systems-sojutsu
Sōjutsu
Sōjutsu (槍術) or spear methods play a large role in Japanese martial arts. The spear became the primary weapon along with the bow in feudal Japan. It was a very effective weapon in formations and easy to manufacture. It also used less rare resources (metal) than swords. Spear or Yari (槍) were often used to knock warriors down and then bludgeon them with the butt of the spear. With good armour and large formations, it was difficult to kill warriors with the spear tip. The spear was also very effective from horseback and against cavalry. The only real weakness spears had were that they couldn't be used indoors, which was easily remedied by swords.
Sōjutsu forms a core part of weapons training and many movements and concepts inherit from sōjutsu. At Ikari Dōjō, sōjutsu is part of the 7th kyū curriculum and is covered extensively at dan level (black belt level).
The kamae of sōjutsu are direct and use the length of the weapon to stay at a safe distance. Sōjutsu kamae focus on facing an opponent with a weapon and placing the weapon in such a way that either the spear point or the butt can be brought around rapidly to stop an opponent from advancing.
Sōjutsu jutsu rely on balance and speed to keep the spear in a forward position. Shifting hand positions and thrusting rapidly are also hallmarks of sōjutsu.
Kata of sōjutsu at Ikari Dōjō are primarily from the Kukishin school and they are extensive, focusing on heavy armour and battlefield sōjutsu. There are also kata that examine using the spear as a guard would (on duty) or as the police did to capture samurai or criminals. The Bujinkan has the most extensive sōjutsu syllabus in the world, making it a premier organisation to learn spear from.
Sōjutsu (槍術) or spear methods play a large role in Japanese martial arts. The spear became the primary weapon along with the bow in feudal Japan. It was a very effective weapon in formations and easy to manufacture. It also used less rare resources (metal) than swords. Spear or Yari (槍) were often used to knock warriors down and then bludgeon them with the butt of the spear. With good armour and large formations, it was difficult to kill warriors with the spear tip. The spear was also very effective from horseback and against cavalry. The only real weakness spears had were that they couldn't be used indoors, which was easily remedied by swords.
The kamae of sōjutsu are direct and use the length of the weapon to stay at a safe distance. Sōjutsu kamae focus on facing an opponent with a weapon and placing the weapon in such a way that either the spear point or the butt can be brought around rapidly to stop an opponent from advancing.
Sōjutsu jutsu rely on balance and speed to keep the spear in a forward position. Shifting hand positions and thrusting rapidly are also hallmarks of sōjutsu.
Kata of sōjutsu at Ikari Dōjō are primarily from the Kukishin school and they are extensive, focusing on heavy armour and battlefield sōjutsu. There are also kata that examine using the spear as a guard would (on duty) or as the police did to capture samurai or criminals. The Bujinkan has the most extensive sōjutsu syllabus in the world, making it a premier organisation to learn spear from.