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Middle Steps
Itou: 1 Power
The misnomer is
“Ichiriki”
Note:
Training at the original Rembukan Dojo under Shimizu, Takaji Sensei, then the headmaster of the Shindo Muso Ryu (SMRJ), I
was taught that this kata was called “Ichi Riki” or one power.
In Japanese elementary school, the characters for “chikara -power” and “tou - sword” are taught to second graders. Any cursory
glance at the kanji selected in naming this kata is “Itou” or one sword not “Ichi Riki or one power.
In the original SMRJ denshyo, the documentation of tradition’s scrolls, the kata is written as “Itou” or one sword.
With the publication of the Jodo Kyohan the authors acknowledged that “Itou” is being verbalized as “Ichi Riki”. They
understood and chose to promote the misnomer for the sake of tradition. I should imagine that this was a collision in values at
a time when tradition superseded academic integrity.
Kanji can be read in different ways, especially when placed in conjunction with other characters. This isn’t the case here. These
are separate characters with separate meanings and shouldn’t be misconstrued.
Prior to his death, Kaminoda, Tsunemori ‘created a publication, notating the error. He decided that going forward his group
would “correctly” endorse the name of the kata as “Itou”.
My personal take on this mini-controversy is that this is a great example of Japanese culture. Ultimately the respect for a
tradition and the great teachers that preceded us sometimes uncomfortably and inevitably collides with the desire for academic
integrity.
Academic scrutiny must be as objective and free of bias as is possible. Training in a tradition as rich as the SMRJ also provides
a rich texture that no one would want to dismantle or tarnish knowingly. Both tradition and historical accuracy should be
embraced, encouraged and understood. This challenge will continue to arise as more academic research could promote
additional controversies.
We at the Beikoku Rembukan have decided that we should use the name “Itou” in our writings and go-rei. We appreciate the
events surrounding this misnomer and believe that this flaw adds richness and texture to the history of what we are studying.
We encourage additional academic pursuit of Shindo Muso Ryu’s long history.
Chudan
Itou (Ichi Riki) Pages: 130-133
(Note: Go Rei is now omitted as a written instruction as is Osame)
1. -
2. U: Take taito position.
3. J: Starting from Tsune no Kamae, take Teijo position and take 3 steps forward angling left.
4. -
5. U: and J: Make a small bow (nod).
6. -
7. J: Commence with left foot moving forward with Ayumi Ashii. Bring the right foot to the left. [Explanation of the pivot is not given]
8. J: Take Tsune no Kamae. U: Step forward with left foot, then right foot.
9. U: Stepping forward with the left foot, thrust out at shidachi with the Tsukagashira to achieve the spacing for a draw and cut.
10. J: Step forward with the right foot, then left, then right foot on a right diagonal to avoid the sword cut; at the same time, lean forward and
turn to look at Uchidachi.
11. U: Stepping forward with the right foot, cut.
12. -
13. J: Twisting the hips, swing the jo overhead in a big circle striking Uchidachi’ s Kote.
14. U: Draw the right foot back to the left foot taking Jodan no Kamae. J: Step forward with the right foot and thrust to Hibara.
15. -
16. J: While keeping the josekki attached to the Hibara, step in with the right foot near to Uchidachi’ s right armpit and raise the left hand
overhead so the jo follows a line along the right shoulder.
17. U: Pivoting in towards jo on the left foot, cut at the neck. J: Pivoting in towards tachi on the left foot, draw the right foot back deeply and
strike Kasumi.
18. -
19. U: Drawing the left foot back to the left rear, fix posture. J: Demonstrate zanshin and Osame.
Ushirozue Ato:
Back Stick (Back)
Chudan
Ushirozue Ato Pages 148-151
1. -
2. J: From Tsune no Kamae draw the jo to the left and assume Monomi no Kamae.
3. –
4. –
5. U: Stepping from the left foot cut Shomen.
6. –
7. –
8. J: Take the Jo in hand while drawing the left foot back. Draw back the right foot, raise the jo in a big circle from the back to overhead and strike Kote.
9. U: Draw the right foot back into Hasso no Kamae. J: Step back with the right foot into Hikiotoshi no Kamae.
10. U: Step in with the right foot cut Shomen. J: Step out with the left foot, check the Uchidachi at Ganmen, twist the body to the left and apply Kuritsuke. (See page 130
– Ichi Riki)
11. –
12. –
13. –
14. –
15. J: Maintain Kuritsuke and bring out the right foo and lock the tachi down. U: Step back right, left, right taking Hasso no Kamae.
16. –
17. J: Bring jo back to the left into Hikiotoshi no Kamae.
18. –
19. U: Step in with the right foot and cut Shomen. J: Moving from the right foot, check Uchidachi at Ganmen, turn to the right so the body is at 90 degrees and raise the
jo overhead taking a stance as if in Tai Atari.
20. –
21. J: Leaning back with the upper body raise the josekki and lift up both of Tachi’s hands.
22. –
23. J: Moving the left foot, then right foot move directly in front of Aitei into the posture of Tai Atari.
24. J: execute Tai Atari and then drop into right Hikiotoshi no Kamae. U: Stepping back right, left, right, take hasso no Kamae.
