Sonkyo in Koryu

[EcoRI]

Hi all,
Just watched the Tatsumi ryu dvd produced by the Nihon Budokan and noticed that they do Sonkyo before Kenjutsu kata. I understand that Sonkyo goes back way before the development of modern Kendo but does anyone out there know any other ryu-ha which do it?

Thanks

[sven beulke]

Hi!
If the do it before the kata it will have possible the same reason as sonkyo before shiai in kendo. Its part of there reigi! Would be intresting to know where sonkyo in kendo stems from.
Best

[EcoRI]

Hi Sven,
I was told that Sonkyo has Shinto origins and dated back to early times, I'm not 100% sure of this but I was quite surprised to see Tatsumi ryu doing it, Tatsumi ryu had an effect on the kendo kata as one of its practitioners was on the kata board at in the 30's but it would be great to find out more.

Cheers

[Bruce Mitchell]

I've seen a number of ryu use it (Tendo-Ryu, Shinkage ryu, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu, etc), I think that it was rather common for sengoku-jidai arts that were originally practiced outdoors. Doesn't sumo have something like sonkyo? That would predate almost everything.

[fifthchamber]

The use of Sonkyo, or a sonkyo-like movement would probably be a far better one to use outside as was mentioned above..Kneeling is not a good idea for long lasting knees and seiza is not a wise choice in either armour or on anything other than indoors surfaces..Bending the knees into a deep crouch makes a lot of sense, it's respectful while not giving anything away.
We do it too.
Regards.

[ichibyoshi]

I do believe that is has Shinto origins. I seem to remember reading in a Kendo-World magazine a while back that it comes from the Shinto creation story, and is a symbolic 're-enactment' of the creation of the world. I cannot find that reference just at the moment. I'll have a hunt around. The practice was described as being over 1000 years old.

b

[ScottUK]

I understand that Sonkyo goes back way before the development of modern Kendo but does anyone out there know any other ryu-ha which do it?Hi Greg,

Sonkyo is also part of Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu. I understand that much of the reiho of HNIR comes from the Ogasawara Ryu:

http://www.ogasawararyu-reihou.com/english/index.html

Does this help?

[EcoRI]

Thanks to everyone for your input,
Besides Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iai most of my kobudo knowledge comes from more Takamatsu-den/Ueno lines (Genbukan/KJJR).

Even though I'm a keen reader when it cpmes to other koryu, I was under the assumption that Sonkyo was really only kept alive through Kendo, thanks everyone for pointing out that it is still practiced in many other koryu.

Ben, I know the article your talking about but my copy seems to be floating around my house somewhere. Good to see another Melbourne lad on the forum.

Thanks