Month: September 2017

by

​Irimi Shiai & Its Application To Training

This past weekend during training, I engaged in a session of Irimi Shiai1. For Irimi Shiai, this involved one person using a bokken (wooden sword), while the other uses a training yari (Japanese spear). As this was a rather free form practice, it gave us a chance to work on techniques we learn from Kukishinden ryu Bikenjutsu, and see how to apply it against the techniques from Kukishinden ryu Sōjutsu. However, as this training was focused on the concept of Irimi Shiai, there were some rules we had to abide to, in order to make it a challenging, and informative, learning experience. This also included moments of referring to wearing armor and what role it would play in our kamae, along with spots to attack if the situation was on the battlefield.

 

ROOTS OF IRIMI SHIAI

What is “Irimi Shiai”, exactly? Well, it is well known as a competitive engagement between a longer weapon and a shorter weapon, but in reality goes beyond this as tactical practice. After Japan moved away from the constant wars of Sengoku period and was followed by several eras that promoted a more peaceful society, many martial schools utilized different training and competitive methods to keep their styles active. One method involved closing the distance between longer weapons, such as the yari. This became more prominent in the 1800s, when most martial schools moved in the direction of Kyōgi Budo² (sports-centric martial arts), competitive engagements that featured a sword style versus a spear style became commonplace.

An artwork (low-quality version) called “Sakakibara Gekikenkai Ezu” by Kaisai Yoshitoshi (aka Tsukioka Yoshitoshi). It features many martial artists in competitive matches while wearing protective gear. In the middle-right, there are 2 individuals squaring off using training yari, while below that are two fighters, one with a shinai, and the other with a naginata. From Wikipedia.


COMPETITION RULES 

In some older cases of Irimi Shiai, the kenjutsuka (swordsman) dons on padded training armor and uses either a bokken or shinai, while the sōjutsuka (spearman) uses a padded-tip training yari, and no body armor. The goal of this match was the kenjutsuka had to close the distance and get in range to strike, whereas the sōjutsuka had to keep the kenjutsuka with only the tip of the yari. The rules were usually in the favor of the kenjutsuka, whereas they have more range of techniques to use in this match, the sōjutsuka was restricted to only using thrusting techniques, and only to the armored areas on the kenjutsuka. 

Having no body armor for the sōjutsuka is an interesting rule; while it insures the safety of the kenjutsuka (they will get hit a lot by the yari due to its reach), it is a nod the favor of the sōjutsuka, indicating the superiority of the yari. On the flipside, this puts more pressure on the sōjutsuka, for allowing the kenjutsuka to get pass the tip of the yari and in range to attack will put the skills of that sōjutsuka in shame…as well as in the receiving end of the shinai. 


DIFFERENT STYLES

There are records of competitions with Irimi Shiai involved, most speaking in favor of those using a longer weapon such as the spear coming out as the victor. There is a documention of such competition called “Taryu Shiaiguchi Narabi ni Montai³”, written by Kasama Yasunao. In it is analyzation of a large martial arts event that consisted of 17 kenjutsu schools competing against 9 sōjutsu schools. Some well-established and renowned schools were involved, such as Shinkage ryu, Takeda Hōzōin ryu, Sekiguchi ryu, and Niten ryu. Very detailed writeup included a description of each school and their  specialties, the methods some schools use to train, and the techniques used during the matches. In the end, the sōjutsu schools prevailed by having the most wins. 

The settings used for Irimi Shiai isn’t just limited to kenjutsu versus sōjutsu. Depending on the participating martial schools, numerous conditions can be set featuring different weapon systems. Over the years, some of the matchups included tachi vs naginata, naginata vs yari, mokujū⁴ vs tachi, and kodachi vs tachi. Despite the weapon styles used, the idea remains the same when concerning Irimi Shiai: one side is trying to get within range to attack, while the other side is trying to maintain range and keep the other out.

 

COMBATIVE PRINCIPLES

While Irimi Shiai is best suited for sports-related martial arts, it’s important to remember that the principles stem from actual combat. During the long warring periods in Japan, certain weapons were considered superior both in use and the strategies applied to them, such as the yari. On top of this, many types of weapons were carried and used by an armor-clad samurai varying in length, and not always was it possible to carry the “superior” weapon at all times. When a samurai armed with an uchigatana5 has to confront an enemy who so happens to have a yari, that samurai must do what it takes to win. This is true even off the battlefield, where warriors may engage in duels with each other, sometimes facing off against specialists in a specific weapon system. Some examples include Bokuden Tsukahara defeating a renown naginata master named Kashiwara Nagato by cutting of the naginata’s blade with his tachi, and Miyamoto Musashi outbesting the famous spear play the monks of Hozoin took pride in.

In Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, the different ryuha studied do not have a “sports” curriculum in it. This doesn’t mean that one cannot use “Irimi Shiai” as a tool to learn, but gives us an advantage of studying this with rules that are more suitable. For example, many forms and techniques found in Kukishinden ryu are designed for fighting in armor, so one can incorporate this in Irimi Shiai. Certain areas in one’s kamae and techniques are naturally protected by armor, so you can use this factor to guide your movements, as well as pick areas that are vulnerable to attacks on your opponent.

For Bikenjutsu, one can practice using their bokken as a shield to get by the blade of a yari. A practitioner can also seize the yari and hold on to both neutralize it and use their other hand to score a winning blow with their bokken. For sōjutsu, one is not limited to just thrusts with the blade of the yari, so all parts (including the ishizuka) can be utilized both offensively and defensively. Understanding the principles of one’s art, Irimi Shiai can be approached much realistically with less restrictions, yet must retain some structure in order to keep this as a method for learning.

 

CLOSING

This concludes my story on Irimi Shiai. It was a good experience on my end to engage in Irimi Shiai. I believe it would do wonders for others studying martial arts to challenge themselves in such a training method.

 

1) 入身試合

2) 競技武道

3) 他流試合口並問對

4) 木銃. The mokujū is a wooden replica bayonet for the purpose of training in Jūkendo. The techniques are heavily derived from sōjutsu.

5) 打刀. Uchigatana can be considered the predecessor of the modern katana due to similarities in blade length and shape. This was used as a close-range weapon on the battlefield.

by

Metezashi: A Warrior’s Right-Hand Blade

During the medieval period in Japan, the equipment that bushi1 (warriors) possessed while heading to the battlefield were both specific and strategic. Along with bearing the weight of armor, they carried many items on their person, for they were trained to be resourceful. Along with the more larger, primarily used weapons, such as the yari (spear) and yumiya (bow & arrow), smaller weapons and tools were kept close for quick deployment in the right situation. A particular weapon that is a good representation of this methodology I’d like to touch upon today is one called metezashi2.

A metezashi is a short bladed weapon liken to a tantō, which nowadays is translated meaning “knife”. It is believed to have been derived from an older weapon called the sasuga3 (dagger). The metezashi came about sometime around the Muromachi period (1336 – 1573), after the Ashikaga clan claimed the shogunate. During this period, the warrior class claimed more power than other social classes, placing more emphasis on controlling territory and their neighbors through military strength. Changes in how large battles were approached were taking place as well, where tactics relying heavily on long range assault were being adjusted to incorporate more upclose melee assaults. Bushi engaged more in skirmishes with medium to close range polearms and swords, with a thirst to test their combative skills. This is where the metezashi comes into play.

2017-09-08 13.40.20

An illustration of a bushi on horseback (calvary), both in full gear. In red, the name “koshigatana (metezashi)” is circled, along with a red arrow showing it carried on the bushi’s right side. From the book “Yoroi wo Matou Hitobito”, published by Yoshikawa Kobunkan in 1857.

By design, the metezashi is a one-handed, single edged weapon, with it’s blade length said to measure under 1 foot. The blade has little to no curve to it, due to its use as a stabbing implement. It is categorized as a koshigatana4, meaning a small bladed weapon carried around the waist. Unlike the tachi5 (battlefield sword) and the wakizashi6 (short sword), the metezashi was worn on the right side of the waist usually inserted into the obi, as it was meant to be used in the right hand. Like its bigger counterparts such as the tachi, it is generally designed with the same koshirae7 (fittings), from an itomaki8 (handle wrap) to a tsuba9 (handguard), although in most cases the tsuka was a smaller, rounder design. The saya10 (sheath) may even have a kurikata11 (small mount with a hole for the sageo12, or cord in English, to pass through), although placed on the right side due to being carried on the right side of the body.

