was very shocked when I saw Otake Sensei was making extensive videos on showing application of the kata. I still believe 99% of the education has to be done one on one. However, I do believe enough knowledge should be shared to make people aware of why it is critical to find a qualified instructor to train with. so videos like this one I produced just to create awareness. Hopefully my videos will create motivated to seek out high-quality instruction.
I teach mainly in Edmond, Oklahoma. I train with many many different people. My lineage is Sugawara ha. ua-cam.com/video/BXuEqntuU7o/v-deo.htmlsi=_Xs-SOrVmEPEOrx0
Aikido never used swords. The wooden sword in Aikido is just a prop used to illustrate principles and concepts. The suburi-to (practice swing sword) is just to build arm and grip strength.
The reason for making cuts close to the body in aikido is rather that the practice of these cuts is reflected in taijustu. Therefore, the mechanics of long cuts, as in iaido, would be a mistake in, for example, shiho nage.
Hate to be that guy, but nope. I know exaclty why they did it that way, because i would do it that way too. By cutting that way you don't telegraph your movement and you have a wide range of places you can go from that one position. You also hide your distance from your opponent, which is critical in a swordfight where the other person is looking to gauge the length of your sword cut and signs of telegraphing to react to the cut. Yes you CAN poke the guy in the face, but that's not why they did it.😂
For those who treasure and understand how much Japan has contributed to the world culture, Japan is under attack like never before! I've lived here over 30 years, everything that people love about traditional Japan is being " legislatively" removed by globalists. Anyone who wants to protect Japanese arts should look into Sanseito, the ONLY political group that is raising their voice!
If you are part of katori shinto ryu you have swear not to share details of the school. If you're not part of katori then all that you say is a fraud. Either way, you shouldn't be speaking about it.
My former Sensai is Toshishiro Obata, world record holder of cutting a helmet. Google. I do agree with Paul’s logic on why cutting helmets is not practical nor a measure of one kenjutsu as Iadio and cutting tatami are neither…. I predict we will see more freestyle kenjutsu in the future. There’s now quality protection and fencing katana that didn’t exist 10 to 15 years ago. I’ll be right in the center of this movement. Let’s keep the quality of instruction high. I stared in my own movie by 28, beat a malignant brain tumor by 35, learned how to talk again by 40, turned hacker by 43, pivoted into crypto and made 1.5 million. Now I’m here… and looking forward to getting back to martial arts with razor sharp focus. Find excellence and pursue it as if your life depended on it. Paul’s instruction and form are a manifestation of excellence. Learn to recognize this in others and you to may be excellent too one day. I can only hope that Paul continues more tutorials with a focus on kenjutsu. Cheers and thank you.
The ideas that are taught from this school are nearly impossible to hear about outside a dojo. I am happy that schools like these are becoming more relaxed and less secretive of their applications. Some traditions are more detrimental to a school than beneficial and as I hope to study this Ryuha when I move to Japan, videos like these are indispensable. ありがとうございました Frank-先生
Well, Otake Sensei has many videos describing many of the applications in Katori Shinto Ryu kata. 99% of the education has to happen one on one. I only posted this video to bring awareness and demonstrate the depth of the Ryu. I hope you can find a highly qualified instructor and begin your journey.
I really love these videos, Mr Frank, and find them an absolute treasure trove for those of us who truly enjoy learning more about Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū!! I hope you’ll keep ‘em coming! 😃👍🏻
I like all the cuts. They are all valid. The sweeping cut (you mentioned Iaido but I just think we should use all cuts) is good for distance. The Aikido cut (schools are all different) is like a chopping cut but with forward intention (that many fail to see). It is good for block/parrying and cutting. And the Maki-uchi is the same as the latter but with a defensive aspect and more being made of the thrust. They are all good. Been doing it a long time myself and will steal anything from anywhere.
Well said brother amen
Nice video and great analysis of using deflects and functional techniques against armor! ❤
It would also be good to remember that some of the old schools (koryu) that fall under the broad concept of iaido are NOT arts meant for the battlefield. Their techniques are therefore not intended against an armored opponent and for this reason the ways of using the sword differ. So it is not very meaningful to claim that one way of using a sword is better than another, unless you first remember what the sword is intended to be used for.
