Kama and Kusarigama in Koryu

[tgall]

Hello,

I' m really intersted in the background of Kama and Kusarigama in Koryu, exspecially in a comparison of the Koryu Kama-Jutsus with the Ryukyu-Ryuha's.

I' m not looking for a training guides, I m intrested art of usages and in the differences.

I found that Kama is used in the Asayama Ichiden Ryu, but nothing about the usage of the weapon in this ryu.

For Kusarigama if found some more Ryuha's:

Araki-Ryu
Isshin-Ryu
Maniwa-Nen-Ryu
Toda-Ryu
Tendo-Ryu
and in the german budoforum.net was also said Takenouchi-Ryu

I tryed to find more infomation about the Systems, but I don't find so much, so could you help me or tell me were I could get more infomations about it, or could u describe the differences in the usage of the kusarigama in the systems?

Thanks for your help

Thomas Gall

[Kusarigama]

Originally Posted by tgall

Hello,

I' m really intersted in the background of Kama and Kusarigama in Koryu, exspecially in a comparison of the Koryu Kama-Jutsus with the Ryukyu-Ryuha's.

I' m not looking for a training guides, I m intrested art of usages and in the differences.

I found that Kama is used in the Asayama Ichiden Ryu, but nothing about the usage of the weapon in this ryu.

For Kusarigama if found some more Ryuha's:

Araki-Ryu
Isshin-Ryu
Maniwa-Nen-Ryu
Toda-Ryu
Tendo-Ryu
and in the german budoforum.net was also said Takenouchi-Ryu

I tryed to find more infomation about the Systems, but I don't find so much, so could you help me or tell me were I could get more infomations about it, or could u describe the differences in the usage of the kusarigama in the systems?

Thanks for your help

Thomas Gall

The Masaki Ryu, taught in conjunction with the Suio Ryu

This kusarigama tradition has its roots in the techniques of manrikikusari developed by Masaki Taro Dayu. It was then passed down until the 9th Soke of the Suio Ryu Fukuhara Shinzaemon Kagenori devised arts of kusarigama from the manrikigusari techniques. From this time the Masaki Ryu has been transmitted in conjunction with the Suio Ryu.
The body of the kusarigama is roughly 40cm in length with a chain of approximately 2.5 meters. The blade portion is 15 cm in length and is sharp on its 3 protruding edges.
The tradition contains a total of 16 kata in the Omote and Ura sections all of which are performed in a highly realistic manner. A real kusarigama has a steel weight, which is swing by the chain, however for safety’s sake a less dangerous substitute is used in practice. The techniques include receiving the opponent’s blade with the chain portion, wrapping the opponent’s body and weapon, receiving the opponent’s blade with the body portion and then wrenching it away or stealing it. In particular striking the opponent with the weight portion is deemed the most effective.

Through actually seeing the techniques of the tradition, not just the kusarigama, I think you will be able to understand everything. The simplicity of the techniques that you will see represent the characteristics of the Suio Ryu. This painful simplicity is the essence of the Suio Ryu and the essence of my path.

From "Bu Creates the Man" (See entire article here: http://suioryu-usa.org/bucreates.html)

About the author:
Katsuse Yoshimitsu is the 15 Soke of the Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo and 12th Soke of the Masaki Ryu, succeeding his father Katsuse Mitsuyasu in 1982. He is the teaching master of the Suio Ryu headquarters, the Hekiunkan Dojo, and Chairman of the Shizuoka Prefecture Kendo Federation Technical Council.

[Kusarigama]

Here are some pictures taken at the 2005 Paris Taikai.

You'll find them under the Suio Ryu section.

http://membres.lycos.fr/taikai/

[Trevor Johnson]

I seem to remember that Ellis Amdur's book Old School has a discussion of kusarigama techniques from various schools. You might try looking there. Excellent book.

[budoka_ch]

I believe the Nihon Kobudo video series has a volume devoted to demonstrations of Isshin ryu kusarigamajutsu. Here in Washington I've been privileged to view several demos of Isshin ryu using training weapons. However, having now seen the real kusarigama, I've just gotta say, that is one *mean*-looking weapon...

[tgall]

Hello All,

Hello I have tryed to find "Old School: ..." on amazon.de but wihtout sucesses. Could u tell me where I could get it?

Here in germany I dont know any place where i could see it. I had seen the Nihon Kobudo Series at BuyUbooks, but these DVD's are at the moment to expensive for me.

