Katana

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Understanding Te no Uchi

A topic that often comes up no matter how long a person studies martial arts is what he/she should be doing with their hands during x, or how they should manipulate their weapon during y. These examples are generally related to te no uchi (手の内), which is an important area of training that is introduced to many beginners of martial arts, yet is deep enough in principles that even advanced practitioners continue to work on.

Te no uchi refers to how you wield a weapon in your hands. It is not limited to just how one holds a weapon, but goes as far as how to manipulate it, how to do certain strikes, how one’s hands change grips, how it is held based on one’s posture, and so on. You’ll hear this used for many weapon-based martial systems such as kenjutsu (剣術), kyūdō (弓道), sōjutsu (槍術), and so on. However, it is not just used for when you possess an object in your hand, for te no uchi is also used for hand-to-hand martial systems like karate (空手) and taijutsu (体術), for in essence even a martial artist’s hands are a “weapon”.

Let’s refer to the te no uchi of the naginata. One of the basic te no uchi often taught very early is keeping a consistent grip style with the right hand on top and left hand on bottom similar to wielding a katana. This is reminiscent to how it was used on the battlefield in the past especially in troop formation. Another te no uchi taught is how to switch hand positions, which is important depending on the situation and type of naginata being used. The following example below illustrate this when doing repeated horizontal cuts.

① The initial grip (left pic) is important, as it determines the te no uchi for the right horizontal swing.

② Finishing the swing, the right hand turns the naginata vertically (left pic), from which the left hand slides up and switches place with the right hand (middle pic). Through this a transition to a horizontal swing using the intended te no uchi can be established.

③ Finishing the left horizontal swing, same action is performed again, this time left hand bringing the naginata vertical (middle pic), then switching with the right hand (right pic). Repeat.

This is a step-by-step demonstration on how to achieve this switching of hands in order to maintain a specific reach with the naginata. Of course, as one becomes proficient, this manipulation will become smoother & natural. However, the overall execution of this te no uchi will still remain as long as it’s properly ingrained in the body.

Another scenario concerning te no uchi can be seen during kenjutsu, when two practitioners lock their katana together in tsuba zeri ai (鍔競合い). When the skill level between the two are about even, the one with the better te no uchi can get the upper hand. For example, it is advantageous to understand the moment when to push the opponent’s hands up through the use of one’s tsuka (柄, sword handle), or how to twist one’s hands to utilize the tsuba (鍔, sword guard) to push the opponent’s sword to the side in order to break through their defense, which is possible through the use of advanced te no uchi.

In ending, te no uchi is one of the basics found in Japanese martial arts that is learned very early in training. It’s critical that beginners practice this in order to progress in their respectful martial system. Yet, it is something that can not be forgotten and left behind, as it continues to define a practitioner’s proficiency even in advanced techniques. Thus, te no uchi is a fundamental skill that can be worked on even for a lifetime.

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Tōkenjutsu & Universal Lessons Concerning Element of Surprise

Recently I had a discussion with a good friend of mine regarding techniques for throwing bladed weapons. The premise was based off of a text from a book I am currently translating, “Tsuki no Sho”, which discusses principles around the use of Jūji shuriken (十字手裏剣, a cross-shape throwing blade). My friend, who has spent many years training in Shinkage ryu kenjutsu, also mentioned a similar kata, but which instead uses a shotō (小刀, short sword). While size of both are different, using them in an unperceived fashion is important in both scenarios. For this article, I want to discuss a bit about throwing bladed weapons, and how the element of surprise is an imperative tactic no matter the size of the weapon being used. In my training group, the universal term used is tōkenjutsu (投剣術, techniques for throwing bladed weapons).

Examples of types of bladed weapons used for tōkenjutsu (author’s collection)

When learning how to incorporate throwing weapons, whether they are designed for that purpose or not, much of the instructions tend to lean towards psychological warfare. This is especially true when practicing the timing for surprise attacks through kata geiko. Of course, psychological tactics exist for other usages of throwing weapons, such as offensive purposes. Yet, this tends to get limited to specific weapons, whereas tactics for surprise attacks tend to incorporate a broader range of weapons. Due to the nature of attacking with a thrown bladed weapon in an unexpected manner, a level of mental and physical skill is necessary to pull this off.

One of the 1st steps utilizing psychological tactics is through one’s kamae (構え, posture). In Classical Japanese martial arts, this is one of the basics, so a great amount of time is spent understanding how kamae dictates what we do. This is not just a physical matter but one that pertains to attitude. Some kamae are naturally suited for certain scenarios, making it easier to incorporate movements to launch a throwing weapon without being perceived. For example, in a case were one must flee from an opponent who has a katana, one turns around and begins to run. In that movement, we can use a taijutsu kamae called tonsō no kamae (遁走の構え, Escaping posture) to pull out a hiragata shuriken (平型手裏剣, a flat wheel-like throwing blade) from one’s inner pocket. When the opponent is at a certain distance and preps to strike, we turn and throw the hiragata shuriken. Such a tactic like this can help in aiding one’s escape if done correctly, or to attempt to subdue the injured assailant if necessary.

