curriculum-tantoujutsushoden
Tantoujutsu Shoden
Tantoujutsu (短刀術) is a sub-specialisation of kenjutsu (刀術) focusing on the use of the Japanese dagger. Tantoujutsu shoden is a foundational module that teaches the basic principles and concepts of a short Japanese knife or dagger.Although the tantou shares the same mechanics as the daitou and shoutou, it's use and doctrine focus on ambush and opportunity. Unlike the daitou or shoutou, it cannot be used defensively to receive attacks and can only be used to attack or counter attack. Taijutsu (体術) is a critical aspect of tantoujutsu.
The fundamentals of tantoujutsu are split into three levels; shoden, chuuden and jouden or beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Tantoujutsu shoden is made up of 18 forms split into three categories; postures [kamae] (構), thrusting [tsuki] (突) and counter attacking [geigeki] (迎撃). These three areas are called Tantou Roppou Kamae, Tantou Roppou Tsuki and Tantou Roppou Geigeki respectively.
These forms are designed to reinforce muscle memory and practice good martial habits.
Prerequisites for Tantoujutsu Shoden are:
- Taihenjutsu Shoden
Tantoujutsu Shoden Kamae - 短刀術初伝構
Kamae (構) are postures or biomechanical structures of the body for specific use in both unarmed and armed combat. The kamae of tantoujutsu are designed to be hidden and represent a natural or resting posture.
[一] Shizen no Kamae - 自然の構 (Natural Posture): Feet are parallel and shoulder width apart. Tantou is held by the side and hidden from view.
[二] Kenkyo no Kamae - 謙虚の構 (Humble Posture): Feet are parallel and shoulder width apart. Rear hand is clasped over lead hand in front, forearm and hand hiding the tantou.
[二] Kenkyo no Kamae - 謙虚の構 (Humble Posture): Feet are parallel and shoulder width apart. Rear hand is clasped over lead hand in front, forearm and hand hiding the tantou.
[四] Shusei no Kamae - 守勢の構 (Defensive Posture): Feet are parallel and shoulder width apart. Arms are crossed and the tantou is resting behind the armpit, hidden from sight.
[五] Seishi no Kamae - 青志の構 (True Intent Posture): The lead leg is back facing the direction of attack and the rear foot is forward facing the opponent. The tantou is close against the lead leg, hidden from sight.
[六] Rishi no Kamae - 裏志の構 (Hidden Intent Posture): The lead leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the rear leg facing away toward the path of escape or evasion. The tantou is close against the rear leg, hidden from sight.
These postures imitate natural human body language and hide the tantou, ready for use in ambush or surprise. Unless using kyojitsu (deception), the tantou should remain hidden to retain tactical advantage. These postures are vulnerable to attack and should not be used in combat. The tantou is not a combat weapon.
[五] Tsuki Sage - 切下 (Thrusting from Below): From rishi no kamae, in the omote grip thrust up. For ura grip, slash up then thrust down.
[六] Tsuki - 突 (Thrust): From seishi no kamae, in the omote grip thrust forward. For ura grip, slash across then thrust forward.
Whether in the ura or omote grip, the tantou should remain hidden until the last moment of attack. If a thrust from any kamae or grip cannot be completed in a single thrust, feint with a slash to set up the thrust. These attacks are done against an opponent who is not expecting attack. The tantou is s weapon of opportunity and not designed for combat.
[六] Rishi no Kamae - 裏志の構 (Hidden Intent Posture): The lead leg is facing forward toward the opponent and the rear leg facing away toward the path of escape or evasion. The tantou is close against the rear leg, hidden from sight.
These postures imitate natural human body language and hide the tantou, ready for use in ambush or surprise. Unless using kyojitsu (deception), the tantou should remain hidden to retain tactical advantage. These postures are vulnerable to attack and should not be used in combat. The tantou is not a combat weapon.
Tantoujutsu Shoden Tsuki - 大刀術初伝突
Tsuki (突) refers six basic techniques (waza) [技] that are designed to align the body and teach proper weapon mechanics. The tantou can be used for either slashing (kiri) or thrusting (tsuki), but unlike the daitou or shoutou is most effective in the thrust.
The tantou can be held in a fore or reverse grip, this is the omote (overt) and ura (covert), as the reverse grip can hide the blade behind the forearm even in plain sight. The six waza can be done with either omote or ura grips, however depending on the kamae and main hand, these attacks can be direct (tenteki) or indirect (kansetsuteki). Tenteki attacks are a single thrust, kansetsuteki attacks are a feint followed by a thrust.
