Jigen Ryu

[Mekugi]

One of my favorite demonstrators, the Jigen Ryu, Kyoto Branch. The unwitting are distracted by the shrill screams and the seemingly endless cutting, but just imagine that coming at your head

The videos were taken by me on on May 5th, 2006 at the annual Nagoya Castle Martial Arts Demonstration. I was stumbling around at the beginning of some to get the right angle, so they may appear clipped a bit.

Enjoy!

THWAKA-THWAKA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5dAUfTQjSw

Kenjutsu kata (short and sweet). You can really see the application of the kihon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvNm3sQwcv8

Against the spear, again the Kihon really comes out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m3LHFuY3J8

[Gunyo Kogusoku]

This is Yakumaru Jigen-ryu (薬丸自顕流 ), also known as Nodachi Jigen-ryu (野太刀自顕流 ).

Good stuff!

[D. Jordan]

So the idea is, scream like a woman and swing the sword like you are trying to kill a mouse with a broom? hmmm... I think my grandmother made up this ryu.

[Mekugi]

So the idea is, scream like a woman and swing the sword like you are trying to kill a mouse with a broom? hmmm... I think my grandmother made up this ryu.

Crazy granny ryu. They are really awesome though- they have a whole bunch of different training techniques and would surely run over most like a steamroller.

[Gunyo Kogusoku]

So the idea is, scream like a woman and swing the sword like you are trying to kill a mouse with a broom? hmmm... I think my grandmother made up this ryu.

No, try some very angry Satsuma Kenshi (That's modern day Kagoshima province). Imagine a Satsuma kenshi running at you with a very sharp nodachi (Not a training bokuto), yelling like a banshee while hacking you to pieces. I think it will be dripping down your trouser leg.

Have some respect for systems that have been around for probably longer than your family's lineage.

[D. Jordan]

I don't doubt that. If it was coming straight at you I'm sure it would be more unnerving than watching it on my pc... Still, the high-pitched screaming hits my funny bone.

I watched a kendo demo in Annapolis with some of my aikijj buddies. It was all we could do to not fall off the bleachers listening to them scream like women and run towards each other, smacking each other on the head.

Russ, you wouldn't happen to be sitting on any ono-ha itto ryu demo's would you? I have a serious interest in learning this branch but can't find anyone qualified to teach it. There don't seem to be many schools for this outside of Japan. thanks-Dave

[TonyU]

Russ,
Excuse my ignorance. Are the clips of the sword arts and jujutsu you posted koryu?
Very interesting. Thanks for posting I've enjoyed them very much.
Any literature you would recommned for reading?

[Mekugi]

Russ, you wouldn't happen to be sitting on any ono-ha itto ryu demo's would you? I have a serious interest in learning this branch but can't find anyone qualified to teach it. There don't seem to be many schools for this outside of Japan. thanks-Dave

Hmm...let me check. I am not sure that I have them. I'll keep digging!

-Russ

[Mekugi]

Russ,
Excuse my ignorance. Are the clips of the sword arts and jujutsu you posted koryu?
Very interesting. Thanks for posting I've enjoyed them very much.
Any literature you would recommned for reading?

Yeah! They sure are.

Glad you liked. The best books in English to read is our very own Ellis Amdur's Old School and of course Skoss, Friday and Draeger. Serge Mol's book is okay, but totally read the others before cracking that.

[Musubi Dojo]

Great clips! I enjoyed them very much!

I have an uneducated question;
During the striking drill in the first clip I saw some of the demonstartors switch back and forth on what looked to be a downward cut from one side of the head and then the other. Other participants seemed to strike straight down from the centre of their foreheads (What I'd call sho men uchi from my Aikido days) Is there a difference in the actual cutting technique being applied, like a very vertical kesa giri or is it all the same thing?

I have very little knowledge of sword work and none of koryu, so please excuse me if I'm missing something obvious.

Cheers
c

[Mekugi]

During the striking drill in the first clip I saw some of the demonstartors switch back and forth on what looked to be a downward cut from one side of the head and then the other. Other participants seemed to strike straight down from the centre of their foreheads (What I'd call sho men uchi from my Aikido days) Is there a difference in the actual cutting technique being applied, like a very vertical kesa giri or is it all the same thing?

I have very little knowledge of sword work and none of koryu, so please excuse me if I'm missing something obvious.

Cheers
c

I believe the starting posture is called Tombo (dragonfly- commonly called Hasso no Kamae) or something and they are supposed to return to that on both sides before striking down in "kesa" at the target. At least that is what I think they are supposed to do.

[TonyU]

Yeah! They sure are.

Glad you liked. The best books in English to read is our very own Ellis Amdur's Old School and of course Skoss, Friday and Draeger. Serge Mol's book is okay, but totally read the others before cracking that.

Ah, excellent! I just got Mr. Amdur's book. I'm finishing one book, before I start reading his.
Thanks again.

[Musubi Dojo]

I believe the starting posture is called Tombo (dragonfly- commonly called Hasso no Kamae) or something and they are supposed to return to that on both sides before striking down in "kesa" at the target. At least that is what I think they are supposed to do.

Cool, thanks!
c

[Brian R. VanCise]

Thanks Russ!

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

[don]

I don't doubt that. If it was coming straight at you I'm sure it would be more unnerving than watching it on my pc... Still, the high-pitched screaming hits my funny bone.

The constant noise, yeah. But a single, concentrated shout is very unnerving.