Tanjojutsu, japanese stick-fighting
While Japanese martial arts are often associated with samurai and their katana, only members of this elite were allowed to wield this kind of weapon. Many other classes were prohibited from owning and using any kind of weapon. In order to defend themselves against bandits or other attackers, ordinary people learned to defend themselves with everyday objects. Sticks were one of the most important defensive weapons. This gave rise to a wide variety of stick fighting techniques, such as Tosei Ryu Tanjōjutsu. At our dojos, we teach a comprehensive range of stick fighting techniques including the fight against a katana.
Tosei Ryu Tanjojutsu
Modern stick fighting from 1988
Dojos associated with Mugai Ryu International teach the comparatively young stick fighting style Tosei Ryu Tanjōjutsui. Our Senseis are direct students of the Japanese grandmaster Niina Toyoaki Gyokusou Soke and holds the 7th Dan Kyoshi in Tosei Ryu. This extremely effective style was developed in 1988 by Grandmaster Niina Soke from Shintō Musō Ryu (martial arts with the jō), Ikkaku Ryu (martial arts with jitte and tessen), Uchida Ryu and Mugai Ryu. The aim was to create an effective system that is also applicable modern times
The Tosei Ryu Tanjojutsu training teaches the usage of the Tanjō, a 90-centimetre-long wooden stick. This style is extremely suitable for self-defense purposes thanks to its simple, direct and efficient technique. A modern application would be the self-defense with an umbrella or belt. As part of the development of the stick fighting style, the martial arts of Uchida Ryu, Isshin Ryu and Ikkaku Ryu were included in the curriculum.
Our Tosei Ryu Tanjojutsu curriculum includes a gradual transition to other wooden weapons. If the student starts with one Tanjō, a second one is added as confidence increases. In addition, our dojos teach the use of the approx. 120-centimetre-long Jō and the approx. 180-centimetre-long Bō. In order to simulate different combat situations, the weapons are used in partner exercises in a wide variety of constellations and also against a Bukotō. This is a wooden sword similar in shape and appearance to the katana.
Tosei Ryu training includes the following weapons:
- Tanjō a 90 cm long wooden (walking) stick/cane
- Double Tanjō martial arts with to sticks/canes
- Jō a 120 cm long wooden stick
- Bō a 180 cm long wooden stick
- Kusarigama chain-sickle
- Kamayari sickle spear
- Jitte & Tessen baton and iron handheld fan
Beside the efficient use of the weapons, the understanding for the body, movement, the body-axis and dynamics as well as for distance, fighting and reaction to the opponent is taught. Skilful, agile elusiveness and the use of body weight bring a special strength development with itself, even without being physically sturdy.
Basics of Tosei Ryu Tanjojutsu
The Tosei Ryu Tanjojutsu training teaches the following basic principles
- Slashes
- Thrusts
- Levers
- Evading
- Blocks
- Deriving the opponents attacks
- Returning the strength / the attack of the opponent
The training is done with padded weapons to get the student used to actual fighting combat, without the danger of getting really hurt. All techniques are trained slowly, easy, but precisely at the beginning and the speed and strength gets raised individually in the learning process. Tosei Ryu actually reacts to the incoming aggression, so the principle of countering stands in the foreground.
Another aspect of the Tosei Ryu training is free-fighting with safety equipment. The practical fight experience improves reaction, distance and timing and is fun.
Tosei Ryu Tanjojutsu Kata
The partner forms and apllications of Tosei Ryu
- Benkei
- Musan
- Kocho
- Ryufu Hidari
- Ryufu Migi
- Fukioroshi
- Hibana
- Kyo no Yoi
- Jifubuki Hidari
- Jifubuki Migi
- Ookaze Hidari
- Ookaze Migi
After these 12 Kata the student will learn some special Tosei Ryu forms and afterwards the Uchida Ryu Tanjojutsu.
The Uchida Ryu techniques are against an enemy armed with a sword.
Uchida Ryu Tanjojutsu Kata
The partner forms and apllications of Uchida Ryu
- Kote Uchi (Sa)
- Kote Uchi (Yu)
- Sutemi
- Kuritsuke
- Ushiro zue
- Suigetsu (Sa)
- Suigetsu (Yu)
- Shamen (Sa)
- Shamen (Yu)
- Kobushi kudaki
- Sune kudaki
- Irimi