Hello! Welcome to Shisei Dojo Channel.
My name is Márcio, I'm a Ninja Art researcher and Senior instructor
at Bujinkan São Paulo.
In today's video we are going to talk a little about swords, and specifically about the
"Ninja-to".
Before we start with the explanations and demonstrations of some blades, I'd like to
comment a few interesting points for you to start
understanding the blades and how they´re part of our
study program.
So, let's go. First of all I've written here the well known word: "Katana".
"Katana" is a generic term that means sword, ok guys, so it could be different kinds of blades.
Bellow I've put some classification. So, depending on the period, there are different
classifications for the different types of blade.
So, let's start with "Jokoto" Ancient Blades, 795; "Koto" Old Swords, from 795 to 1596;
"Shinto" New Swords from 1596 to 1624; "Shinshinto" Newer Swords from 1624 to 1876;
Then we have "Gendaito" Contemporary Blades from 1876 to 1953; "Gunto" Military Swords
that were built on a large scale during WWII;
And then we have the "Shinshakuto" that are Modern Swords for different purposes, including for the
martial arts that were developed as "DO" (Martial Way), we'll be talking about it later on.
So those swords were built from 1953 on.
So, here we have some classifications.
After that we have the Periods: The "Jomon" period, that's
the oldest one and it goes back from 14.000 B.C to 300 B.C. By that time the swords were made of
stones, different types of stone. They were used for hunting, for group protection and also
for spiritual purposes.
After the "Jomon" period comes the "Yaiyoi" period with swords made of bronze and iron,
then the "Kofun" period, then there was the "Chokuto" the straight blade swords, with one or two cutting edges,
and the "Tsurugi", that were also swords with two cutting edges.
Then we have the "Heian" period when there was a change in the blade shape,
we know this sword as "Kogarasu-maru".
Then the "Kamakura" period, the blades were named "Tachi".
With the advent of the first Shōgunate and military expansionism there was a great change in the blades
and in their basic characteristics as well, due to the appearance of different types of craftsmen
to supply the great demand for war.
Then on the "Muromachi" period we have the "Uchigatana",
"Nanbokucho" period the "Odachi" and "Shinobi daito",
then the "Momoyama" period, the "Koto" that is an ancient sword classification and "Shinto"
that's a classification for more modern types of swords, ok guys?
Here, on the "Yaiyoi" period, the bronze and iron swords were brought from China and Korea,
those were the first blades arriving to Japan. Then there were a few transformations
on those blades getting to the blades we know as "Chokuto" and "Tsurugi",
after that there was another change related to the forging and shape of the blades and "Koshirae"
the assembling parts of the sword that also changed according
to their period and the needs of the time they were deployed, ok?
Before we present the blades, we're a going to have an overall look
so we can compare and understand the chronology and evolution
of the weapons, ok?
Let's go to our next schedule then.
Let me show you some blades that are part of our collection here at the Dojo.
I'd like to remind you that those blades are replicas that come from different manufactures
that I use during my classes to better illustrate the teachings,
ok? Let's start then;
Well it's a pity that we still don't have here some swords that represent the "Jomon" period,
the stone swords, or from the "Yaiyoi" period, swords made of bronze or iron.
Maybe someday we might have some of those as part of our collection. Who knows?
Let's start by the "Kofun" period;
here we have the "Chokuto" and the "Tsurugi". Ok, then.
"Chokuto" are the straight blades, as I've mentioned before,
they could have two or only one cutting edge, ok?
Here we have the "Tsurugi". Do you remember that I've mentioned before that
the first blades that arrived to Japan had a great influence from the Chinese and Korean blades?
In 2013 we studied the "Tsurugi" or "Ken", and then a lot of people bought this kind of sword,
a Chinese "Jian". It's a double edged blade as you can see but with its own characteristics,
I don't know if I can call it "Koshirae" (garnitures). Those are clear
Chinese characteristics.
So, as a bridge from this "tool" here to the Japanese one we'd have this kind of blade,
the "Ken" , a double edged blade but with Japanese characteristics:
"Habaki", "Samegawa", "Menuki", "Tsukagashira",
it's only from then that the blades start to get a Japanese identity.
From that on, what we call the bridge from that sword to the Japanese sword
known as "Nihon-to" is the one we call "Kogarasu-maru". That's the next sword I'm going to show you now.
Well, this would be the blade called "Kogarasu-maru"; this would be the first
Japanese blade.
You notice that when they say this would be the bridge from the straight sword to the
curved sword, the "Kogarasu" is also a double edged blade
until half of its length. It's also considered a "Tachi".
