Angry Tiger Stance

Michael is not angry yet

We continue our study of 九構 kyu kamae with 怒虎の構 doko no kamae. For the warmup we did 五行の型 gogyō no kata from 怒虎の構 doko no kamae. This definitely emphasizes the full range of sanshin.

I showed how this kamae is used to attack the eyes. This can be with shuriken or metsubushi. But it can also strike with kyojitsu. I told a story about how I once used doko no kamae to defend myself in 1985, you can read about it here: Kamae Gokui: My Tiger Kamae is Strong.

I began class with 風盂 Fūu. We adapted this kata for use with doko no kamae. So from the starting position of 反応汎溢合掌 hannō banitsu gasshō, I move into doko to evade and control the space.

I demonstrated how to use the lead hand in doko no kamae to control the attack before it even arrives. Then the rear hand captures the entire kukan. We control the physical space along with the kukan that exists in the opponent’s mind.

When I studied this with Hatsumi Sensei, he used his own elbow to pivot. This is a physical control of space that allows you to disappear from the attack. In fact, my students were surprised when I reappeared behind them. Or I suddenly struck them with shuriken from afar. They didn’t know how I got there!

Of Note: 2 out of 3 seasons