The tantou can be held in a fore or reverse grip, this is the omote (overt) and ura (covert), as the reverse grip can hide the blade behind the forearm even in plain sight. The six waza can be done with either omote or ura grips, however depending on the kamae and main hand, these attacks can be direct (tenteki) or indirect (kansetsuteki). Tenteki attacks are a single thrust, kansetsuteki attacks are a feint followed by a thrust.
[一] Tsuki Age - 突上 (Thrusting from Above): From shizen no kamae, with the omote grip thrust up and slash down. Opposite for ura grip, slash then thrust.
[二] Tsuki Kesa - 突袈裟 (Thrusting the Stole): From shusei no kamae, in the omote grip slash across then thrust. For ura grip, just thrust.
[三] Tsuki Ichimonji - 突一文字 (Thrusting Horizontally): From tsuyoki no kamae, in the omote grip slash across then thrust. For ura grip, just thrust.
[四] Tsuki Jouhou - 突上方 (Thrusting Diagonally Upward): From kenkyo no kamae, in the omote grip slash diagonally upward then thrust. For ura grip, just thrust.
[二] Tsuki Kesa - 突袈裟 (Thrusting the Stole): From shusei no kamae, in the omote grip slash across then thrust. For ura grip, just thrust.
[三] Tsuki Ichimonji - 突一文字 (Thrusting Horizontally): From tsuyoki no kamae, in the omote grip slash across then thrust. For ura grip, just thrust.
[四] Tsuki Jouhou - 突上方 (Thrusting Diagonally Upward): From kenkyo no kamae, in the omote grip slash diagonally upward then thrust. For ura grip, just thrust.
[五] Tsuki Sage - 切下 (Thrusting from Below): From rishi no kamae, in the omote grip thrust up. For ura grip, slash up then thrust down.
[六] Tsuki - 突 (Thrust): From seishi no kamae, in the omote grip thrust forward. For ura grip, slash across then thrust forward.
Whether in the ura or omote grip, the tantou should remain hidden until the last moment of attack. If a thrust from any kamae or grip cannot be completed in a single thrust, feint with a slash to set up the thrust. These attacks are done against an opponent who is not expecting attack. The tantou is s weapon of opportunity and not designed for combat.
Geigeki (迎撃) are basic counter attacks designed to intercept and receive a surprise attack. These techniques are all done from shizen no kamae, but can be done from any of the kamae from the tantou kamae. Geigeki are counter cuts, because the tantou does not have a tsuba (hand guard) and cannot effectively intercept attacks.
[一] Tsuki Geigeki - 突迎撃 (Thrust Counter): From shizen no kamae. Opponent thrusts in with tsuki age, evade the slash and lunge forward with the lead foot then thrust into the lead jakkin (area between shoulder and torso).
[二] Age Geigeki - 起転迎撃 (Above Counter): From shizen no kamae. The opponent thrusts in tsuki sage, shift to the side and cut down to the nagare (forearm).
[三] Jōdan Geigeki - 上段迎撃 (High Counter): From shizen no kamae. The opponent cuts in diagonally with tsuki kesa, shift to the side and bring the blade up, receiving the cut.
[四] Gedan Geigeki - 下段迎撃 (Low Counter): From shizen no kamae. The opponent thrusts in with tsuki jouhou, shift to the side and receive the blade from above.
[五] Seigan Geigeki - 青眼迎撃 (True Eye Counter): From shizen no kamae. The opponent thrusts in with tsuki ichimonji. Shift back and receive with blade with the tantou.
[六] Kerisage Geigeki - 蹴下迎撃 (Rising Kick Counter): From shizen no kamae. The opponent thrusts in with a tsuki then follows with a kick, receive with the tantou then shift aside and kick up.
Review and Conclusion
Tantoujutsu shoden is a foundational introduction to the mechanics of a very short bladed weapon. The mechanics of the tantou is very similar to the daitou, but the doctrine and purpose is completely the opposite. Where the daitou and shotou are difficult to conceal or use in a surprise attack, the tantou excels at striking from a hidden position. These techniques teach effective attack with a concealed weapon to inform students of the danger and difficulty in dealing with hidden blades. Tantou techniques should not be taken lightly and these lessons should serve as a reminder of the frail mortality of the human body.