Throw Like the Grim Reaper

We warmed up with two varieties of 中振 nakafuri using the 鎖分銅 kusarifundō. This comes from 正木流 Masaki Ryu. Hatsumi Sensei studied this school back in the 1950’s and our use of the kusarifundō in the Bujinkan still retains some essence of Soke’s experience in that art. My only training with this weapon has been with Soke and my teachers in the Bujinkan, so my information about Masaki ryu comes only from those sources.

I began class with 腰投鎌 koshi nage gakari. Here is another case of kanji confusion for me. In the Japanese text, the kata uses 賺 sukasu. But many English listings use 鎌 kama. While the furigana (the pronunciation guide) says がかり gakari.

The motion of the kata does resemble the use of a kama, or scythe, to cut grass. And there is a type of 掛 gake during the throw. But maybe someone who knows more about Japanese can send me a clue.

We spent a lot of time with the koshi nage itself since many Bujinkan students do not understand this throw. But the big lesson in the kata is creating the space to enter in for this throw. This happens from the initial cover.

Using the covering hand, you can break the wrist in a type of take ori. Then you push up 中関節 chūkansetsu, which is the middle joint or elbow of the opponent’s grabbing arm. I showed how Hatsumi Sensei uses the fingers to penetrate and control the breaking of this joint.

When you do this well, three things occur. First, the opponent’s attack is nullified to the point where your block is only needed for control. Second, you break his balance. And third, it creates the space for your entrance to throw. If you miss any of these parts, throwing will be contested and difficult.

But you must not get stuck on the technique. Hatsumi Sensei reminded us, “You have to be able to use both of your hands freely here. Don’t be taken in by just the one technique. Everyone understands 柔体術 jūtaijutsu, right?”

I wanted to emphasize the 柔 jū, or the soft aspect. So I returned to the use of the kusarifundō within this kata. Flexible weapons can teach us a lot about jūtaijutsu.

They operate with a natural chaos and have a mind of their own. They can just as easily work against you as they do for you. So you must make your mind and body soft and flexible as well. Embrace the chaos to learn from it.

Of Note: frisbee panic