curriculum-ryoutoujutsushoden
Ryoutoujutsu Shoden
The mechanics of Ryoutoujutsu are a combination of the mechanics of Tantoujutsu, Shoutoujutsu and Daitoujutsu. Training and instruction in these areas can greatly improve the learning of Ryoutoujutsu. The main difficulty of using two blades is being able to let the body use them autonomously. This requires significant time and training.
The fundamentals of Ryoutoujutsu are split into three levels; shoden, chuuden and jouden or beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Ryoutoujutsu shoden is made up of 18 forms split into three categories; circumlateral postures [happoukamae] (八方構), compounding cuts [fukugiri] (複切) and receiving counter attacks [jugeigeki] (受迎撃). These three areas are called Ryoutou Roppou Happougamae, Ryoutou Roppou Fukugiri and Ryoutou Roppou Jugeigeki respectively.
These forms are designed to reinforce muscle memory and practice good martial habits.
Prerequisites for Tantoujutsu Shoden are:
- Taihenjutsu Shoden
- Shoutoujutsu Shoden
- Daitoujutsu Shoden
Happougamae (八方構) are postures or biomechanical structures of the body for specific use in both unarmed and armed combat. The kamae of Ryoutoujutsu are comprised of three parts, the kamae of the body, the kamae of the lead arm (dominant arm) and the kamae of the rear arm (ancillary arm). In Ryoutoujutsu the weapons need to work independently from muscle memory to attack from multiple directions and with different timing.
The foundational kamae of Ryoutoujutsu focus on covering the largest area or directions of attack. Unlike the usual kamae, which are one form, the kamae of Ryoutoujutsu have a base kamae of the lead or dominant weapon and six variations with the rear or ancillary weapon. This becomes the happougamae or circumlateral (all around) posture.
[三] Happouseigan no Kamae - 八方青眼の構 (Circumlateral True Eye Posture): The lead leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the rear leg facing away toward the path of escape or evasion. Lead sword is held in the lead hand in front in せseigan no kamae; second sword is held either any variation of the six kamae. Same for the other side.
Ryoutoujutsu Shoden Jugeigeki - 両刀術初迎受迎撃
[三] Jōdan Jugeigeki - 上段受迎撃 (High Counter): From happougedan no kamae, the opponent cuts in with kiri kesa. Receive with the lead blade, then follow up with a cut from the rear blade.
[四] Gedan Jugeigeki - 下段受迎撃 (Low Counter): From happoujoudan no kamae, the opponent thrusts in with tsuki. Receive with the rear blade, then follow up with a cut from the lead blade.
Jugeigeki are relatively simple, but difficulty is compounded by the amount of blades in use. If the opponent is attack with a longsword, then three blades need to be accounted for. If the opponent attacks with longsword and shortsword, four blades need to be accounted for. This is why the happougamae and fukugiri are important to program into the muscle memory, because the human brain doesn't have enough processing power to manage all the combat stimulus in action. In Ryoutoujutsu, techniques need to be pre-loaded to the muscle memory, which can only be achieved by consistent training.
The fundamentals of Ryoutoujutsu are split into three levels; shoden, chuuden and jouden or beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Ryoutoujutsu shoden is made up of 18 forms split into three categories; circumlateral postures [happoukamae] (八方構), compounding cuts [fukugiri] (複切) and receiving counter attacks [jugeigeki] (受迎撃). These three areas are called Ryoutou Roppou Happougamae, Ryoutou Roppou Fukugiri and Ryoutou Roppou Jugeigeki respectively.
These forms are designed to reinforce muscle memory and practice good martial habits.
Prerequisites for Tantoujutsu Shoden are:
- Taihenjutsu Shoden
- Shoutoujutsu Shoden
- Daitoujutsu Shoden
Ryoutoujutsu Shoden Happougamae - 両刀術初伝八方構
Happougamae (八方構) are postures or biomechanical structures of the body for specific use in both unarmed and armed combat. The kamae of Ryoutoujutsu are comprised of three parts, the kamae of the body, the kamae of the lead arm (dominant arm) and the kamae of the rear arm (ancillary arm). In Ryoutoujutsu the weapons need to work independently from muscle memory to attack from multiple directions and with different timing.