Practicing throwing a sword with a fukuro shinai through one’s kamae

In another scenario, where both combatants are wielding a katana, you may be perplexed with a very strong and skilled opponent. It’s here where you use an unperceived tactic from tōkenjutsu that can grant victory. As your opponent assumes jōdan no kamae (上段の構え, high posture), you follow in suit. As the opponent comes in with a shōmen giri (正面斬り, downward cut to the face), we crouch down and hurl our katana to impale them. Of course, we have a failsafe in case this doesn’t work, which involves pulling out one’s shotō and quickly closing the distance whether our katana hits the mark or not, for the notion of a person suddenly throwing their main weapon (katana) is enough to create a shinriteki na kuzushi (心理的な崩し, mental break). This can cause one’s opponent to hesitate even just for a brief moment, which may be enough to win.

Stepping back to create distance, a hidden blade kept on the side of the sword handle is removed, then quickly thrown.

Or, taking a different approach in the previously mentioned situation, you attempt to go toe-to-toe through kumitachi (組太刀, battling out with swords). At some point, you back away, then assume seigan no kamae (正眼の構え, straight-to-the-eyes posture). As your opponent approaches and attempts to swat away your katana, you pull out a small blade hidden on the side of your sword handle. Hurling it as your opponent is distracted, you then finish with an uncontested downward stroke with your katana. Some katana have one or two holes in the tsuba (鍔, sword guard), where small knife-like blades can be placed through. Such a design allows a warrior to have an additional trick up his sleeve, but it’s one which works only if the adversary doesn’t perceive exists ahead of time.

In conclusion, psychological tactics are very effective when throwing bladed weapons. Learning this through kata geiko is common practice. No matter the situation, using the element of surprise is indeed a universal tool handling a bladed weapon that will be thrown no matter the size.

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Mune or Mine, Which One Is Right?

How familiar are you with the anatomy of the katana? A popular single-edge sword, the katana is one type of the different bladed weapons used in Japan’s history, collectively known as nihonto1. Gracefully made, each part of a katana is essential and is required to be understood thoroughly if studying one of the traditional kenjutsu and iaido schools from Japan. While the naming convention for each part tends to be universal, at times certain schools will use a different name. One part in particular caught my attention recently, which is the back of the blade. Growing up, I learnt this as “mune2“. However, I’ve come accross different sources, primarily in Japanese, that call this “mine3” instead. What is the difference between the two terms, and what are their origin?

A pic of a katana and its parts illustrated. Mune is circled. From the book “The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship: Manual of Eishin-ryu Iaido” by Nicklaus Suino.

MUNE
The word mune is used to describe the ridge on the roof of a building. Usually roofs on more older buildings such as shrines and long wooden homes have this. They stretch across the top of these roofs, acting like a joint for the sloping parts that make up the roof. The thickness and defined shape of the back of a nihonto was probably likened to this.

A picture of a roof of Hiroshima Castle. The mune is the highest part of the roof, featuring a fish sculpture. From Wikipedia.

MINE
The use of the word mine is generally associated with an object reaching to a great height. Usually referencing tall mountains, it also has been used when referring to eboshi4 (traditional headwear). For nihonto of relatively long length, when held upright, is similar in comparison to a mountain.

High points on tall mountains, such as Mt. Fuji, are often described with the word mine. Picture from Wikipedia.

WHO USES WHICH

Referencing different traditional kenjutsu/iaido schools, it’s interesting to see which ones use one or the other. Here’s a few names of the schools that use the term mune:

  • Eishin ryu (includes Mugai Jikiden Eishin ryu, Musou Jikiden Eishin ryu, etc.)
  • Musoshinden ryu
  • Yagyu Shinkage ryu

Now, a few names of schools that use the term mine:

  • Jigen ryu
  • Shinto Munen ryu
  • Niten Ichi ryu

CONCLUSION

In ending, both mune and mine are interchangable when referring to the back of a single-edge nihonto, albeit style-specific in some cases. Just remember that either one is ok to use.

1) 日本刀. The term is actually for bladed weapons with a handle, and not soley reserved to actual swords, such as the katana. Here’s a few of the various weapons that fall under this category:

  • Tsurugi (剣)
  • Chokuto (直刀)
  • Tachi (太刀)
  • Wakizashi (脇差)
  • Nagamaki (長巻)
  • Yoroidooshi (鎧通し)
  • Uchigatana (打刀)

2) 棟

3) 峰

4) A light, black headwear made out of good quality washi (Japanese-originated paper). It’s use began during the Heian period (late 700’s to late 1100’s) up until the Middle Ages, around Sengoku period (1500’s to early 1600’s).