Naginata jutsu
長刀術
Tenshin Bukō-ryū Heihō
天真武甲流兵法
Naginata jutsu is the study of techniques using a long wooden staff with a curved blade, traditionally used in Japanese feudal time on the battlefield. Although originally a battlefield weapon predominantly used by men the art became associated with samurai women during the Edo period (1603–1867) who took up the art as a method of defence and self-development.
Naginata jutsu training involves the study of Kihon (basic movements) and Kata forms comprising both attack and defence movements against a range of weapons.
Origins & background
TBRH was founded towards the end of the Muromachi period (1333–1573) by Toda Seigen of the Toda clan, strong practitioners of Chūjō-ryū, one of the earliest known styles of kenjutsu. Toda ryū became the family art of the Suneya family, who focused primarily on the naginata which became known as Suneya-kei naginatajutsu. In the mid 19th century the 13th Headmaster, Suneya Ryōsuke Taeyuki, who was also a teacher of Kogen Itto ryū kenjutsu, changed the name to Toda-ha Buko ryū. In 2022 the current sōke-dairi Kent Sorenson, with the agreement of the various Shihan, changed the name to Tenshin Bukō-ryū Heihō.
Whilst TBRH curriculum concentrates on the Naginata both the Su Naginata ( ‘plain’ naginata) and the Kagitsuki Naginata (a naginata with a small cross-bar beneath the blade, used for deflecting, trapping and breaking an enemy’s weaponry), it also includes sōjutsu (spear), bōjutsu (long staff), kenjutsu (sword) and kusarigamajutsu chain and sickle).
Study of TBRH Naginata involves the progressive practise of sets of Kata:
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Shoden 初伝 (entry-transmission) techniques using the plain naginata against another naginata and against a sword.
- 11 techniques of Ai Naginata no Koto 合薙刀
- 5 techniques of Kitōshi Goten Tachi Awase no Koto 起気押五天太刀合之事
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Chuden 中伝 (middle-transmission) techniques using a spear, and the chain and sickle.
- 5 techniques of Yari Irimi No Koto 鎗入身之事
- 5 techniques of Kusarigama Aiki no Koto 鏁鎌合気之事
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Okuden 奥伝 (inner or secret transmission) techniques using the kagitsuki naginata against the sword and the spear.
- 5 techniques of Kagitsuki Naginata Tachi Awase no Koto 鍵付薙刀太刀合之事
- 5 techniques of Kagitsuki Naginata Yari Awase no Koto 鍵付薙刀鎗合之事
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Betsuden 別伝 (additional transmissions) techniques covering the use of the nagamaki, the kusarigama, and the staff against the sword techniques – these have been reconstructed by senior students of the ryū. The emphasis is on learning how to win against the sword.
- 5 techniques of Bojutsu Go Ten Bunrei 棒術五天分禮
- 5 techniques of Kusarigama Go Ten Bunrei 鏁鎌太刀五天分禮
- 5 techniques of Nagamaki Go Ten Bunrei 長巻極意五天分禮
TBRH techniques are designed for use in the battlefield and so often include large, powerful movements.
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Our training
At Kuroyama Budokai some study of Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei Jōdō is NOT required as a pre-requisite before commencing study of SMR.
Study of SMR Jōdō at Kuroyama Budokai involves the progressive practise of sets of Kata –
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Omote 表 – a set of 12 fundamental techniques establishing correct body movement, distance, timing and handling of the jō upon which the deeper teachings SMR are built.
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Chudan 中段 - a set of 12 techniques which embed the fundamentals learned in Omote through vigorous, continuous and increasingly pre-emptive movement, developing fluidity, confidence and the unity of attack and defence.
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Ran’ai 乱合 - a set of 2 techniques which bring the full range of SMR’s fundamental methods together in one sustained encounter, demanding initiative, exploitation of openings and harmony through constantly changing tempo and pressure
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Kage 影 - a set of 12 techniques which turns the visible forms inward, cultivating calm and unreadable intent through close ma-ai, broken rhythm, controlled breathing and explosive action arising from stillness
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Samidare 五月雨 - a set of 6 techniques which trains wholehearted commitment as both practitioners close the distance, using intuition, sustained pressure, kiai and sutemi to seize the decisive instant before the opponent
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Gohon no Midare 五本の乱れ - a set of 5 techniques which recombine familiar material into deliberately complex and disordered sequences to develop continuous flow, adaptability and versatility
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Okuden 奥伝 - a set of 12 techniques that integrates the preceding curriculum into encounters between equals, refining the gaining of initiative, intuitive perception, synchronization and entry at the decisive opening.
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Gokui 極意 - returns the practitioner to the traditionally understood primordial core of SMR, revealing the compact principles from which the broader curriculum unfolds and completing the technical transmission.
The study of these Kata is the Kaminoda Tsunemori sensei teachings via transmission Bill Fettes, Menkyo Kaiden, of the Adelaide Koryu Kenkyukai.
Tenshin Bukō-ryū Heihō Naginata Jutsu Instructing Team.
Tenshin Bukō-ryū Heihō Naginata Jutsu study at Kuroyama Budokai is lead by the following instructor cohort:
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Nathan Turk - Shoden