Sword Forum Bugei

Gentlemen,

On my last trip to Japan I was invited to a private demonstration of a ryu that I had not heard of previously. I always enjoy these types of get togethers as the opportunity to share information, learn something new, and make friends who are interested in the old knowledge that is so rare and hard to find. This group had actually changed their training day to coincide with my visit. This was their cutting day, which they do once a month. They cut freestanding green bamboo according to kata laid down long ago. I have not had time to politely ask enough questions to fill out the history however Miyashiro sensei and I, both born in 1948 a fact he thought was significant, have formed a friendship so I am getting more information in that regard.

They cut from very close range and from the middle of the sword. The shape of the sword has substantial nikku to withstand hard contact with armor. They say that you should be able to smell the green bamboo before making the cut. After the armor is split the rest of the sword cuts the person.

They consider seiza to be an Edo period posture and do not use it. Their placing of the sword when they sit is also quite interesting and very different than what is usually seen. We will exchange visits and I will keep people interested updated.

Sincerely,

James

James -- I, for one, am very interested in this subject...I'll look forward to more.

David

David,

I am heading out to Fort Bragg this morning. I will add more and more pictures when I get back.

Sincerely,

James

Their style is very interesting. From the pictures posted their grip on the tsuka is so close together, unlike many other sword arts where the hands are spaced out. Did they tell you any other differences between their ryu versus the later or shin ryu.
Were you able to find just how old the art is? Does it predate the sengoku period? When you said they do not sit seza it made me think of samurai from sengoku all the way back to the heian period.

Koryu are very fascinating, I am interested in any other information you are able to recieve on Muryo and any other Koryu.

James I myself as well would love to hear more about this ryu.

Buddy Shaw

I second Shaw

I too would like to learn more.

Gentlemen,

I will get more information on Muryu ryu. Miyagi sensei and I are in regular contact however translation is not always easy especially with Japanese words that are no longer in usage.

I will be heading over again at the end of this year to teach and I will hopefully get down to Osaka as well.

Sincerely,

James

Here is a picture of me cutting free standing bamboo. After the demonstration I was invited to cut. If I had known beforehand that we were going there I would have brought more appropriate clothing. In my defense my jeans were Wranglers, which are riding pants like Hakama.

Great shot - you concentrating and the Sensei watching.