What does it mean guys?
There's a little misunderstanding when it comes to the names of the swords.
Just to remember, "Katana" means sword, it's a modern term,
the old Japanese swords were known as "Nihon-to"
that means Japanese sword, original swords.
The name "Tachi" does not mean we're talking about this specific blade here. We are going to talk about it soon, ok?
"Tachi" would be "Big Sword", the first swords they'd use at war.
Then we have the name "Tachi" (Big Sword) and "Odachi"
or "Otachi" that were bigger swords that well be talking about soon.
Well, going further with the blades explanations,
we´ll soon get to the "Ninja-to", ok guys? Calm down,
I'm explaining the blades that are part of
the history and development of the martial arts, and for sure, part of the Ninjutsu development as well. Ok?
Let's continue! I was talking about the "Tachi", let's get here a replica of a "Tachi".
Well, as you can see, the "Tachi" is a sword with some different characteristics
from the other blades I'd presented before.
It's a little more curved, its "Koshirae" (garnitures) are different,
and its blade is also different, ok? It's also a sword that could be hold with only one hand.
Why is it a "Tachi"?
You must have in mind that "Tachi" is the name of different types of swords; it doesn't mean it's only this one type here.
There would be "Tachi" that were straight blades as well, ok? And there were different types of decoration.
A curved sword loaded on the waist, it makes a lot o people think that this is the difference
from a "Tachi" to a "Katana" or any other kind of sword.
Actually, it has nothing to do with it.
The fact of carrying the blade with its cutting edge pointing down has to do with Japanese cultural aspects,
as we know, I'm sure you might have already
heard about the "In" "Yo", commonly known in the Chinese culture as "Yin" "Yang",
those are positive and negative aspects.
So, when a blade is carried with its cutting edge point down, it's called "Yo-tai"
that means that in this position the blades would be used at war.
That unfortunately means that those blades could kill.
That's part of war.
This word may sound a little heavy but it is part of it, ok?
During times o peace, or patrol, or different times, the blades were carried with their cutting edges pointing up
as a symbol times of guard.
Not only the "Tachi" but other types of swords used at war would be carried this way.
The "Tachi" would be carried with this kind of straps attached to the armor,
or the other swords could be strapped with some kind of fabric
to the waist positioning the smaller sword that we know as "Wakizashi". Ok?
So, those are some of the characteristics of the "Tachi". Ok guys?
Let's continue then.
After the "Tachi" we have some swords here that, as I told you before, are from the "Kamakura" period.
With the first Shōgunate and the military expansionism there were a lot of changes in the blades.
The fact of the warriors fight in armors also changed some parts
I'll be showing you here.
Well, I got a sword here that we call "Uchigatana" or also "Katate-uchi",
as I'd talked to you before, the "Muromachi" period. Ok?
It's a sword to be hold with one hand only as you can see. The "Tsuka" is smaller.
Can you see it? So, it's an "Uchigatana".
It could be used in one hand while holding another kind of weapon
in the other hand as a spear, a "Te-yari" (half a spear),
or it could be used with other kinds of weapons, ok guys?
So this is the "Uchigatana" or "Katate-uchi".
Then we have a next blade here that is a blade that everybody knows at Bujinkan.
It's called "Oniuri", right?
It was considered a "Ninja-to" but
I want to tell you that's not a "Ninja-to".
Don't be sad about it. The one who bought it thinking it was a "Ninja-to",
don't be sad about it because it's a nice blade and without a doubt it was used at some point in history.
We'll be talking about it later. Ok?
I'll be talking about its characteristics later on, but the most important is to know that
the fact of it having a bigger "Tsuka" or the blade shorter than the scabbard
doesn't make it a "Ninja-to", ok?
Neither the type of "Tsuba" guard, we know this kind of guard here as "Moko Tsuba"
that would be one of the different kinds of guard. There were many different types of guard.
Well, the fact of the "Tsuka" was longer was for warrior to have more space while
wearing an armor, because it was not possible for him to close his arms due to the "Do" (chest protection).
It was not possible for him to rest his elbows down at some point
so he had to be like this with the armor.
So that's why they let the "Tsuka" a little longer, ok?
But if you compare this blade to a normal "Katana" you see
they're about the same length, ok?
So, in 2008 this sword was presented by Soke, the year we worked "Togakure ryu",
then some sword makers, at some point, said it was a "Ninja-to".
