The use of the sword on Okinawa

  

Reading again Joe Swift’s book “Itosu Anko”, In the first section, The Te of Shuri, I am taken by his point there was a long tradition of Japanese sword on Okinawa. Much of it seems to be variations of Jingen Ryu (Ko-Jingen Ryu) and that those arts had an impact on the development of Te.

 

He goes into detail explaining the sword use on old Okinawa.

 

Among his contentions is that a Jingen Ryu principle (2) Have complete faith in your first attack; if you  need a second attack you have already lost.”  Then mentioning that principle might be behind the te saying of Ichigeki Hissatsu (one strike, certain kill) or perhaps Ikken Hissatsu (one fist, certain kill). My only point here is that could show an influence of the use and training of the sword on older Okinawa.

 

Then Joe mentions another possibility.

 

Tategi-uchi is the fundamental practice in Jigen-ryu. Practitioners repeatedly strike a hard wooden post embedded in the ground using a wooden sword. The target is approached from a distance of around 9 meters, and then struck repeatedly on the left and right sides while screaming “Ei!” Tategi-uchi teaches distance, timing, correct grip, use of the hips, and speed.

 

In the Edo period Jigen-ryu adepts were instructed to strike the tategi “3000 times in the morning, 8000 times at night.”

 

That could have influenced the development of the makiwara for striking practice.

 

Interesting things to consider. We have Joe Swift for writing about them?

 

Now I really know nothing about the Japanese Sword of the different styles that have developed.

 

Just for a bit of a personal reality check I sought out Jigen Ryu on You Tube.

 

Togo Jigen ryu in Kagoshima

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfAaAdzmF7o

A kendo class in 1957 and a short demonstration of Jigen Ryu Heiho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjnJG75s0pM

 

They are of course what they are, not proof but something to consider nevertheless

 

I could not find a video of Tategi-uchi, striking the post with a wooden sword. But I found  something similar.

 

Nodachi Jigen Ryu developed in Kyushu during the 16th century, one of the elements practiced in this traditional Kenjutsu school is to cut against a vertical pole.

 

Typical is also the high version of the Hasso-no-kamae (with the sword held vertically above the shoulder on the right side).

This is the closest a video of Nodachi striking today.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHKKEbxSZx0

 

I do suggest you will gain a great deal by acquiring and reading Joe Swift’s book “Itosu Anko”.

And Joe Swift snuck in here too.