February, 2013 - NinZine 3.0

Two of the Best Ways to Hold a Weapon

Michael GlennFebruary 16, 2013February 16, 2013

From Bujinkan Santa Monica by Michael Glenn

Japanese Plow (notice grip), 1914-18 photo by A.Davey

There is always a lot of curiosity about how to properly hold a weapon. Different arts and schools have their secret or preferred methods. But there is a simple way to understand gripping a weapon.

You may have seen the practice of linking fingers in shinto (こりてくみ koritekumi, みてわざ mitewaza), or in mikkyo (手印 shuin). Two common variations are 本手 honte for yielding or being gentle, and 逆手 gyakute for vigorous strength. 観音菩薩 Kannonbosatsu often assumes the honte finger position for mercy, while 勢至菩薩 Seishibosatsu applies the gyakute method for wisdom.

So we may apply this to 手の内 tenouchi and holding a weapon:

If you are gripping honte style, hold the weapon across your palm with the middle finger and thumb coming together. This method is preferred for freedom and flexibility.
With gyakute, you may shift the weapon in your palm so the index finger and thumb come together. Gripping in this fashion shows strength and power.

That's it. Most other variations are specialties for very specific situations or for specialized weapons. You may try to get tricky, but human hands have been holding tools and weapons since our ancestors first grew thumbs.

Of course what I'm not sharing is the knowledge of how or when to use these grips. You must speak to your teacher for that. Only real training can fill in the blanks.… Read More

Two of the Best Ways to Hold a Weapon

Michael GlennFebruary 16, 2013February 16, 2013

From Bujinkan Santa Monica by Michael Glenn

Japanese Plow (notice grip), 1914-18 photo by A.Davey

If you are gripping honte style, hold the weapon across your palm with the middle finger and thumb coming together. This method is preferred for freedom and flexibility.
With gyakute, you may shift the weapon in your palm so the index finger and thumb come together. Gripping in this fashion shows strength and power.

Ken: Sayû Changing hands

kumafrFebruary 15, 2013

From Shiro Kuma's Weblog by kumafr

左右 sayû means left/right (this is the Chinese for hidari/migi in Japanese)

When it comes to changing hand with the ken (from right hand to left hand) one is facing a difficulty as the Chinese blade is heavier than the Japanese regular Katana. It also has a different balance, the weight being more in the head of the blade.

Changing hands is not very common in traditional swordmanship in Japan but it is in the bujinkan and in China too.

The positioning of the fingers on the Tsuba of the Ken allows to orient the blade properly in the movements and this is what we need in order to change our grip from one hand to another. Below is a pictured example on how to proceed.

1. Start from a sort of Shizen/Hira no Kamae.

The sword is held reverse (kashira to the ground).

The blade is hidden behind the back.

Knees and arms are relaxed.

Gravity is holding the sword in place.

2. Do Jûji Aruki

Gyokko ryû type (i.e. toes are perpendicular)

The left leg passes in front of the right leg. The body is going backwards. Keep your balance.

The hands are on both sides of the Tsuka. Watch the positioning of the fingers on the Tsuka. Legs and arms move simultaneously.

3. Uncross the legs while pivoting towards the attacker.

The left hand releases the grip,

While the right hand is rotating the blade.

Sword is flat, palm is up.

4. Thrust the blade forward with a full body movement. The left arm is helping the thrust and pulls backward extending the body. This is some kind of Hira Ichimonji no kamae.

Be strong and balanced on your legs. Push on your back leg. You can pivot on the rear toes to add more distance to your thrust. The blade is horizontal and facing the opponent at all time from the beginning of the change of hand.

左右 sayû means left/right but written 矢優, sayû becomes a “skilled arrow” piercing the defense of the attacker.

Kenwonigiru: Holding The Ken

kumafrFebruary 14, 2013

From Shiro Kuma's Weblog by kumafr

The Ken has no Tsuba perpendicular to the blade. On the contrary the guard is in line with it. Therefore your forefinger often slips on top of the guard and getting close to the blade.

In a recent class Sensei explained that the use of the fingers were of utmost importance in order to direct the edges properly. After hours of training I came up with my own types of grips of this strange guard. I share it here for those who are trying to understand this rather strange weapon. These are my discoveries so they can be totally wrong (don’t trust me).

Problems encountered:

the finger(s) keep covering the guard
the sword is heavy and hard to keep in hand without a proper grip
the grip on the sword can be reverse
the design of the guard allows more grips that in a reguler japanese sword
the momentum of the sword is important
the body is moving a lot and the straight sword is often used like a whip

All the above has made me think on a set of grips. I called these 劍を握る, Kenwonigiru or holding the Ken.

The following are a few pictures showing the most common grips I ended up with, there might be others yet to be discovered.

1. Reverse Grip:

The blade is upside down and your fingers wrap the tsuba. Ideal for a kind of Kage no Kamae, hiding the blade behind the back. Can be done with left hand also.

Important: depending on the size of the blade, it is possible to bend the arm a little so that the tip of the sword is not injuring your back or your armpit while changing the position of the sword.

This grip allows the body to move freely and/or to change hand easily as the main part of the tsuka is free. Changing hands is important.

You can also use this grip when hitting the opponent with the pommel of the sword. In that case the blade is supported by the arm covering it. It is like giving a Tsuki with the kashira.

2. Thrusting at short distance:

When thrusting with your body behind the blade is flat, palm up. The following pictures show the same grip from above and under. As I have small hands it is easier for me to only use the forefinger but it can be done with a grip 2 fingers and 2 fingers.

Please note that on the pictures above the blade is the extension of the hand. It is like a sixth finger.

You can use either the right hand or the left hand. The Ken is used like a hanbô and change side/hand in the movements.

This grip can also be used to slam uke’s body, head, leg or weapon in turning movement of the body.

3. Yubi Ippon Jûbun:

This is the most common grip that comes naturally because of our habits in Japanese swordmanship. The forefinger usually supported by the Tsuba keep sliding up towards the blade. I thought is was a mistake and tried to correct it until sensei said that finger positioning was important.

The extended forefinger gives more precision and power to your movements when thrusting , deflecting, or blocking.

4. Yubi Nippon Jûbun:

This grip is similar to the previous one but is more stable in case of hard encounter. I discovered that I was using both. Don’t think too much, let your body flow do it for you.

I hope that these notes willficial help you. I do not think these are the only Kenwonigiru that can be done with the Ken but they cover many possibilities. I remind you that these are not “official bujinkan waza”, but the result of my recent personal training and ideas.

As this is “ji an nen” feel free to develop your own ideas and thoughts during the jyanen dedicated to Jian Nen.*

*for the newcomers please my previous post “Jyanen or Jian Nen”

http://kumafr.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/jyanen-or-jian-nen/

Bujinkan Tasmania

Duncan StewartFebruary 14, 2013

From BUJINKAN TASMANIA by Duncan Stewart

Bujinkan Tasmania

The Bujinkan Tasmania Dojo will commence training from October 2013.
This is a page from the proposed Bujinkan Tasmania Dojo website. The site will be on-line later in the year.
Classes for Adults and Children will be available.
I look forward to returning back home to Tasmania and training in Budo with friends.
Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu.
Duncan