25. –
26. U: Step forward with the right foot and take Chudan no Kamae.
27. –
28. J: Strike tachi down with Hikiotoshi Uchi.
29. U: Draw back the right foot.
30. J: Demonstrate Zanshin and Osame.
Kengome: Maai:
(Combative Distance)
Moving Inside Attack
Risking Being Cut
Chudan
Kengome Pages 158-161
1. -
2. -
3. U: Taking Wakigamae, close the ma-ai. J: In Tsune no Kamae, starting with the right foot, step in Ayumi Ashii to close the ma-ai.
4. -
5. U: From Wakigamae, attempt to cut using Gyakute-Kesagiri. J: At the instant of tachi’s attack, step with the left foot and at the same time
thrust the jo out towards Suigetsu.
6. U: Drawing back the right foot, take Hasso no Kamae. J: Without delay, draw back the right foot into Hikiotoshi no Kamae.
7. -
8. -
9. U: Stepping in with the right foot, cut Shomen. J: Stepping in with the left foot, check Uchidachi’ s movement at Ganmen, turn to the left
and execute Kuritsuke.
10. -
11. -
12. U: Drawing back the left foot, cut to Dou. J: Step in with the right foot, then immediately bring the left foot to the right to close the
distance; release the left thumb, thrust the josekki at Hibara. Draw the right foot back and block the tachi in the manner of Dobarai.
13. U: Drawing back the right foot, take Hasso no kamae. J: Drawing back the right foot, drop the josekki down directly to the front.
14. -
15. -
16. U: Stepping forward with the right foot, cut to the left Dou. J: Stepping to the right with the right, then left foot, strike the left kote.
17. -
18. U: Release the left hand, cut with right hand to Shidachi’ s neck.
19. J: Stepping with the right foot in front of the left foot, raise both hands over the head, drop the left knee to the floor, and from below
scoop up the tachi.
20. -
21. J: Standing up, step with the left foot and execute Kuritsuke. U: Drawing back the left foot, receive Kuritsuke.
22. U: Step with the left foot in an attempt to create sufficient ma-ai. J: Stepping in deeply with the left foot, close the distance to block
Uchidachi.
23. -
U: Step right, left, right, in Ayumi Ashii, and turn to face the opponent squarely. J: Execute Osame.
Rai Uchi:
Thunder Strike
Chudan
Raiuchi: Pages 170-171
1. -
2. U: Begin in Taito.
3. U: Close the ma-ai and grasp the Tsuka. J: Starting from the left foot, step in Ayumi Ashii to close the ma-ai;
Stepping in with the right foot, restrain tachi using the josekki to Ganmen.
4. -
5. J: Rotate the josekki downward and thrust Hibara.
6. J: Bringing the left hand to the right hand on the jo, bring the left foot to the right foot.
7. -
8. J: Gripping the end of the jo with the right hand, draw back the right foot.
9. -
10. U: Drawing back the right foot, draw the sword (batto). J: Drawing back the right foot, take Hikiotoshi no Kamae.
11. U: Stepping in with the right foot, cut Shomen. J: Stepping in with the left foot, restrain tachi’s movement at
Ganmen, step forward with the right foot, pivot on the right foot, turn the body toward the left, and execute
Kuritsuke.
12. -
13. -
14. -
15. -
16. -
17. -
18. U: Drawing back the left foot, take Hidari Hasso no Kamae. J: Step forward with the right foot, bring the left foot to
the right, then drawing back the right foot, raise the jo to the upper right.
19. U: Stepping out with the right foot, cut to Dou. J: Thrust to Hibara with the Josekki.
20. U: Draw back the left foot and turn square to Shijo. J: Lower the right hand and demonstrate zanshin. Osame.
Seigan:
True Eyes
Chuden
Seigan Pages 180-181
1. U: Starting in Taito, close the ma-ai, and place hand on the Tsuka. J: From Tsune no Kamae, close the ma-ai using
Ayumi Ashii.
2. -
3. -
4. J: Putting out the right hand, restrain Uchidachi at Ganmen.
5. J: Stepping out with the right foot, stop tachi at the right Kote.
6. U: Drawing back the right foot, draw the sword (batto).
7. J: Raising the right hand overhead, bring the left hand to shoulder height and take the entire jo in both hands.
8. J: Stepping in with the left foot, thrust to Hibara.
9. U: Stepping in slightly with the left foot, cut towards jo’s left Kote, dropping the upper body down.
10. J: Bringing the left foot back to the right foot, bring the jo vertical and draw it up against your body.
11. J: Using the left hand to rotate the jo outward, strike to Tento.
12. U: Without moving the upper body, bring the right foot to the left foot, then draw the left foot, move back, and face
the opponent.
13. -
14. J: Drawing back the left foot, take Honte no Kamae and demonstrate zanshin.
15. U: Stepping in with the right foot, cut the left kote. J: Bringing the left foot to the right, bring the jo to Hasso no
Kamae.
16. J: Stepping in with the right foot, strike to Suigetsu.
17. U: Drawing back with the left foot, face the opponent. J: Demonstrate zanshin. Osame