Kamakura (tachi) swordsmanship

[sissara]

Greeting NMB members,

I am very new to this board and this is my first post. Please forgive me if the topic was already discussed.

 

I am now interested in the duel-like swordsmanship of kamakura period (12-14 century) warriors.

 

From my preliminary internet search, the swordsmanship of the era is not yet systematic. There 's no documentation of tachi technique from kamakura period. Most of ko-ryu have been documented in 14-16 century. And the documented kenjutsu seems to be base on different kind of sword, designed for intense fight on battlefield.

 

Some historical opinions suggested that, using of Tachi during battle 's rare to none. Those bushi seems to fight with Yumi then armor grabbing and then stabbing with companion shorter sword. And result from skull analysis 's not conclusive.

 

http://www.naippe.fm.usp.br/arquivos/ho ... rt%201.pdf

http://www.tameshigiri.ca/2014/04/25/th ... al-trauma/

 

I am wondering that if Tachi is only symbol of status, and the art is not very important for battle, why Go Toba 's so serious on sword research instead of yumi or yoroi improvement?

 

ok, it might be the emperor 's personal enthusiasm in sword making.

 

But why the sword making schools are always relocated to the power centers of the period? For example, many schools are immigrated to sagami province which is the center of the Kamakura Shogunate. This is unlikely that sword making 's an art like pottery or wood carving.

 

I had studied heiji scroll, most of warriors are holding yumi and some are holding naginata. But some of them are drawing their tachi (mostly foot soldiers).

 

It would be nice if you could help me gain some insight in the swordsmanship of the kamakura period.

 

Many thanks,

Issara

[sanjuro]

There were specific techniques for tachi swordmanship in the Kamakura era, although the major ryu that did exist were pretty much in their infancy back then. Unfortunately they were closely guarded secrets and if we told you about them, both I and my horse would have to commit seppuku.

[John A Stuart]

Pretty much hidden in the mists of time. Look at Katori Shinto ryu, 100 years after Kamakura period, Nen ryu, Itto ryu, Kotoeirei ryu etc. all subsequent. It would be false to say they spontaneously erupted fully formed without some predecessor though. John

[seattle1]

Hello:

For a first time post I think you have come pretty close to both hitting the nail on the head, and at the same time kicking a hornet's nest, as it is a quite controversial topic. I'll leave the replies to those more familiar with fighting techniques through time than I am.

Arnold F.

[sissara]

Many thanks John, I think some basic techniques which are shared among early ryu might based on well established techniques used in the earlier period.

 

They also had some common theme where the founders obtained techniques from meta-warriors such as tengu, gods or holy spirits. Which 's, IMO, a polite way to say that either the teachers are preferred to be unnamed or the techniques are synthesis from multiple sources.

[Baka Gaijin]

Good morning Sissara.,

 

You might find more opinions by opening a thread over on E-Budo:

 

http://www.e-budo.com/content.php?s=6e2 ... a5917c9493

 

Cheers

[Ken-Hawaii]

Yes, e-Budo.com is a good idea to get some feedback. And please do sign your name on each post, per Brian's rules.

 

Ken

[sissara]

Thank you very much, I had the post signed.

 

And yes, posting on e-budo is a good idea. But it could be another hornet 's nest, practitioner type. :D I will try.

 

Issara

[Toryu2020]

Issara -

A lot of good questions and hard to give good answers in short concise bursts but here goes;

 

I would look to three sources Ogasawara-ryu Yabusame and Ogasawara-ryu kyudo (kyujutsu) and Yagyu Shingan-ryu, a school of fighting in armour. This last uses the tachi I believe much as it would have been used in individual combat in the earlier periods. Certainly the sword had evolved some by the time this school emerged but I think you can get a clear idea of just what was possible and practical with the weapon when on foot.

 

Ogasawara-ryu and Takeda-ryu Yabusame have cutting techniques from horseback, though not often practised. The biggest obstacle may be the danger to horses while training so these techniques may only be seen in the dojo. I know of at least one guy who used to cut targets from the back of a motorcycle while his deshi operated the "iron horse".

 

Making bows or making arrows does not carry the same cultural or spiritual weight as making swords - the Emperor afterall is first and foremost the head priest for the Shinto religion. The making of swords involves the participation of the gods in a magical event that results in a tangible item that is way more than its constituent parts. Swords (blades) were a necessary part of Shinto ritual from early on. Therefore if you are a power broker in the world of the samurai you need swordmakers at hand not just to supply your troops but also to provide blades for dedication ceremonies and such. And in Kamakura there were a lot of new temples and shrines raised up by the new Shogun, so they had need of a lot of swords.

 

I have my own ideas about the use of the tachi but feel there are answers out there already, I am sure you can find good info and I envy you the search for those answers,

-your friend in the way

-t