Senjo Kumiuchi

Senjo Kumiuchi is the term used to describe the various battlefield grappling arts of the samurai. In later centuries the art broadly evolved into Ju Jutsu, the techniques of which form the basis of modern day Judo many of which in turn are seen in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

As we see repeatedly with many of the empty-handed arts, a samurai required training in combat grappling should he either find himself weaponless against armed opponents or because he clashed with an enemy and was too close to cut effectively with his sword. Samurai naturally wore armor to battle and this restricted the use of many direct attacks on weak points of the body with the result that few strikes were practiced. With regard to armor, as the manufacture of protective covering improved, as it became stronger and lighter, it allowed greater flexibility. With this development the technique of Senjo Kumiuchi also evolved with combatants enjoying greater freedom of movement. The design and availability of armor in Asian countries is a vital factor in the development of the various arts and not only those in Japan. Not only was the plate armor of the European knights unavailable, it was in any case impractical to wear in the hot, humid climate of Asia (as the knights themselves discovered when crusading in the Holy Land).

Senjo Kumiuchi on the Battlefield

On the battlefield opponents would lock together, grasping each others forearms in order to control any weapon that may have been held. From this position they would struggle to sweep, throw, trip or otherwise unbalance the enemy. Once the enemy was forced to the ground a finishing technique would be employed and another opponent sought. This was, by necessity, a very harsh form of combat. The aim was not to subdue or merely injure, but to kill as quickly and efficiently as possible. The techniques of Senjo Kumiuchi were designed to ensure that the maximum amount of damage could be inflicted, including throws that drove the opponent directly into the ground, preventing him from executing a successful break fall. Compare this to modern day Judo where the throws, many of which have their origins in the battlefield, have been purposely altered to allow competitors to be able to break fall successfully thereby promoting Judo as a safe sport. That isn't to say that against an untrained opponent these throws wouldn't be effective, but it is worth highlighting and considering the differences. Traditionally, the first part of the enemy’s body to come into contact with the ground would have optimally been his head (attempting to break his neck outright). In modern Japanese martial arts, such as Judo and Aikido, the opponent’s body is flipped to a greater extent, allowing him to land across his shoulders or on his back, most of the impact absorbed by the forearm(s) slamming the mat fractionally before the body lands to lessen the impact.

Another successful technique was to dive atop a thrown opponent, forcing the air from the lungs of the unfortunate warrior pinned down to the ground and leaving him severely winded and no doubt with numerous broken ribs. Considering that the aggressor would himself have been wearing armor, thereby increasing his weight, this technique could prove highly effective. Finally, amid the muck and gore, the samurai would either attempt to break the neck of his adversary or draw a dagger that would be plunged into the body of his prone opponent.

To fight in such a manner required great strength and courage. Slipping and sliding, colliding and close enough to smell your opponent's fear and look into his eyes, the battlefield was not for the feint of heart. Such fearsome techniques and the harsh training that went along with their development came to be used less frequently in the years following Japan’s civil war period (that is, from the early seventeenth century on). The techniques of Senjo Kumiuchi changed and evolved and new styles emerged. These styles were collectively called Ju Jutsu.

Heifuku kumiuchi

Heifuku Kumiuchi evolved from the tried and tested battlefield grappling arts of the samurai (Senjo Kumiuchi), but developed techniques in response to combat in normal, everyday clothing in a common setting. In Edo Japan (1600 - 1867) that meant a billowing pants that appear from a distance to be a skirt (hakama) and a kimono (similar to modern day kendo clothing). Along with the practice of the sword, as peace became longer lasting, the unarmed fighting arts of the samurai as witnessed on the battlefield changed. Such techniques were replaced with approaches more effective and useful for everyday life that was, for the most part, peaceful.