The foundational kamae of Ryoutoujutsu focus on covering the largest area or directions of attack. Unlike the usual kamae, which are one form, the kamae of Ryoutoujutsu have a base kamae of the lead or dominant weapon and six variations with the rear or ancillary weapon. This becomes the happougamae or circumlateral (all around) posture.
[一] Happougedan no Kamae - 八方下段の構 (Circumlateral Low Posture): The lead leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the rear leg facing away toward the path of escape or evasion. Lead sword is held in the lead hand in front in gedan no kamae; second sword is held either any variation of the six kamae. Same for the other side.
[二] Happouchuudan no Kamae - 八方中段の構 (Circumlateral Mid Posture): The lead leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the rear leg facing away toward the path of escape or evasion. Lead sword is held in the lead hand in front in chuudan no kamae; second sword is held either any variation of the six kamae. Same for the other side.
[二] Happouchuudan no Kamae - 八方中段の構 (Circumlateral Mid Posture): The lead leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the rear leg facing away toward the path of escape or evasion. Lead sword is held in the lead hand in front in chuudan no kamae; second sword is held either any variation of the six kamae. Same for the other side.
[四] Happoujoudan no Kamae - 八方上段の構 (Circumlateral High Posture): The rear leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the lead leg is back facing forward on the diagonal. Lead sword is held in the lead hand up high in joudan no kamae; second sword is held either any variation of the six kamae. Same for the other side.
[五] Happouhassou no Kamae - 八方八相の構 (Circumlateral Eight Aspects Posture): The rear leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the lead leg is back facing forward on the diagonal. Lead sword is held in the lead hand to the chest in hassou no kamae; second sword is held either any variation of the six kamae. Same for the other side.
[六] Happoukuji no Kamae - 八方九字の構 (Circumlateral Figure Nine Posture): The rear leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the lead leg is back facing forward on the diagonal. Lead sword is held in the lead hand to the rear in kuji no kamae; second sword is held either any variation of the six kamae. Same for the other side.
Ryoutoujutsu postures embody the lessons of daitoujutsu, shoutoujutsu and tantoujutsu. Instead of self-contained postures, the kamae of ryoutoujutsu are rather variations on the postures found in shoutoujutsu and daitoujutsu. These kamae are designed to take advantage of the varying lengths of both blades and the ability to stagger attacks from either side to overwhelm the opponent. These kamae require a great deal of practice to imprint onto the muscle memory to use effectively in combat.
[五] Fukugiri Hasami - 複切鋏 (Scissor Cut): From happouseigan no kamae, cut with ura kiri ichimonji with both blades. Same for left and right.
[六] Fukutsuki - 複突 (Compound Thrust): From happouchuudan no kamae, thrust with the rear blade, then follow up with a thrust from the lead blade. Same for left and right.
Fukugiri are not complex, but require a certain amount of experience and muscle memory to use efficiently in combat. These compounding cuts can be done from various kamae, but practicing these basic forms can provide valuable training experience for developing a feel for the flow of two swords.
[六] Happoukuji no Kamae - 八方九字の構 (Circumlateral Figure Nine Posture): The rear leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the lead leg is back facing forward on the diagonal. Lead sword is held in the lead hand to the rear in kuji no kamae; second sword is held either any variation of the six kamae. Same for the other side.
Ryoutoujutsu postures embody the lessons of daitoujutsu, shoutoujutsu and tantoujutsu. Instead of self-contained postures, the kamae of ryoutoujutsu are rather variations on the postures found in shoutoujutsu and daitoujutsu. These kamae are designed to take advantage of the varying lengths of both blades and the ability to stagger attacks from either side to overwhelm the opponent. These kamae require a great deal of practice to imprint onto the muscle memory to use effectively in combat.
Ryoutoujutsu Shoden Fukugiri - 両刀術初伝複切
Fukugiri (複切) refers six basic techniques (waza) [技] that are designed to align the body and teach proper weapon mechanics. In Ryoutoujutsu, both blades are being used together to strike at the opponent. This means that the blades need to be used in a certain way to avoid striking each other.