Now, the most interesting is that Soke Hatsumi is a great weapons collector and treasures, real treasures,
so anything he has or holds in his hand you can consider a "Ninja Weapon".
If it's a sword, it's a "Ninja-to", if it's a "Jo" it's a "Shinobi-jo", so,
anything that would get to his hands you should think it's a Ninja that is holding this kind of weapon.
So, maybe at some point, there was this kind of misunderstanding, ok guys?
So, that's the explanation of the "Oniuri",
a nice blade by the way.
Continuing…
I particularly like this piece here a lot, it is a big sword and it belonged to the
"Nanbokucho" period.
It was a sword that the warrior also carried on the battlefield, but the interesting thing is that
the person who carried it to the samurai would be assistants, or as they formerly
called "Hatamoto".
There would be several assistants.
Oda Nobunaga, for example, had about 20 "Hatamotos", or 20 personal guards.
Then some of them carried that kind of sword.
It could also be loaded on the back, anyway ...
there could be an "Odachi" on the "Ashigaru's" back, there could be other swords, but he would not be
the one to use them on the battlefield, okay folks?
After they fell into disuse, as the wars began to change, the weapons surely
had to adapt.
Then they began to have a more religious meaning, they were used for rituals
before battles, or as rituals of offering to the great Gods of war,
and so on.
Okay, so it was a sword that was used for a short period.
Soke Hatsumi also calls this type of sword as "Shinobi Daito", that is,
once again we get to an important point.
It does not matter what kind of blade a "Shinobi" is carrying, but rather how he is using that kind of blade.
That's what definitely defines a "Ninja-to", okay?
We will arrive at the explanation of "Ninja-to" soon.
So now we get to this blade here, an "Odachi", from the "Nambokucho" period.
I also brought here guys, some of blades that I own, that one would be ...
It would be this one here, this is a "Shinken", a real cutting sword.
A sword for us to work cuts, cut exercises on static targets.
That's made for that purpose and we use it only for this type of exercise.
If you want to have this kind of sword in the Dojo to exercise with the more advanced students
at this type of practice, that it is a sword only for this type of exercise, ok?
You have to be very careful about that.
Of all the swords we have here, the only one that has a cutting edge is this one, and the only
use that we find for her is to cut that type of target.
I also have here a "Iaito" sword, which would be a sword for the practice of drawing,
for the practice of "kamaes", basic exercises and positioning ...
So it is a light sword, made of aluminum and carbon alloy, a very good sword for
working for a long time for example, for a few hours, without demanding much of the body (physical).
This is an "Iai-to", they are different swords as well.
We also have here in the Dojo and our staff sometimes uses them, they are swords that
I would recommend to you, they are decoration blades,
but some of them are good, they are cheap too, and they help you to better explore the exercises
and I'd be interesting for you to have them for training, ok?
So you can search for this type of blade here, without a cutting edge of course,
this type of blade does not have the quality to be sharpened, so it will serve only to exercise
basic techniques inside the Dojo, for that, you could use this type of blade.
Now, finally we'll get to the part that everyone is waiting for, which is the "Ninja-to".
Let's go to the explanation of "Ninja-to", or, "Shinobi Katana", better hum?
This term "Shinobi Katana" is better than "Ninja-to", remembering that
"Ninja" is a modern term, so "Shinobi" would be more appropriate.
Let's start with this sword here, which is a sword that follows some of the measures
that Soke Hatsumi presents in his "Ninja Biken" video.
As we can it has the characteristic of a normal sword, a normal "Katana",
the full-tang "Tsuka", the "Tsuba" as well, and its blade is shorter.
What's the difference here, guys?
First we have to understand that the "Shinobi Katana" is characterized by different points:
First the size of the blade, according to the use of "Sageo", and this is very important,
we have a term called "Sageo Nana Jutsu", which are seven protocols of the use of the
"Sageo", and according to Soke Hatsumi, that number is a personal symbolic number,
not limited to the 7 ways of using "Sageo".
It has a meaning that the number 7 would be bad luck number, and then in times of difficulty
you could employ the "Sageo" in a way that could save your life.
So these are the details that characterize a "Ninja-to".
So, blade size, "Sageo's" use, as you can see I have here a "Kagi" (a hook),
and there are also different techniques to use it.
An accessory that I do not have here on this blade, but you can also see it in the Soke video
that I will recommend for you, it's the "Kojiri", which is a piece of metal
that is placed here at the end of the scabbard.
This piece could be removed and also used in the "Taijutsu", that is, in the "Shinobi Kenpo",
in the forms of the use of the "Shinobi" sword.
