Giho 58 Koden Haizaho Nukiuchi no koto I/ 古伝佩坐法 抜刀ノ事 壱
Koden Haizahou Nukiuchi no Koto I
In Tenshinryuu the techniques that suppose a lifestyle or armoured sword fighting from before the Edo period such as from the Muromachi or Azuchi-Momoyama period are called 古伝 (koden – “old tradition/legend”) or 古式 (koshiki – “old style/ceremony”).
With the 古伝・古式 (koden/koshiki) techniques represented by 新陰流 (shinkageryuu) as the groundwork, the ones that were revised in the Edo lifestyle have become the standard techniques of Tenshinryuu.
However, the former lifestyle remained in the etiquette of the 武家 (buke – “military/samurai family or class”) society, also, one was to always be prepared for battle, therefore it is necessary in Tenshinryuu to study those 古伝・古式 (koden/koshiki) techniques even as a beginner.
In 古伝 (koden), techniques used when sitting in 胡坐 (koza) while wearing a tachi or a pair of long and short uchigatana are called 佩坐法 (haizahou).
胡坐 (koza) or cross-legged sitting nowadays is considered casual, but up until the early days of the Edo period or right before those it used to be a formal way of sitting.
It’s even harder to move from this position than from 扇坐 (ougiza), but it’s extremely important for, among others, the purpose of practising self-restraint and learning free body control.
Demonstration with the kaisho 守 (shu)
Explanation
This time please allow me to explain 抜刀 (nukiuchi), one of the 古伝 佩坐法 (koden haizahou).
As we have explained how to sit in 胡坐 (koza) in a previous video, please use that as a reference.
So then, let’s move on to the actual explanation of the movement.
Move your left hand to the koiguchi and the right one to the tsuka and draw the sword upwards.
When you grip the tsuka with your right hand, the tsukagashira will come down, so grab it with your left hand. At that moment, bring your knees together.
Next, open up your knees again and cut straight down.
After that, assume 青眼の位 (seigan no kurai).
Here assume 残心 (zanshin).
Lower the kissaki while making sure to cut far. Once you’ve reached the point where it almost touches the ground, pull the sword towards your body.
Then, right when you’ve reached the point where the tsukagashira almost touches your body, put your right knee up as a tray.
Here assume 残心 (zanshin) again. After reciting the kujiin in your head, do the chiburui.
Left hand to the koiguchi, then place the back of the sword onto your ribs and pull the sword straight to the back.
Once the kissaki has entered the koiguchi, switch over to your other knee and sheathe the kissaki by 3 sun (⑨.0⑨ cm).
Then slowly move both of your hands to sheathe the sword.
Place your left knee on the ground and raise your right one, then slowly lower your hips to assume 胡坐 (koza).
Bring your right hand to the tsukagashira and push your sword into the saya to complete the sheathing.
While touching the tsuka with your right hand, move it to your right hip. At this time, your right hand should assume the form of 平手 (hirade).
Then move your left hand to your left knee, hide both of your thumbs and thus conclude the movement.
Please watch from the side.
Place your knees on the ground and draw your sword straight upwards. Bring your knees together while grabbing the tsukagashira with your left hand, then, while bending backwards, cut straight down.
After the cut, assume 青眼の位 (seigan no kurai).
Here assume 残心 (zanshin).
Lower the kissaki, then pull the sword towards your body.
Then set up your right knee as a tray.
Here, after assuming 残心 (zanshin) once more, perform the chiburui.
Move the sword straight back, and as soon as the kissaki enters the koiguchi, switch over to your other knee and sheathe the kissaki by 3 sun.
From there move both hands to sheathe the sword.
Then place the left knee on the ground, raise the right one, slowly lower your hips and assume 胡坐 (koza).
Move your right hand to the tsukagashira and fully sheathe the sword.
Place your right hand in 平手 (hirade) form on your right hip, then, when you move your left hand to your left knee, hide your thumbs on both hands.