The image of kōryu bujutsu, or traditional martial arts, is a collection of systems predating Edo period that are exclusive, with each bearing unique, signature methodology and techniques. While there’s some truth to this, the reality is that many of them were born from preceeding systems, so there will be some level of universal skills.  This becomes even more apparent once Japan is unified under the Tokugawa shogunate, where there was more accessibility to studying multiple styles, cultural exchange between complying schools took place, and competitive meets between different schools became increasingly the norm. At some point, before the 1900s, most martial systems had a level of shared knowledge, with a separation through each respected schools’ methodology, approach, and history.

Recently I reviewed a post-Edo documentation that supports this movement. Bearing an unusually long title of “Enden ryū yari naginata, Sekiguchi ryū iai, Hōen ryū Heihō, dōryū iai, dōryū bō” (圓傳流鎗長刀 關口流居合 方圓流兵法 同流居合 同流棒), it’s a listing of specific techniques from Japanese martial systems that have become a standard of sorts as of 1841, which is the same date it was written. One can view this as a development according to the more social-bureacratic structure, where martial arts was interjected into society steadily in a form of recreation, giving it a purpose on a business level. This document covers certain techniques from a specific number of disciplines, including kenjutsu, sōjutsu, iai, and bōjutsu. What piqued my interest the most was the bōjutsu section, since there’s a great number of schools that have a bōjutsu curriculum, it’ll be fun to piece their similarities..

Today I want to go over this short list of techniques for bōjutsu that are pointed to as being standardized techniques. One of the challenges here includes understanding the technique listed by the name; while many systems may share the same technique by application on a fundamental level, it is not uncommon for the technique to bear different names.

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Jōdan (上段)

While this is a common term for something that is high, as an upper stance or high strike, there are no details explaining which one is being referred to. So we will refer to jōdan uchi (上段打ち), jōdan uke (上段受け), and jōdan no kamae (上段の構え).

Jōdan uchi is simply a high strike, which all bōjutsu styles have as a standard. There are different ways to executing this based on one’s posture, technique, and situation. Jōdan uke shares many similarities in terms of mechanics, and is applied in a similar motion.

The posture jōdan no kamae has a portion of the bō held above head height. Of course, this can vary greatly between schools based on appearance, philosophy, and application. This doesn’t include the myriad of variations that accompany this posture. What holds true, however, is the fact that all schools have a jōdan no kamae, even if it is not named this¹.

Gedan (下段)

Just like jōdan, gedan (下段) is a common name for something that is low or down. In martial arts, it is used to distinguish low attacks and blocks, as well as lower postures. Gedan uchi (下段打ち) is a strike generally aimed at a low target, such as the legs. There are very few variations to this, making it a simple technique to execute from any posture. Gedan uke (下段受け), or lower block, shares a similar motion.

Looking at the posture gedan no kamae (下段の構え), this is an emphasis of one end, or the entirety, of the bō low close to the ground. Different variations have the portion held close to the ground either position in front or behind. Since this is a standard posture, there are schools that stick with the name as-is, but it’s not uncommon for other names to be used.

Koshi guruma (腰車)

This is a technique where the bō is held near or behind the hip, and is then swung in a large, sweeping arc. A rather large attack, it is also very strong. While in some instructions the targeting area may be mentioned being the opponent’s chest or hip, realisitically it can target just about anywhere.

Koshi guruma is not posture-specific, but instead emphasizes utilizing the bō attached to the hip. Of course, this opens the door for some postures to transition into this much easier than others, including those where the back end of the bō is held lower to the ground, or the bō is whirled from behind the back.

Kasa no shita (笠下)

The name kasa no shita literally translates to “under the umbrella”. The bō is held horizontal around shoulder level , either from the front or behind. From my experience, this is a technique that tends to deal with a attack from underneath in a raising manner, or swung to the front in a sweeping manner if held from behind.

From my understanding, there is no right or wrong when comparing kasa no shita being done from the front or behind, as both are situational. Of course, certain systems my emphasize one over the other according to their methodology.

Mizuhiki (水引)

This technique is an interesting one. While some other modern references mention about it being a common one for many bojutsu systems, it’s a name I’ve not seen much of, nor is the name itself assuming. Visually I am able to discern this as a standard technique that can be found in many schools, whether as a focused one within a kata or just a stand-alone one.

Mizuhiki involves the bō aimmed upwards from a crouching position, attacking the opponent’s hands from below. Looking beyond the idea of technique, Mizuhiki represents the strategy of being able to use the bō from a crouching position. One may find themselves needing to swing their bō from a low position whether intentionally or through circumstance.

Kurai (位)

The term kurai refers to manipulating the bō based on the situation. This means one wields it dynamically. In some ways, it is like assuming a kamae. This is an older label that hints more on strategic use of positions and how they directly influence the way of holding the bō.

As an example, if you are facing off against an opponent on a hill and you have the high ground, it would be more natural to take up a gedan no kamae where the bō is held in the front, so to attack & control the opposition much easier. On the opposite side of the coin, if you are on the lower part of the hill, then there is a higher probability that seigan no kamae will be the more effective posture.

Since the concept of kurai is so open-ended based on how each bōjutsu system’s methodolgy is structured, there are no set postures to represent this.

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While small and concise, this document can contribute as research material to understanding the development of Japanese martial arts during the 1800s when paired with other sources. Of course it is not perfect, as this is from one person’s (or group of people) perspective, while we do not get any info as to why these techniques are chosen as being standard amongst most bōjutsu systems. Still, this gives some food for thought for those who want to compare the similarities and differences between Japanese martial systems.

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1) It was common practice to conceal aspects of one’s style in the past. Sometimes this included naming a technique in an inconspicuous way, making it difficult to know what it is unless demonstrated and explained in person. While sharing of information between martial arts schools is much more abundant in modern times, there are still some styles today that uphold a level of secrecy.