Paul Steadman
09-18-2000, 05:03 AM
G’day Everyone,
A number of high level and highly respected exponents of koryu arts (and a number of not so respected exponents of questionable ryu!) have brought to my attention that the term ‘hojo-jutsu,’(art of the arresting cord) that I often utilize in my notes and Koryu Seminar promo literature is not the correct term or is non-existant in the Japanese language. It has been proposed that the term ‘Torinawa-jutsu,’ (or just plain ‘torinawa,’) is the correct term!
I have argued that both terms are correct, depending on individual ryu-ha/sensei etc. I have asked a number of prominent koryu sensei based in Australia, whom are registered at the Nippon Budokan or have a connection with the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai, through their sensei/soke and various respective ryu membership. All have stated that the terms ‘hojo-jutsu,’ and ‘torinawa-jutsu,’ are correct and are different pronunciations of the same kanji.
Besides the term ‘hojo-jutsu,’ having been used in print by prominent koryu practitioners/scholars such as D. Draeger and D. Skoss etc. I offer the following:-
* ‘ON,’ (Chinese reading) in capitals, ‘kun,’ (native Japanese reading) in lower-case.
‘HO / to (ru)’ = to catch, arrest
‘JO / nawa’ = cord, rope
‘JUTSU / sube’ = an art, artifice
Hence; hojo-jutsu (art of the arresting cord) and torinawa-jutsu (art of the arresting cord). It has also been offered that; hojo-jutsu is a more recent (ie. modern) term, while tori-nawa is a more classical (ancient) term.
I’m sure Meik & Dianne Skoss or Daniel Lee would be able to provide more details. Does anyone else out there have any info to add?
Regards,
Paul Steadman
References: “Modern Budo & Bujutsu,” D. Draeger (Wheatherhill? 1972?). “Koryu Bujutsu,” Ed. D. Skoss (Koryu Books 1997). “Characters for Daily Use & Personal Names,” N. Naganuma (Chofusha Co. 1972). “Yohan English/Japanese, Japanese/English Dictionary,” Ed. F. Kaneda (Yohan Publications, Inc. 1983)
A number of high level and highly respected exponents of koryu arts (and a number of not so respected exponents of questionable ryu!) have brought to my attention that the term ‘hojo-jutsu,’(art of the arresting cord) that I often utilize in my notes and Koryu Seminar promo literature is not the correct term or is non-existant in the Japanese language. It has been proposed that the term ‘Torinawa-jutsu,’ (or just plain ‘torinawa,’) is the correct term!
I have argued that both terms are correct, depending on individual ryu-ha/sensei etc. I have asked a number of prominent koryu sensei based in Australia, whom are registered at the Nippon Budokan or have a connection with the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai, through their sensei/soke and various respective ryu membership. All have stated that the terms ‘hojo-jutsu,’ and ‘torinawa-jutsu,’ are correct and are different pronunciations of the same kanji.
Besides the term ‘hojo-jutsu,’ having been used in print by prominent koryu practitioners/scholars such as D. Draeger and D. Skoss etc. I offer the following:-
* ‘ON,’ (Chinese reading) in capitals, ‘kun,’ (native Japanese reading) in lower-case.
‘HO / to (ru)’ = to catch, arrest
‘JO / nawa’ = cord, rope
‘JUTSU / sube’ = an art, artifice
Hence; hojo-jutsu (art of the arresting cord) and torinawa-jutsu (art of the arresting cord). It has also been offered that; hojo-jutsu is a more recent (ie. modern) term, while tori-nawa is a more classical (ancient) term.
I’m sure Meik & Dianne Skoss or Daniel Lee would be able to provide more details. Does anyone else out there have any info to add?
Regards,
Paul Steadman
References: “Modern Budo & Bujutsu,” D. Draeger (Wheatherhill? 1972?). “Koryu Bujutsu,” Ed. D. Skoss (Koryu Books 1997). “Characters for Daily Use & Personal Names,” N. Naganuma (Chofusha Co. 1972). “Yohan English/Japanese, Japanese/English Dictionary,” Ed. F. Kaneda (Yohan Publications, Inc. 1983)