Having such a short reach, the metezashi was primarily used in close quarter combat, as a tool for stabbing. The common scenario to illustrate its use is in the case where 2 armor-cladded warriors have no weapon in hand and are locked in a clinch with each other, struggling to topple one another13. When one of these 2 warriors can get the upper hand and either flank the other off balance, or perform a takedown, he can pull out his metezashi and thrust it into one of the gaps in the opponent’s armor14 for the kill. In other cases, the metezashi could also be used for assisting fellow warriors subduing enemy troops down to the ground to finish them off, such as for claiming an enemy’s head as trophy of battle15.

Example of a koshigatana. Example of a style used up until the Muromachi period. From the book “Nihon no Bijutsu 1”, by Ogasawara Nobuo.
Example of a koshigatana. Described as a “chiisa katana” (short sword) with a hamidashi (jutting outward) tsuba. Represents a style used around the ending of the Edo period. From the book “Nihon no Bijutsu 1”, by Ogasawara Nobuo.
2 examples of koshigatana from museums in Japan. Click on each of the pictures above for descriptions.

In the case where getting into a clinch with the enemy takes place as mentioned above, one has to be careful not to have their weapon in range for the opponent to seize and used against you when carrying it on the waist. For the metezashi, since it was a right-handed weapon, it had to be easy to draw one-handed by the owner, yet not in reach for the opposition to do the same. While it can be worn at one’s back with the tsuka16 (sword hilt) to the right, or on the right hip with the hilt pointing downwards, many sources state that the metezashi was worn handle up directed towards the back of the wielder. This meant that a warrior carrying the metezashi could reach behind his back and easily grab the handle to draw, whereas if the opponent attempted to do the same from that warrior’s front he could be easily stopped.

2017-09-08 12.58.13

Pic of how the metezashi would be worn, for the sake of fighting hand-to-hand while in armor. From the book “Heiho: Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu”, written by Otake Risuke.

There are a lot of comparisons between the metezashi and another type of koshigatana called yoroi dōshi17. Some sources even state that they are the same, or their names are interchangeable. It may very well be the case, for descriptions in historical sources state that they were both worn on the right side of the body, share similar dimensions, and were primarily for stabbing. It is possible that, based on the time period and/or warrior groups and the region they came from, either name was used for what could be the same type of weapon based on how this type of weapon was used. Case in point, some other names noted to be used for koshigatana of like design includes (but not limited to) the following: kubi kaki18, kubi tori19, and ebirasashi20.

In ending, the metezashi was a vital tool to the bushi. It is a piece of history that gives insight to the creativity and resourcefulness of the Japanese warrior. I hope this post was informative to all as the research was for me.

1) 武士. Bushi is the common word for warrior in Japan. It is a more universal term, more so than the word samurai.

2) 馬手差し. Loosely translates as “(a sword) worn on the side of the horse hand”. This “horse hand” (馬手) is coded as referring to the reins used to control a horse while riding, which is held in the right hand. So the “horse hand” (馬手) is another way of saying the “right hand” (右手). Thus, metezashi can also be translated as “(a sword) worn on the side of the right hand”. The use of “horse hand” is also used in kyudo (archery), referring to the right hand drawing the bowstring.

Note that some English sources, such as Wikipedia, that state that metezashi stands for use with the left hand are incorrect.

3) 刺刀

4) 腰刀

5) 太刀

6) 脇差

7) 拵え

8) 糸巻

9) 鍔

10) 鞘

11) 栗形

12) 下緒

13) This close combat while wearing armor is generally called “kumiuchi” (組打). Some older traditional martial schools still teach this.

14) There are gaps in and around Japanese armor that are vulnerable. This means that bushi were more in danger to weapons that are strong at stabbing and piercing, as opposed to slashes.

15) This practice of taking the head of an enemy warrior is proof of their bravery in battle. The more heads collected the better the rewards.

16) 柄

17) 鎧通し. These are especially renown for having a thicker blade (or in some cases, a thicker spine), which allows it to handle more wear & tear when thrust into the vulnerable areas in armor.

18) 首掻き. This name means “a blade for beheading”.

19) 首取り. Has a similar meaning as kubi kaki (首掻き).

20) 妻手指し. Another coded name having the same meaning for “(a sword) worn on the side of the right hand”, just like metezashi. The characters “妻手” refer to an old measuring tool called “kanejaku”, which is shaped like an “L”. The shorter end of this measuring tool is called “tsumade”, which is identified with the characters “妻手”, and is designed to be used on the right side of the measuring tool pointing downwards.