Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu Techniques
Miyamoto Musashi's style
Sensei Jorge Kishikawa no dojo do Niten Ichi Ryu, no Japão
Differently from other styles, which attribute their style techniques to divine inspiration, Niten Ichi Ryu techniques are the direct result of combat experience by Musashi Sensei. They are the same techniques he used in over 60 duels, all of which he won. To practice these techniques is to dive into the samurai world and partake in the discoveries that Musashi Sensei found, when he dedicated his life to achieving perfection in the way of the sword.
Aside from the famous two sword techniques, there are also long sword and short sword used separately, not to mention the wooden staff.
Practice is done through katas, or pre determined sequence of movement, always with two persons. One of the practitioners, usually the older of the two, plays the role of the Uchidachi, that is, the one that attacks in order for the other practitioner -Shidachi- is able to apply the technique. After a preset number of repetitions, the practitioners exchange places, so that both practice Uchidachi side as well as Shidachi side.
The katas are repeated until they are fully assimilated by the practitioners. Practice advances as the techniques as understood, without rushing or competitive purposes. Practice is done with the objective of personal improvement and profound understanding of Musashi's Sensei strategy.
The bokutos - wooden swords - used during practice follow the same design since Musashi's Sensei time. It's characteristic curve, the format, size and weight are unique for the style. In order to learn Niten Ichi Ryu correctly, one must use the style's bokuto. The original bokuto, carved by Musashi Sensei, still exists today, and is kept in the templa at Usa city, in Oita, where the style has been based since the ninth generation.
Kata practice, in Niten Institute, is complimented with Bogu training (protection equipment) and Shinai (bamboo sword). This practice aims at using the style's postures and techniques in combat, bringing great benefits, as a better understanding for students of the techniques dynamics: Correct distance, timing, strong and weak points of every posture.
In total there are tens of Katas. Aside from the famous two sword techniques, there are also sequences with the long sword, with the short sword and with the Bo, long wooden staff.
Style's Curriculum
Tachi Seihô - 太刀勢法
12 techniques with long sword
12 techniques with long sword
- Sassen - 指先
- Hasso Hidari - 八相左
- Hasso Migi - 八相右
- Uke Nagashi Hidari - 受流左
- Uke Nagashi Migi - 受流右
- Moji Gamae - 捩構
- Haritsuke - 張付
- Nagashi Uchi - 流打
- Tora Buri - 虎振
- Kazuki - 數喜
- Aisen Uchidome - 合先打留
- Amashi Uchi - 躱討
Kodachi Seihô - 小太刀勢法
7 katas with Kodachi(short sword)
7 katas with Kodachi(short sword)
- Sassen - 指先
- Chudan - 中段
- Uke Nagashi - 受流
- Moji Gamae - 捩構
- Haritsuke - 張付
- Nagashi Uchi - 流打
- Aisen - 合先
Nito Seiho - 二刀勢法
5 katas with two swords
5 katas with two swords
- Chudan - 中段
- Jodan - 上段
- Gedan - 下段
- Hidari Waki Gamae - 左脇構
- Migi Waki gamae - 右脇構
Bôjutsu - 棒術
Total of 20 kata with Bo(long staff)
Total of 20 kata with Bo(long staff)
- 13 of staff against sword
- 7 of staff against sword