Another point that I was also forgetting is that this part here where there is no blade could be
stored "Metsubushi", which are different kinds of blinding dust.
So this one here is about the same size of the one you can see in the video of Soke, called "Ninja Biken".
He is presenting this kind of blade.
Another "Ninja-to" that we have here is this one, which seems to be a "Wakizashi", but it has this detail ...
This surprise right?
So we could call that one a "Shinobi Katana", too.
The term for it could also be used as "Gyaku Wakizashi", that means an inverted "Wakizashi".
We have the "Shikomizue" which are different types of blades hidden in bamboo, wood,
this one is very old ... Really interesting too.
We have the "Shikoro Katana", which is this one with the saw blade, also called "Shichinin-To"
with "Shikaku Tsuba", which would be the square "Tsuba".
And, we also have this one here that is a "Gyoja Zui".
"Gyoja" is a type of staff that the "Yamabushi" used to walk with.
Inside it there is a blade, and this also features a "Shinobi Katana".
Well, we'll get to the straight blade, okay guys?
As you can see we have different types of swords that can be considered a "Ninja-to",
or a "Shinobi Katana", which would be a better term for us to refer to.
I'm going to come back here to the schedule I've prepared for you, so we can understand some
very important points about "Ninja-to".
Well, now to the question that everybody wants to hear! What was the sword that the "Ninja" or, "Shinobi" used?
For this kind of question, I made some notes here to give a very serious answer;
an answer that I am sure will make everyone better understand
how the "Ninja" used their swords.
Well, come on then…
First of all, we have this name called ...
"I say this name because some people watching this video do not know what it's about;
it's not just for the "Bujinkan" audience or the "Ninja" community:
"Amatsu Tatara Hibun"...
This "Amatsu Tatara Hibun" would be like an encyclopedia with different books that were written
700 b.C and inside this encyclopedia, there were different types of books with teachings on martial arts,
philosophy and religion.
They believe that this encyclopedia was written by King "Mima", and within this encyclopedia
there are two notebooks, which are the notebooks of the Tiger and Dragon,
known as "Ryusei no Maki", which is considered by Soke Hatsumi the roots of "Ninpo",
the roots of "Ninjutsu".
So we are talking here from 700 b.C, and if we go back to that previous agenda,
we have the first blades arriving in Japan in 300 a.D, and "Ninjutsu" being organized
as a system from the twelfth century.
So you mean, "Ninja" used all kinds of blades, okay guys?
We let you this reference here.
The first emperor who used these scrolls was the "Jimmu Tenno" (660-582 b.C);
it was him who began to use these different teachings during his reign, okay?
After that we have the "Shinobi Kenpo" here.
According to Hatsumi Sensei, "Shinobi Kenpo" techniques were developed
long before the conflicts, the wars, and they were directly influenced by the older weapons,
by the older systems like "Bojutsu", bronze and iron swords,
by the "Tachi" and "Katana".
So there are the other characteristics that I explained to you, that are "Sageo Nana Jutsu", and there is the
"Taitou". The "Taitou" are the different ways to carry the sword and to behave while carrying the blades.
Do not think that the blade that is loaded on the back could only be a "Ninja-to",
or that a "Ninja", everywhere he went, had the sword in his back ...
This was a common way people used depending on their need, It has nothing to do with the "Ninja", ok?
Also the other blades, let's make that clear to you folks.
So you have to be careful not get lost in this information,
or in these stereotyped pictures of the "Ninja", dressed in black, with a hood, with a sword in the back,
with peculiar forms of tying or behaving ..
That will vary a lot, will depend on the school, will depend on the time,
and will depend on the purpose.
So it's hard for you to try to characterize the use of one blade or another, or make
the "Ninja" / "Shinobi" have this unique feature, do you understand?
"Ninjutsu" has developed through the ages.
So logically, if there has been "Ninja" since that era, logically he has used all the weapons,
and still uses it, because "Ninjutsu" remains alive, so we must understand this very well.
So before finalizing this video here I would like to recommend you some materials okay?
Then I'll make that presentation.
I'm going to recommend you some books, all right?
And a video too, so you can use as support for your study. Let's go then.
Well, first I want to show you this jewel here ...
I consider it a jewel because I was in Japan at the launch year of this book here, and I was
fortunate enough to be able to receive the autograph from Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, so
I would like to share this with you too, that was a very important moment for me,
a lot of happiness.
