Giho 42 Overview of Nagamono and Reiho/ 長物の概要と礼法
This will be an overview of 長物 (nagamono), 槍 (yari) and 薙刀 (naginata) that are included in the 外物 (tonomono) of Tenshinryuu and an explanation for 礼法 (reihou – etiquette) and precautions in regards to training.
Besides practical skill, such things are what form an important basis on top of studying the school’s style.
This time we’re going to explain the handling as well as give an overview of 長物 (nagamono) that are included in Tenshinryuu Hyouhou’s 外物 (tonomono).
About 外物 (tonomono)
外物 (tonomono) is what we call the entirety of teachings about how to fight with weapons other than the sword or empty-handed, i.e. with none of those weapons at all.
About 長物 (nagamono)
外物 (tonomono) includes 長物 (nagamono – lit. “long thing(s)”) which are long weapons of which there are the two types 槍 (yari – spear/lance) and 薙刀 (naginata). The 槍 (yari) includes techniques performed with 素槍 (suyari), 十字鎌槍 (juujigamayari) and 片刃槍 (katabayari).
This time I would like to introduce to you several ways of handling those 長物 (nagamono) or basically the 素槍 (suyari).
Well then, first I’m going to give you a simple explanation about 長物 (nagamono).
Training in Tenshinryuu isn’t about first mastering 剣術 (kenjutsu) or sword fighting and then moving on to 長物 (nagamono), but one has to practise 外物 (tonomono) concurrently from the very start.
The length of the 槍 (yari) used in Tenshinryuu is fixed at nine shaku which is about 270 cm. However since using long and big weapons from the very start to learn how to wield and swing them around is rather troublesome, beginners use this kind of short spear called 手槍 (teyari).
There aren’t any official regulations in regards to its length, but it would be great if everyone could get or prepare one that is about 140-180 cm long. Since this is supposed to be a 素槍 (suyari), you don’t have to attach anything to its end.
Important things during training
First of all, let me tell you about what to pay attention to during your training.
First, I’ll lay down the spear. This is called 伏槍 (fuseyari).
When putting down a spear, please do not place it directly on the floor, but rather on a pillow or the like. If possible, leaning it against the wall or anything similar would be even better.
Using a pedestal or stand like these is the formal way.
This state is called 伏槍 (fuseyari).
During training we generally practise while still wearing both the long and short sword. The reason for this is the concern that if you get used to wearing no swords, these might get in the way during actual combat and perhaps you might even become unable to wield the spear altogether, since a samurai would always be wearing both long and short sword in actual combat.
Also, pick up the 股立 (momodachi). Reach into the 脇開き (wakiaki) or openings of your hakama and pull up the part called 相引止 (aibikidomari) and stuff it under your hakama’s strings. Do that for both left and right. This is called 股立を取る (momodachi o toru – “pick up/take the momodachi”).
In ancient times, pulling up the hakama’s cuffs and stuff them under the strings was quite common, but since we move our legs excessively, nowadays by and large we use the 相引止 (aibikidomari) instead. We will pick up the 股立 (momodachi) again on another occasion.
In case your kimono has 袂 (tamoto – sleeve pockets) of long sleeves, do たすき掛け (tasukigake), i.e. tuck them up with a tasuki, so you can conduct your training without them getting in the way.
And in case your swords get in the way when you’re using the spear during training, you can for example do 落差 (otoshizashi). If it’s still obstructing you, there is this method of wrapping around the sword behind your body, but for now let’s do it with 落差 (otoshizashi).
礼法 (reihou) with 長物 (nagamono)
Next up, please allow me to introduce the etiquette. It’s the same for spears and naginata.
First, please observe.
During the entrance, carry the spear under your left armpit.
Then starting with your left foot, step forward, halt and place the spear right in front of you.
Then, in front of your navel, switch over to your right hand and carry the spear beneath your right armpit.
For a standing bow bow down as you are and once you’ve raised your body again, the performance or match begins.
For a sitting/kneeling bow, pass the spear over to your right hand, hold it under your right armpit, then place your left knee on the ground while your right knee stay up in the air – this stance is called 折敷 (orishiki). From there, show the back of your left hand in order to perform this kind of bow called 手甲礼 (tekourei).
Once you’ve done that, immediately assume your stance or directly switch to an attack, as the performance or match starts right from that state.
These two are the standard etiquette.
Please watch one more time from the side.
Next, I’m going to explain the closing etiquette.
It’s basically no different from the starting one. After finishing a movement, tap on the ground with a 石突 (ishidzuki) to make a pause for the time being.
Then move your left foot to the front and get both feet together, hold the spear below your right armpit, then assume 折敷 (orishiki) and bow.
Afterwards, get up silently, then position the spear at the centre of your body, switch over to your left hand and carry the spear with under your left armpit. After that step back.
Under normal conditions hold it with your left hand like this. If you hold it with your right hand, you’re always ready to attack, so when you don’t want to attack and keep it peaceful, hold it in your left hand like this.