Kanshin Ryu Jiu-jutsu:
Niten Ichi-ryu. A style that uses two swords, this is the technique started by Miyamoto Musashi, author of A Book of Five Rings.
Goju Ryu from Okinawa. His breath control is amazing. The Berserker, my weight training coach, is also a practitioner, and said this is Tensho kata, inu ibuki (soft power breathing):
Jigen Ryu. Famous for their kiai (shout), which is referred to as Enkyo (Monkey scream):
Delightful to see Niten-ryu in practice.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I have never seen it in person as well. I enjoyed it immensely.
DeleteThis is one of those things that without a lot of context, doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I'm sure there is a rhyme and a reason to it all, including the bizarre monkey scream while slapping a pole with a stick, but it alludes me without more knowledge. One thing that did amaze me was the absolute silence of the crowd. I can't think of an event I have gone to with that many people watching that was absolutely quiet.
ReplyDeleteEd, if I had to hazard a guess on the shout (Kiai) from my own practice, it is intended to both encourage me as the shouter and put my opponent into disarray. I can say that in my own experience, a good kiai and a foot stomp can force my opponent to react by flinching or stepping back.
DeleteAs noted in my response to Nylon12, I suspect it is a combination of Japanese culture and the fact that everyone there is likely a martial artist or someone highly interested in them. It attracts quite a different crowd than perhaps other events.
And here I thought the polearms were something only used by women superheros. Interesting that it's a real thing. That's where the video clips are especially helpful.
ReplyDeleteThe demonstration appears to be at a good size venue and with a fairly large crowd. Are these disciplines popular in Japan?
Leigh, in an interesting twist of history, naginata was concerned a martial art which was "acceptable" to train women in, and I believe most of the schools I have seen there are largely or completely female. There was even a title for them, onna-bugeisha. Historically there some very famous examples of women wielding naginata in defense of their castles.
DeleteIn terms of popularity, I think it depends on the martial art. Kendo, for example, is very popular, and when we were training at our previous facility there would also be high school groups there. Open hand (karate, jiu jutsu, etc.) are as well I think, filling the same space that these arts fill here for young people especially.
Kobudo (old arts) are a little different in that they can be much more "set" in their ways. They can also operate under older systems of training, which might not be as flexible as young people like. And the technical skills to master can take years, which may be beyond the interest of some people.
Videos really help TB, as Ed noted the silence.....erie....in this country some yahoo would make themselves heard somehow. Screaming can boost strength and start the adrenaline rush......useful when your life is on the line. Most interesting effort this day sir......:)
ReplyDeleteNylon12, I think what helps with the silence portion is the fact that 1) It is Japan, and they are just generally more respectful; and 2) I would suspect most of the crowd watching are either martial artists themselves or aficionados and have great respect for those demonstrating.
DeleteThe concept of the shout - kiai - is, so far as I know, fairly important in many if not most Japanese martial arts. Historically there was a system devoted to it - kiaijutsu. Legendarily, people were able to stop others in their tracks or even kill with only their shout.