curriculum-daitoujutsuchuuden
Daitoujutsu Chuuden
The fundamentals of daitoujutsu are split into three levels; shoden, chuuden and jouden or beginner, intermediate and advanced. Shoden focuses on solo drills and techniques, chuuden teaches paired techniques and jouden looks at multiple attacker scenarios.
Daitoujutsu chuuden is made up of 18 forms split into three categories, drills [keiko] (稽古), capturing[mutoudori] (無刀捕) and concepts [gainen] (概念). These three areas are called Daitou Roppou Keiko, Daitou Roppou Mutoudori and Daitou Roppou Gainen respectively.
These forms are designed to reinforce muscle memory and practice good martial habits.
Prerequisites for Daitoujutsu Chuuden:
- Daitoujutsu Shoden
Daitoujutsu Chuuden Keiko - 大刀術中伝稽古
Keiko (稽古) are drills designed to practice posture, receiving and attacking. Keiko should be fluid and practiced with intent.
[一] Hi no Keiko - 一の稽古 (First Drill): Gedan no kamae. The opponent strikes with kiri age from joudan no kamae. Evade to the right or left and thrust into the right or left jakkin with tsuki.
[三] Mi no Keiko - 三の稽古 (Third Drill): Gedan no kamae. The opponent strikes with migi or hidari kiri kesa from joudan no kamae. Evade to the right or left and receive the opponent's blade with the back of your blade, inside or outside respectively. This is joudan uke migi and hidari.
[四] Yo no Keiko - 四の稽古 (Fourth Drill): Joudan no kamae. The opponent strikes with migi or hidari kiri ichimonji from hassou no kamae. Evade to the right or left and receive with the back of the blade, inside our outside respectively. This is gedan uke migi and hidari.
[五] I no Keiko - 五の稽古 (Fifth Drill): Gedan no kamae. The opponent thrusts with tsuki from chuudan no kamae. Evade to the right or left and receive the opponent's blade with gedan uke on the inside or outside respectively.
[六] Mu no Keiko - 六の稽古 (Sixth Drill): Gedan no kamae. The opponent feints with a thrust to the face and then kicks with the lead leg to the sai. Receive the opponents feint with seigan uke and lock hand guards, as the opponent goes to kick, shift the leg behind and kick up to the opponents kaku or yaku.
These drills can be practiced up and down the dojo to hone both attack and defense for both students. Keiko should be done with commitment and intent. Focus on striking the body for a true cut.
Daitoujutsu Chuuden Mutoudori - 大刀術中伝無刀捕
Mutoudori (無刀捕) are the methods of catching and disarming an opponent who is armed with a weapon. Daitoujutsu mutoudori or sword capturing techniques are not solely intended for disarming armed attackers, rather they are used to teach a student the strengths and weaknesses of the long-sword and proper distance for engaging and disengaging.
[一] Hi no Mutoudori - 一の無刀捕 (First Capture): Shizen no kamae, rear foot leading. The opponent cuts from joudan no kamae with kiri age. Shift forward and catch the opponent's lead elbow with the rear hand and use the lead hand to cover the kashira (pommel) with the lead hand.
[二] Fu no Mutoudori - 二の無刀捕 (Second Capture): Shizen no kamae, rear foot leading. The opponent cuts from joudan no kamae with kesagiri. Shift back then immediately shift forward using the rear hand to control the elbow and the lead hand to control the wrist. Same for the right and left with switched hands.
[三] Mi no Mutoudori - 三の無刀捕 (Third Capture): Shizen no kamae, rear foot leading. The opponent thrusts in from chuudan no kamae with a tsuki. Shift to the side into hichou no kamae, then kick the blade away with keri kaeshi. Same for the left and right.
[四] Yo no Mutoudori - 四の無刀捕 (Fourth Capture): Shizen no kamae, rear foot leading. The opponent thrusts in from chuudan no kamae with a tsuki. Shift to the side then shift forward using the rear hand to capture the opponent's lead hand. Use the rear hand to support the lead hand.
[五] I no Mutoudori - 五の無刀捕 (Fifth Capture): Shizen no kamae, rear foot leading. The opponent cuts in with kiri ichimonji from the right or left side. Jump back to evade. As the opponent raises the blade to cut in from kiri age, jump in and grab the elbow with the rear hand while controlling the kashira (pommel) with the lead hand.
[六] Mu no Mutoudori - 六の無刀捕 (Sixth Capture): Shizen no kamae, rear foot leading. The opponent cuts in with kiri ichimonji from the right or left side. Jump back to evade. As the opponent lowers the blade to cut in from kiri sage, jump in and grab the elbow with the rear hand, then control the wrist with the lead hand.
Mutoudori is a vehicle for learning. Unarmed defense against armed opponents is extremely difficult for even the most experienced practitioner. What this means however is that practicing these techniques will give students a strong understanding of distance, timing and angles. Practice mutoudori with the purpose of learning, rather then applying these techniques in real life.
Mutoudori is a vehicle for learning. Unarmed defense against armed opponents is extremely difficult for even the most experienced practitioner. What this means however is that practicing these techniques will give students a strong understanding of distance, timing and angles. Practice mutoudori with the purpose of learning, rather then applying these techniques in real life.
Gainen (概念) are core combat concepts for the Japanese long-sword. These are basic counter attacks and engaging techniques.
[一] Hi no Gainen - 一の概念 (First Concept): Gedan no kamae. The opponent cuts down from joudan no kamae with kiri age. Shift to the side and thrust into the opponent's throat.
[二] Fu no Gainen - 二の概念 (Second Concept): Gedan no kamae. The opponent strikes with migi kiri kesa from joudan no kamae. Intercept the opponent's blade on the inside and turn it counter-clockwise, while stepping. Cut through the opponent's kimon.
[三] Mi no Gainen - 三の概念 (Third Concept): Gedan no kamae. The opponent strikes with hidari kiri kesa from joudan no kamae. Intercept the opponent's blade on the outside and turn clock-wise. Cut through the opponent's kimon.
[四] Yo no Gainen - 四の概念 (Fourth Concept): Hassou no kamae. The opponent cuts in with kiri age from joudan no kamae. Drop the blade back and step through cutting the kimon.
These concepts form the very basis of swordsmanship. Practice them consistently to get a feel for the flow and rhythm of the Japanese long sword.