Kukishinden Ryu

Naginata Jutsu

Kamae

Hasso no Kamae

Legs as in Ichimonji (left leg forward), Naginata is held vertically with the right hand
holding the naginata just below the senranmaki (binding) and the left hand holds the
shaft at about waist level. The shaft rests against the inside of the right thigh and shin
as well as the inside of the right upper arm (near the elbow). This version of the
kamae is when unarmoured. If wearing armour, the right elbow points backwards with
the upper arm horizontal with the shoulder.

Note: To change from hidari to migi kamae, move the naginata forward by
transferring the weight forward over the knees then step froward with the right leg to
the right side of the naginata, change hands then step back with the left, drawing the
naginata back. While doing this it is important that you move around the weapon and
that the weapon stays on balance and doesn’t wobble or deviate from pointing at Uke.

Seigan no Kamae

Legs as in Ichimonji (left hand forward), naginata is held with the left arm bent and
the elbow tucked into the left side at the hip. The right hand holds the naginata at the
right hip. The point of the naginata aims at Uke’s eyes and the body is turned side-on
with the naginata flat across the hips.

Hira Ichimonji no Kamae

Knees are bent with the feet pointing slightly outwards and the body faces Uke. The
naginata is held in both hands about level with koe with the hand nearest the blade
held palm-up. The naginata is held horizontal. Pull the elbows back slightly to
straighten the back. If you just let the arms hang down forward then this will pull the
boy forwards off balance.

Ichimonji no Kamae

As Hira Ichimonji no Kamae but you are side-on to Uke with the forward hand facing
up.

Walking with the weapon

The Kukishinden ryu method of walking with a weapon is as follows:

(Hidari hasso with naginata is used for this example but any kamae and any weapon
is applicable)

From kamae, Transfer your weight onto the front leg then, pushing of with the ball of
the right foot, lift your right leg up and bring it down behind your left heel (heels
together) with the toes pointing 90 degrees to the right. Then lift your left foot up and
extend it forward, putting it down heel first into kamae once more. When using this
walking method it is important to keep your weapon stable. The weapon should be in
contact with as many points as possible so that it is under your control. With naginata
in hasso, the shaft should remain against your right leg as at all times during the walk
but without causing the weapon to bob up and down. Having this control means that
you can use your leg to affect a change of direction or kamae. When wearing daisho
and using a large weapon such as yari or naginata, you can use the swords as another
point of contact for the shaft of the weapon.