I 'll know they have three Videos about kusarigama:

Nihon no Kobudo - Isshin Ryu Kusarigamajutsu Ikkaku Ryu Juttejutsu
Nihon no Kobudo - Jikiyushin Ryu Kusarigamajutsu
Nihon no Kobudo - Nito Shinkage Ryu Kusarigamajutsu

Two of them I forgot in my 1st mail, but about theses Ryuha's I dont know anything. But about these Ryuha's I dont find any infomations at koryu.com or tenshukaku.de.

Are there anywhere short video clips about Kusarigama?

Sincerly

Thomas Gall

[kabutoki]

Hi,
the book by Ellis Amdur can be bought here. Generally speaking, information about some of the rare koryû is almost impossible in Germany. You need to rely non-German sources and unfortunately that means investments. Try to contact the owner of Tenshukaku.de. He is a very nice guy and might be able to help you.

Hth,
Karsten

[sven beulke]

Hello,
there is some information about Kashima Shinryu kusarigamajutsu in Karl Fridays "Legacie of the sword". I dont think the kusarigama forms are practiced in germany but maybe the Kashima Shinryu group in Frankfurt has more information.
Greetings

[budoka_ch]

Mr. Gall,

I don't know how much information you have about Isshin ryu kusarigamajutsu at present, and I know you mentioned the Nihon Budo series as being too expensive, but you might try:

http://www.robertg.com

That site has dvds of various demonstrations, taken from 8mm clips of various arts, all taken in the '50's and 60's by the site owner's father, one Charles V. Gruzanski, author of the the unfortunately renamed Ninja Weapons (which I have in its later incarnation).

Anyway, that site offers dvds at an affordable rate. I think vols. 1, 8, and 10 contain kusarigama. I can't vouch for the quality or length of the dvds, as I am anxiously awaiting vol. 10's arrival on my doorstep, but it might be something useful to you.

Ps. I'm sorry, but I had a good look around the internet. Sorry, but no clips of kusarigama.

[tgall]

Hello Sven,

could you give me any infomation about the groupe in Frankfurt?

I had just heard about the book "Legacies of the Sword", could u tell me more about it, and it contents?

Hello Budoka_CH

I don't know really much about Isshinryu Kusariagama-Jutsu. I just know that it belongs like the Ikka Ryu Jutte Jutsu and an Hojujutsu Ryh now to the curiculum of then Shindo Muso Ryu, and that they start teaching it, if u have reached the 3rd Dan.

Before I had posted here I had tryed to find more infomations about it over google. But without big succes. I had also find the page robertg.com, but as i had read that i was 8 mm film, I was concering about the quality of the film.

When you got the DVD, perhaps you could tell me more about the quality.

Sincerly Thomas Gall

[sven beulke]

Hello,
the group in frankfurt has a website:www.kashima-shinryu.de . Dr.Karl Fridays book is the must read for anyone intrested in koryu. Friday explains the complex world and history of classical japanese budo using the Kashima Shinryu as an example. Friday is not only an historian for japanese history but he is also holder of a menkyo kaiden and shihan license in Kashima Shinryu. He he spares not one facet of this complex topic. I would describe his writing as academic, so not easy reading for people with only basic skills in english. If you just want to buy one book about koryu, "Legacie of the Sword" is the one!
Greetings

[Mr. Matt]

This is kinda on the sidelines of this thread, but in Diane Skoss' book Koryu Bujutsu, there's a pic of the Asayama Ichiden-Ryu headmaster using a MASSIVE kama.
My bro-in-law is into the kobudo and I've been trying to hunt one of these up for a Christmas present. Anyone know where I could find one or two of these bad boys?

[tgall]

Hello Sven,


your description of the books makes me really curious about it, sound quite intresting. I think I also would get these one.

Sincerly Thomas Gall

[sven beulke]

Hello,
i think the kama used in Asayama Ichiden-Ryu is not very usefull for okinawa kobudo. In the arts of the ryukyu-islands kama is ,as far as i know always paired. The kama of Asayama Ichiden-Ryu is much to long for the techniques used there. By the way i have no clue where get hands on these! A very good kama could be find here: www.dick.biz.
use the searchmachine and and search for "Atsu Kama". You will find a kama that is exellent for kobudo or as the start for building your own kusarigama. The blade is 5mm thick and has three layers of steel, with a harder steel in the middel. The handle is made from sturdy japanese redoak. Much better and cheaper than the Hanwei kama and closer to the real thing. And be careful,you can shave yourself with it!
Greetings

[JackDkillerflea]

Are they any ties to Masaki ryu and ninjutsu? I read in "Spike and Chain" by Charles Gruzanski that it includes shaken and shuriken in the school is that true and if so is there a connection to ninjtusu? I just began to read on the subject so I would appreciate any references aside from the ones already posted thanks!