Wakizashi

[sung ho cheung]

As a novice to Japanese sword arts, I hesitate to ask these questions:
1. Are there specific katas for wakizashi?
2. Are they (the katas) not purely the province of the two-sword school(s) systems?
3. Is the use of a wakizashi (following a recognised kata) also a 'free' choice (or necessity) and not specifically related to a two-sword school(s) system?

4. I recently purchased a (basic level) katana from swordstore.com with which I have been learning aiki toho iai. I am curious to learn of any comments more experienced members have about swordstore's products, as I am thinking about completing the set and purchasing a matching wakizashi (more for display purposes at present)?

Thank you for your patience and help.

[R A Sosnowski]

Originally posted by sung ho cheung
As a novice to Japanese sword arts, I hesitate to ask these questions:
1. Are there specific katas for wakizashi?

Yes. Both in Kenjutsu and Iaido practices.


2. Are they (the katas) not purely the province of the two-sword school(s) systems?

Yes. For example, the last three of the ten Kendo no Kata.


3. Is the use of a wakizashi (following a recognised kata) also a 'free' choice (or necessity) and not specifically related to a two-sword school(s) system?

I am not sure what you are asking here. But let me take a guess: in general, if the Wakizashi is included in the curriculum, then you will learn it at some point - it is not optional.


4. I recently purchased a (basic level) katana from swordstore.com with which I have been learning aiki toho iai. I am curious to learn of any comments more experienced members have about swordstore's products, as I am thinking about completing the set and purchasing a matching wakizashi (more for display purposes at present)?

Do a search within e-Budo for SwordStore; their products have been discussed in several threads. As I recall, the overwhelming response of people who own SwordStore products is quite positive - this has been my personal experience as well.

HTH, and good luck in your studies,

[Aozora]

Originally posted by sung ho cheung
4. I recently purchased a (basic level) katana from swordstore.com with which I have been learning aiki toho iai. I am curious to learn of any comments more experienced members have about swordstore's products, as I am thinking about completing the set and purchasing a matching wakizashi (more for display purposes at present)?

Thank you for your patience and help.

This thread should say it all...click here (http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=17568).

As to the wakizashi, I've often wondered the same thing myself, outside of the shoto kata in kendo. To Raymond or anyone else, do you know of specific ryu that use it?

Thanks!
Neil

[poryu]

Hi

Kukishin ryu and Hon Tai yoshin Ryu also has wakzashi kata which there terms as Kodachi.

these are against a swordsman

[R A Sosnowski]

For Iai, I know for sure that the Hata Kage-Ryu that Peter Boylan does has Wakazashi Kata. I recall hearing that some MJER schools do too although nothing of the sort is mentioned in the mainstream lineages.

For Kenjutsu, there are Wakazashi Kata in the Shinto Ryu.

You can probably go through the Ryu Guide (http://www.koryubooks.com/guide/ryuguide.html) at Koryu Books to find others.

BTW, the terms Wakazashi, Kodachi and Shoto are used interchangeably to mean the one-handed short sword.

HTH.

[renfield_kuroda]

Mugairyu iaihyodo has 5 kodachi kumitachi -- 2-person kata, both seated. Probably the most "realistic" in the sense that back in the day one would only have one's wakizashi when seated indoors.

Regards,
renfield kuroda

[Vile]

Originally posted by R A Sosnowski
I recall hearing that some MJER schools do too although nothing of the sort is mentioned in the mainstream lineages.

Our teacher Takada Gakudo sensei (Muso Shinden ryu) has mentioned that there is a set of Wakizashi no Kurai, but so far we have no further knowledge of these.

Also Kono Hyakuren mentions (if I understand correctly) that in MJER there at least used to be two sets of kodachi kata.

btw. I'm under impression that wakizashi always refers to the shorter part of daisho, i.e. it cannot be used of "lonely" short swords, although physically there's no difference to other short swords.

[sung ho cheung]

thank you all for your great input.

And I hope I haven't tread on any toes regarding my question re swordstore.com products...if I have, please accept my humble apologies. My experience with swordstore.com to date is entirely positive. I have found Rick to be helpful to the utmost. And I absolutely adore my iato...even though they sent the wrong colour sageo (sob! sob!) - still, that's easy to remedy when I make my next purchase, which may well be the wakizashi 'partner'.

Mr Sosnowski - two questions for you, sir: 1) what does HTH mean? and 2) sorry for not making my question no. 3 clear. What I mean is if one chooses to use a wakizashi (as opposed to using the two swords) in a free choice or by necessity - are there any recognized katas for using that option?

I think Mr Kuroda's reply addresses this.

Thanks again to one and all! :)

[fifthchamber]

Hi Sir.
HTH means Hope This Helps...Usually! A nicer bit of internet babble IMHO (In My Humble Opinion).
As for Wakizashi kata don't the Takenouchi Ryu also train with the shorter blade quite extensively? You might try a search through Wayne Muromoto's website at www.furyu.com for articles on the style (I also remember an MPEG file of a kata there....May still be). He posts here on occasion and may help if you ask in a personal message)
Most Kenjutsu ryuha seem to use Wakizashi kata in them, some single and some double. But none are explicit about the kata until you can train in them....
Anyway...HTH;)
Regards.

[sung ho cheung]

Mr Ben,
thank you, that helps! ;)

[Usagi]

Originally posted by R A Sosnowski
For Kenjutsu, there are Wakazashi Kata in the Shinto Ryu.


When you say Shinto ryu, which ryu are you specifically stating?(TSKSR, ShinTo Muso Ryu, KSR,...)

Sorry for being away for so long :)

[R A Sosnowski]

Originally posted by Usagi


When you say Shinto ryu, which ryu are you specifically stating?(TSKSR, ShinTo Muso Ryu, KSR,...)

Sorry for being away for so long :)

In this case, I am referring to the Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu associated with Shindo/Shinto Muso Ryu (Jodo/Jojutsu).

The students of Kaminoda-s. refer to it as Kasumi Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu, but that terminology is controversial and not accepted by all.

HTH,

[Usagi]

What drew my atention was the fact that a book was published in Brazil about ShinToRyu IAi ("The Magic of the Japanese Sword" By Jorge Guimarães, menkyo kaiden).

I don't believe that this is the same school (i still doubt the authenticity of this brazilian wakizashi based battoiai school...), but the coincidence of the name grabbed me :)

Thank you for the information !

[hyaku]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sung ho cheung
[B]As a novice to Japanese sword arts, I hesitate to ask these questions:
1. Are there specific katas for wakizashi?

Yes there are

2. Are they (the katas) not purely the province of the two-sword school(s) systems?

If you mean are there waza to use the weapons independantly? Yes.

3. Is the use of a wakizashi (following a recognised kata) also a 'free' choice (or necessity) and not specifically related to a two-sword school(s) system?

Not sure what you mean here. Do you Henka/ Kaewaza. Yes of course there is. Some old ryu like mine work on the assumption that no two situations will ever be the same. Therefore there are inumerable variations of the fundamantal action.

Hyakutake Colin

http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/hibakusha/index.html