These techniques are practiced with two cuts to learn the flow of using two blades.
These techniques are practiced with two cuts to learn the flow of using two blades.
[一] Fukugiri Jouge - 複切上下 (High and low Cut): From happoujoudan no kamae, cut down with kiri age using the lead blade, then cut up with kiri sage using the rear blade.
[二] Fukugiri Shajou - 複切斜上 (Double Oblique Cut): From happoujoudan no kamae, cut down with kiri kesa using the lead blade, then cut up with kiri jouhou using the rear blade. Same for left and right.
[三] Fukugiri Nimonji - 複切二文字 (Double Horizontal Cut): From happouhassou no kamae, cut horizontally across with the lead blade, then cut horizontally across with the rear blade. Same for the left and right.
[四] Fukugiri Shage - 複突斜下 (Double Upward Diagonal Cut): From happoukuji no kamae, cut with kiri jouhou using the lead blade from behind, then cut down with kiri kesa using the rear blade. Same for left and right.
[二] Fukugiri Shajou - 複切斜上 (Double Oblique Cut): From happoujoudan no kamae, cut down with kiri kesa using the lead blade, then cut up with kiri jouhou using the rear blade. Same for left and right.
[三] Fukugiri Nimonji - 複切二文字 (Double Horizontal Cut): From happouhassou no kamae, cut horizontally across with the lead blade, then cut horizontally across with the rear blade. Same for the left and right.
[四] Fukugiri Shage - 複突斜下 (Double Upward Diagonal Cut): From happoukuji no kamae, cut with kiri jouhou using the lead blade from behind, then cut down with kiri kesa using the rear blade. Same for left and right.
[五] Fukugiri Hasami - 複切鋏 (Scissor Cut): From happouseigan no kamae, cut with ura kiri ichimonji with both blades. Same for left and right.
[六] Fukutsuki - 複突 (Compound Thrust): From happouchuudan no kamae, thrust with the rear blade, then follow up with a thrust from the lead blade. Same for left and right.
Fukugiri are not complex, but require a certain amount of experience and muscle memory to use efficiently in combat. These compounding cuts can be done from various kamae, but practicing these basic forms can provide valuable training experience for developing a feel for the flow of two swords.
Jugeigeki (受迎撃) are more advanced counter attacks designed to intercept and receive an attack, then follow up with a counter attack.
[一] Tsuki Jugeigeki - 突受迎撃 (Thrust Receiving Counter): From happougedan no kamae, the opponents cuts down with kiri age. Thrust into the jakkin with the lead blade, then follow up with a cut from the rear blade.
[二] Age Jugeigeki - 上受迎撃 (Above Counter): From happoujoudan no kamae, the opponent cuts in with kiri sage. Cut down onto the nagare with the lead blade, then follow up with a cut from the rear blade.
[三] Jōdan Jugeigeki - 上段受迎撃 (High Counter): From happougedan no kamae, the opponent cuts in with kiri kesa. Receive with the lead blade, then follow up with a cut from the rear blade.
[四] Gedan Jugeigeki - 下段受迎撃 (Low Counter): From happoujoudan no kamae, the opponent thrusts in with tsuki. Receive with the rear blade, then follow up with a cut from the lead blade.
[五] Seigan Jugeigeki - 青眼受迎撃 (True Eye Counter): From happouseigan no kamae, the opponent cuts in with kiri jouhou. Receive with the lead blade, then follow up with a cut from the lead blade.
[六] Kirisage Jugeigeki - 蹴下受迎撃 (Low Cut Counter): From happouseigan no kamae, the opponent cuts in with kiri age. Receive with fukugiri hasami, as the opponent kicks in, receive with the rear blade and counter cut.
Review and Conclusion
Ryoutoujutsu is a foundational module that teaches the basics of duel wielding two blades however Ryoutoujutsu is not a basic course. The ability to wield two blades is dependent on the ability to wield one blade effectively. Like higher level courses, Ryoutoujutsu is part technical and part tactical. Muscle memory plays a large role in wielding two blades and only with consistent practice can these movements be programmed into the body.