This book is a book called "Ninpo Taizen", it's the original version of Soke Hatsumi's book,
but it's all in Japanese, right, so we cannot take much advantage (for now),
that we're in the process of learning the language, but we're sure to get there,
and we're studying hard the Japanese.
So do not forget to study, but it's a copy that you can have in your collection as well.
And the good news is that the following year (this was in 2013), the following year (2014),
they released this book translated into English, I'll show it to you now ..
This is the book you can find at Amazon; it's the "Ninpo Taizen"
version in English.
It is a book that deals with the general aspects of "Ninja" art, which is being little talked
about these days right?
And we are students of the "Ninja" art, and we must not abandon this will to discover and study,
and increasingly fall in love with this figure that has been transforming the lives of generations,
and transforming for the better.
You can find this version here on Amazon's website, and I recommend it to you. Continuing here,
I also have this copy here that is of Japanese literature too,
we cannot take much of the reading but it is a book that has many illustrations,
so it's very cool.
I'm going to show you a little bit of it, here we have the blades for periods,
types of blades, very cool, with chronological references, and we also have photos of the blades
made of stone, made of bronze, from the "Tachi's", the "Yans", of the "Kens" that
were used as a symbol by the aristocracy, so here you have a lot of information that
make up the whole tool, the part of "Koshirae" which is the part of the finish details, which is a very fine finish
you can find in this type illustration.
So you will not get much use of the text, but you will get a lot of the picture,
and this will help you.
Remembering that our "Budo" is a great puzzle, you have to go joining the pieces
and forming your library little by little, and gathering the information that
will help you learn more for sure.
I also brought you here a video, which was made in a new edition,
produced in the year 2009, because we have an older version, and there are cool updates,
a nice video for you to watch.
It is Soke Hatsumi videos called "Ninja Biken".
This is an original copy, all right?
Always try to acquire original products, even to encourage the materials
to continue appearing and to enrich our work more and more.
This DVD, as well as the DVD series of Soke Hatsumi is from Quest, you can
enter the Quest website, or you can also buy from eBay.
"Ninja Biken" - Soke Hatsumi.
A very nice video and I'm sure it will help you a lot to understand
a little bit about the work of the sword.
Well people, so this was a reasonable comment, so to speak, and also a bit run down,
because it's a lot of information, you cannot zip it all ...
We end up getting lost in one detail or another, but I always hope this is just one starting point
for all of you who want to learn a little more about the blades, a little more
about the behavior of the "Ninja" / "Shinobi".
So here it is as a summary of this whole video, that the "Ninja" blade will depend
on the time and purpose, and that, "Shinobi Kenjutsu" or "Shinobi Kenpo" is here (mind)
and not on the blades.
"Shinobi", or "Ninja-to", or "Ninja Ken", is the way you use the blades, and is not
directly linked to the feature of it.
So I hope you guys have taken a lot from this video, I hope you've learned a little bit,
I'm very happy to leave this material for you, and we'll see each other in the next video,
by God's will, a let's keep in touch!
["Sensei ... Sensei ... The straight blade ..."]
Ah, the straight blade guys, yeah, I had talked about the straight blade and I ended up forgetting it...
It's here.
I have to tell you that this blade here is really the real "Ninja" blade, why?
Because it belonged to the Ninja who made us fall in love with all this here,
for the truth, for the truth ...
So it's still a "Ninja" sword, okay?
To me it's the real "Ninja" sword in that matter.
The sword of "Sho Kosugi", the sword of so many other "Ninja" that fascinated us, that appeared
in the 80's and 90's, and that made us take a bigger step in to searching
the teachings. This sword here for example, like "Sho Kosugi", like many others, that made me
get to Soke Hatsumi, and that made me be here today, transmitting to you this little knowledge,
but with a lot of love, okay folks? That's why I want to thank you.
Now I cannot help but mention that there are still a lot of people believing that this sword
is the sword of the "Ninja" itself, and there are a lot of people teaching it, and these people,
they're the "Ninja" that ... (I did not forget bringing it here. ..)
They are "Ninja" formed by this comrade here: "Ashida Kim".
So if you want to learn to use this straight sword, if you want to learn
the "1001 "Ninja" madness," you can go deeper into this kind of teaching, or you can go through
different channels of information, or the different masters out there
who are they part of this harvest.
Those who use the premise that they were in a park, that an old Japanese man suddenly showed up,
a Ninja…
and then he saw the poor ones... "Orphans",
and began to teach him the art of the warrior of the shadows...
See you in the next video, Bufu Ikkan!
No comments:
Post a Comment