Yes, this is undoubtedly the primordial idea behind the school's techniques, but...
Now that it is practiced as a cultural heritage that has no direct (technical) application in reality, it is considered normal to study its originally intended application, but... Katori Shinto-ryu has a centuries-old history, and during each stage of its existence (in the pre-modern eras) it had to adapt (and change technically) to the adequate requirements of the respective era in order to be able to preserve his "essence" and to survive.
That is why the wide range of action you describe are not entirely inadequate to the practice of the school; as they say - "Each situation has its own rules (advantages and disadvantages)", so I think it is good for the practitioner to know all the possibilities and use the most adequate ones according to the situation of the moment:))
2 years ago I was speaking to my sifu about swordsmanship, and he mentioned he once trained with a woman who studied Katori Shinto Ryu, and mentioned to me that you ought to avoid their first strike. I, being a poor student, forgot the name of this system and have been trying desperately to remember as he recently passed. You have alleviated a great strand of regret for me.
As an Iaido practitioner, I find the nuances of these cuts fascinating. Thank you for the informative posts 👍
Clear, well thought out and extremely helpful. Many thanks!
This is true, but mostly makiuchi is performed in such manner for the purpose of avoiding the crest of your own helmet.
It needs to be said, that certain styles of martial arts need to be seen in the historical context in which they were created and existed.
TSKSR is a style that was created and developed during the late middle ages, late 14th to 15th centuries if I'm not mistaken. It was mostly purely designed for the battlefield, unlike later styles that came during the Edo period.
During this period of relative long peace, the majority of the Samurai were living in urban settings and armour was not worn on a daily basis. Kenjutsu became more of a self defensive art used to maintain order and the rule of law. This gave way for the development of arts that focused more directly to address these issues.
Arts like Iaijutsu then developed and also gave way for unarmed methods to develop further, like jujutsu and aikijujutsu. The old Yawara methods of armored grappling seem antiquated and lacking more precise techniques.
Hi Paul, another insightful video and a a great teaching tool. I have found in my practice that while there are differences but there are also many more commonalities and share the same principles.
2:55 Paul the video you mentioned of the cut performed by Kawabata Terutaka, the first soke of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu, that you mentioned was not intended to be a killing or striking technique for practical swordfighting with armor. The purpose of that project was to document and test the durability and quality of Yoshindo Yoshiharas Nihonto swordsmithing. The blade Kawabata san used was a Yoshihara one. The officials there in the video were there to witness a cut that hadnt been executed in decades to test a swordmiths capabilities. All Japanese Koryu styles know that if an opponent was aromored only the weakspots of the yoroi can be targeted, which is specifically what Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu does practically, later Edo Kenjutsu adapted to unarmored opponents.
Fantastic, thank you again
Makes sense. As a practitioner of backyard-Ryu it makes sense to me.
interesting. I've been involved in one form or another in the martial arts most of my life. from Japanese and Okinawan Karate to Judo and Tradittional Ju jitsu . But my youngest has started into HEMA which has gotten me more into the Kenjutsu applications of my studies. I am thinking videos like this will help me unlock sword skills hidden in many older forms and help me spare against my child's rapier tactics. Will be watching more in the future and am looking forward to them.
Your video format is handy.
Maki-uchi is not only in omote, it is not a technique against armor and it does not only attack to the head
Beautiful and simple video, describing a very complex technique....osu
Thank you
👍
Your explanation is correct and wrong at the same time. The style is very deep and multiple application are valid. People should understand that everything depends on the situation and inner purpose. What you are saying is correct, but people should not be fixed on any one idea. Even the idea of not being fixed is an idea.
Sorry you got the impression that I believe there’s only one application to every situation. I was only choosing the application that was relevant to my point. I thought it would be very interesting for people to understand the bigger picture of why the movements were so completely different than in other styles that are more modern.
Thanks for the info Paul, you are so good at explaning these points. But just curious, and not to come off disrespectful to you here - in Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, do you not take Keppan when starting? And isn't part of that Keppan not to demonstrate the inner methods to the public? Isn't there also a very specific point of never showing KSR while wearing Yoroi? So wondering why more Westerners are not made Hamon due to breaking the most basic of rules within that Ryuha? My other friends studying this Ryuha (Sugawara-ha) say that if they ever created a video like this and published it, they would expect Hamon.
