Togakure Ryu Taijutsu Ukemi Gata

The Art of the Body Receiving Forms (Taijutsu Ukemi Gata)

These are normally done while wearing shuko. However, the techniques listed here are written as empty handed forms, but can easily be performed with shuko. In order to perform the following techniques, one should be familiar with:

• Togakure Ryu Stances
• Togakure Ryu Toujutsu
  
• Gyokko Ryu Kyusho and Koto Ryu Kyusho
• Gyokko Ryu Fists and Koto Ryu Fists
• and, most importantly, Gyokko Ryu Rolling Techniques
  

Returning Bird (Kaeshi Dori)

The opponent has a katana raised in Big Higher-Level Stance (Daijodan no Kamae) and steps forward to cut down. As soon as the opponent starts to move, the defender places both hands on the ground and rolls over his shoulders onto his back. As the defender lands on his back, he kicks both feet into the opponent's stomach. The defender uses his feet to push off the opponent's stomach, go into a back roll, and stand up. This technique is about learning the appropriate distances where the defender can move in and attack while at the same time the opponent is unable to attack.

Flowing Fist (Ken Nagare)

The opponent has a katana raised in Big Higher-Level Stance (Daijodan no Kamae) and steps forward to cut down. As soon as the opponent starts to move, the defender places both hands on the ground and rolls over both shoulders. But this time, he rolls all the way over to come up onto one knee. As he does this, the defender swings his right fore-knuckles (Shikan Ken) into the opponent's solar plexus (Suigetsu). The defender turns around to face the opposite direction without standing up and does another roll. As the defender stands up, he turns to face the opponent.

First Stance (Ichi no Kamae)

The defender stands in First Stance (Ichi no Kamae) and the opponent begins in Big Higher-Level Stance (Daijodan no Kamae). As the opponent cuts downward, the defender moves to either the left or right and can strike with either an Outward Sword-Hand (Omote Shuto Ken) or an Inner Sword-Hand (Ura Shuto Ken). Because of this, there are four strikes (two for each hand) that the defender should practice when performing this technique. The defender can also perform this Kata starting in Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae). When the opponent cuts down, the defender can step forward, swing the rear foot back out of the way of the cut, and strike with a shuto ken as he assumes First Stance (Ichi no Kamae).

Single Sword Grab (Itto Dori)

The defender starts in right First Stance (Ichi no Kamae) and the opponent starts in Big Higher-Level Stance (Daijodan no Kamae). The opponent steps forward with a downward cut. The defender steps in with his left foot, drops low under the opponent's arms, and uses his left hand to stop the opponent's right hand. The defender then steps around with his right foot and strikes with a right inner sword-hand (Ura Shuto Ken) into the space above opponent's upper lip (Jinchu).

Side Kick (Yoko Geri)

The opponent begins in Correct-Insight Stance (Seigan no Kamae) and the defender begins in Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae/ Shizentai). The opponent shifts forward, stabbing at the defender's stomach. The defender steps forward to the left at a slight diagonal, drops his hips, and does right kick up into the opponent's right wrist. The defender finishes with a right fore-knuckle strike (Shikan Ken) into the opponent's solar plexus (Suigetsu).

Single Sword Cut (Ittou Giri)

Both the defender and opponent wield katana. The defender starts in Correct-Insight Stance (Seigan no Kamae) and the opponent begins in Big Higher-Level Stance. As the opponent steps forward and cuts down, the defender steps forward to the left with the left foot and allows the opponent's sword to sail past his right shoulder. At the same time as this foot movement, the defender slices (Kiri Kaesu) up from left to right with a stabbing motion into the opponent's right side. While doing all of this, the defender never stops moving his feet and continues to walk past the opponent to escape. The name suggests that the defender will cut the opponent down all at once and this is a useful technique for fighting multiple opponents.

 

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