Koto Ryu Kihon

Fundamentals (Kihon)

Cross Walking (Yoko Aruki)

The defender steps one foot across to the side of his other foot so that his legs are crossed and both feet point in the same direction. The defender lifts the other foot and sets it down away from the first foot into a Natural Stance (Shizen no Kamae). This is one of the fundamental movements in Koto Ryu and should be seen as a sort of default step.

Empty Space (Kukan)

Empty space goes far beyond simply correct distancing between the defender and opponent. Empty space can be used both as a weapon (Buki) and a shield (Totoku). By utilizing empty space between him and the opponent, the defender can create an invisible barrier where the opponent cannot attack. Furthermore, by suddenly creating an empty space during a technique, the defender can create a place in which the opponent will fall.

Maintaining Awareness (Zanshin)

The eyes should be focused on the opponent's forehead between his eyes. This will cause the opponent to think the defender is looking into his eyes; however, the opponent won't be able to actually read the defender's intentions. For this reason, the defender's eyes must always remain blank.

Mole Forms (Moguri Gata)

Mole Forms are techniques that utilize movement similar to a mole moving underground. The principal goal is for the defender to tunnel under an opponent. This can be done by using a lowered position, attacking lower targets, scooping the opponent, or dropping onto one knee. For instance, with a standard shoulder throw (Seoi Nage), the defender remains on the balls of both feet during the throw. But, by converting this to a Mole Form, the defender could drop to one knee during the throw, which would allow a defender to easily throw a shorter opponent.

Mouse Catching (Nezumi Tori)

Mouse Catching is a concept about striking in Koto Ryu with a very apt name. The defender should ‘scratch’ at an opponent like a cat catching a mouse. Basically, when striking into a target, the defender can swipe across the opponent, even changing direction as necessary. This concept can be applied to virtually any type of strike or kick – strike in, swipe down or across, easy as that. But it’s extremely effective with open-handed strikes and especially finger strikes. Koto Ryu practitioners even had special weapons designed for making these strikes lethal called Kinode, which were sharp metal claws worn on the tips of each finger.

Reversing (Gaeshi)

Reversing (Gaeshi) is essentially moving from the hips and using the movement of the hips to guide the body. Reversing (Gaeshi) is the way in which the defender begins his movement usually from Natural Stance (Shizen no Kamae). Any time the defender begins to move from the hips it is considered Gaeshi. To practice, the defender stands in Natural Stance (Shizen no Kamae) and begins to move from the right hip, by bending/ twisting in slightly. He uses this slight motion to generate momentum which he will use to bring his right leg back. The defender steps back with his right foot with a feeling of dropping/ falling back at a forty-five degree angle. The left foot will move back slightly following the right, so the defender now stands in left Correct-Eyes Stance (Hidari Seigan no Kamae). During the entire movement, the defender remains on the balls of his feet and must keep his legs active and easily able to move quickly. When he 'drops' back, his legs should still be active instead of rigid and unable to move.

Sacrifice Forms (Sutemi Gata)

Sacrifice Forms are techniques preformed with a mindset that’s fully committed to an action or movement to ensure success – high risk and high reward. The clearest example of this would be Sacrifice Throws (Sutemi Nage). Within these techniques, the defender throws the opponent by falling, dropping, or rolling on the ground. Sacrifice Throws are highly effective but leave the defender in a vulnerable position, hence their status as Sacrifice Forms.

Shielding (Totoku)

Shielding is not a set movement, but rather a principle. During techniques, the defender should constantly create protective barriers between himself and the opponent. These barriers not only include physical ones but mental ones as well – anything that prevents the opponent’s attack. These ‘Shields’ commonly include body parts, objects, and even empty space (Kukan).

Sideways Running (Sokushin Sokuho)

Sideways Running is a method of movement using Cross Walking (Yoko Aruki). The defender crosses his legs in an ‘X’ the same as with Cross Walking. But he also crosses his arms at the same time as his legs. The defender swings both his arms and legs open wide and repeats all of the movements to quickly run in a sideways fashion. Sideways Running is used for quickly covering large distances. According to legend, a person who would normally be able to walk 24 miles (10 ri) in a day could walk around 39 to 41 miles (16 – 17 ri) using this method. Sideways Running is even useful for narrow paths, uneven terrain, and surprise attacks.

Three Beats (Sanbyoshi)

Three Beats is a principle of attacking with rhythm. The defender moves with a Three Beat rhythm, smoothly and naturally flowing from one movement to the next. Three Beats, while generally used for three attacks, can also include the opponent’s reaction to an attack. For instance, the defender does an attack, the opponent's body turns, and the defender finishes with another attack – everything happening within Three Beats. The defender can also throw an opponent with Three Beats. A great example would be an Inner Hold Throw (Uchi Mata Nage) – the Three Beats being step across, step back, throw.

 

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