Good question. This concept is correct. Hundreds of years ago secrecy was the key to keeping your family and lineage alive. Today, most people study for recreation and knowledge. I was very shocked when I saw Otake Sensei was making extensive videos on showing application of the kata. I still believe 99% of the education has to be done one on one. However, I do believe enough knowledge should be shared to make people aware of why it is critical to find a qualified instructor to train with. so videos like this one I produced just to create awareness. Hopefully my videos will create motivated to seek out high-quality instruction.
Great video sir,not sure if you’ve mentioned in earlier videos but I was wondering where your dojo is who you train with?Direct lineage?
I teach mainly in Edmond, Oklahoma. I train with many many different people. My lineage is Sugawara ha.
ua-cam.com/video/BXuEqntuU7o/v-deo.htmlsi=_Xs-SOrVmEPEOrx0
Was wondering if you’ve trained with Sensei Kwon from Colorado?
Aikido never used swords.
The wooden sword in Aikido is just a prop used to illustrate principles and concepts.
The suburi-to (practice swing sword) is just to build arm and grip strength.
What are your thoughts of european longsword, and cutting?
🇦🇬
ありがとうございました。
🙇🏾♂️
Most interesting! Of course Iaido shomen uchi are for unarmoured opponents in Koryu.
Just wear western medieval armour and fight the samurai with a 4 inch blade …..only one winner either way !!.
The reason for making cuts close to the body in aikido is rather that the practice of these cuts is reflected in taijustu. Therefore, the mechanics of long cuts, as in iaido, would be a mistake in, for example, shiho nage.
It's fine in shiho-nage ... just a different effect/result.
+1
Hate to be that guy, but nope.
I know exaclty why they did it that way, because i would do it that way too.
By cutting that way you don't telegraph your movement and you have a wide range of places you can go from that one position.
You also hide your distance from your opponent, which is critical in a swordfight where the other person is looking to gauge the length of your sword cut and signs of telegraphing to react to the cut.
Yes you CAN poke the guy in the face, but that's not why they did it.😂
I've been forging swords for about 30 years and as much as I love swords, they are not great weapons against metal armour.
For those who treasure and understand how much Japan has contributed to the world culture, Japan is under attack like never before! I've lived here over 30 years, everything that people love about traditional Japan is being " legislatively" removed by globalists. Anyone who wants to protect Japanese arts should look into Sanseito, the ONLY political group that is raising their voice!
If you are part of katori shinto ryu you have swear not to share details of the school. If you're not part of katori then all that you say is a fraud. Either way, you shouldn't be speaking about it.
What is your opinion about all the videos Otake Sensei has produced where he describes in detail the applications of the kata?
Katori Shinto Roo? Is that like a samurai kangaroo?
My former Sensai is Toshishiro Obata, world record holder of cutting a helmet. Google. I do agree with Paul’s logic on why cutting helmets is not practical nor a measure of one kenjutsu as Iadio and cutting tatami are neither…. I predict we will see more freestyle kenjutsu in the future. There’s now quality protection and fencing katana that didn’t exist 10 to 15 years ago. I’ll be right in the center of this movement. Let’s keep the quality of instruction high.
I stared in my own movie by 28, beat a malignant brain tumor by 35, learned how to talk again by 40, turned hacker by 43, pivoted into crypto and made 1.5 million. Now I’m here… and looking forward to getting back to martial arts with razor sharp focus. Find excellence and pursue it as if your life depended on it.
Paul’s instruction and form are a manifestation of excellence. Learn to recognize this in others and you to may be excellent too one day.
I can only hope that Paul continues more tutorials with a focus on kenjutsu.
Cheers and thank you.
The ideas that are taught from this school are nearly impossible to hear about outside a dojo. I am happy that schools like these are becoming more relaxed and less secretive of their applications. Some traditions are more detrimental to a school than beneficial and as I hope to study this Ryuha when I move to Japan, videos like these are indispensable.
ありがとうございました Frank-先生
Well, Otake Sensei has many videos describing many of the applications in Katori Shinto Ryu kata. 99% of the education has to happen one on one. I only posted this video to bring awareness and demonstrate the depth of the Ryu. I hope you can find a highly qualified instructor and begin your journey.