The Development of Heifuku Kumiuchi

Samurai at this time were still permitted to carry swords. Indeed, the wearing of two swords (the shorter wakizashi and the more famous katana) was the samurai badge above all others. Techniques then couldn’t entirely ignore the threat of facing an armed opponent (though this opponent was now unarmored), but responses in other, more common situations, had to be developed. Thus, for example, methods of fighting in a kneeling position were created, the kneeling position being the traditional manner in which Japanese people sit upon the floor or a cushion. In addition, as armor was no longer worn as a matter of course and combat was most likely to occur with little forewarning while wearing everyday clothes, greater use of techniques that attacked vulnerable parts of the body could be utilized. While armor had previously covered many weaker areas (with the intention of protecting them against sword strokes, arrows and such like) those same areas were now unblocked. As a result, different defensive tactics also had to be evolved to protect the defender who could not rely now on his bamboo armor absorbing a blow. There was also the assumption that in peacetime a fight would usually start with neither combatant armed. On the battlefield all participants would have drawn their weapons prior to the battle commencing. In peacetime then, new techniques were developed to try and ensure that a weapon couldn’t be subsequently drawn once combatants were engaged. Methods to control the arms (the right arm in particular as the samurai drew his blade from the left side of his body) of the opponent and limit his body movement were therefore experimented with and taught. In turn, Heifuku Kumiuchi schools developed ways to counter these controlling movements. If the worst should happen and a blade was pulled free, the concern of the defender now became to control and disarm the attacker as quickly and efficiently as possible, again departing from the battlefield art where the adversary would be thrown to the ground before his neck were broken. Some evidence suggests however that these latter disarming techniques themselves developed from Senjo Kumiuchi.

During this period commoners were also exposed to different fighting styles and they developed their own unique approach called Shomin Yawara. Commoners were prevented from carrying weapons, unless they were of the smaller variety that were easily concealed, nor did they have time to master difficult techniques over a life time of study. Devoid of a warrior tradition, to the techniques of ju jutsu the peasantry brought a different mentality to that of the samurai and the notion of defense pervaded the thinking and interpretation of the waza. Thus the stage was set to see further development of Heifuku Kumiuchi into modern day judo and, later, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Kendo

Kendo is the modern version of samurai swordsmanship. The origins of the samurai can be traced back to the tenth century when family members of local chieftains in what is now the Tokyo area would war with one another and terrorize weaker opposition. Through time these close-knit family war bands admitted outsiders who were bound to the group through ties of fictive kinship, resulting in a a lord-vassal relationship. Two of the most famous clans were the Genji and the Heike. At this time the bands were mounted and made primary use of the bow, which was their principle weapon. The sword would become their badge of status centuries later.

The ideals that would later be encapsulated in Bushido - the Way of the Warrior - were first seen in this early period which great emphasis placed on loyalty, honor, valor and the avoidance of shame.

The Heike (Taira) clan was finally defeated by the Genji (Minamoto) in 1185 and a new style of militaristic government was installed through the office of the Shogun. From this point on the samurai would rise to prominence. Perhaps predictably war followed and for more than one hundred years Japan found itself in a state of civil war. The training of the samurai, by necessity, became more specialized and three principle schools of swordsmanship emerged: Tenshin shoden shinto ryu, founded by Iizasa Choisai; Aisu kage ryu, founded by Aisu Ikosai; and Itto ryu, founded by Chujo Hyogo-no-kami Nagahide.

After the tumultuous civil war period Japan entered a period of almost complete peace that lasted for around 250 years. In this time weapons were modernized and European powers began employing conscript armies; the age of the specialized, elite warrior, was over. Though Japan lagged behind somewhat, when the country finally modernized the samurai class was abandoned and the combative battlefield arts went into disuse. During this period the techniques became ritualized and were passed on through the ages according to strict traditions. Interest however was dwindling and today classical schools are not well attended. In attempt to preserve the Way of the Sword while encouraging at least a degree of realism, the use of a shinai (bamboo practice sword) and bogu (protective armor) was introduced by Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato sometime between 1711-1715. By the end of the 18th century practice with this new equipment was becoming more widespread and popular, though of course traditionalists rejected the practice.

The term Kendo was coined in 1920 and rules and codes of practice became standardized. In 1952 the All Japan Kendo Federation was created and from there the art has slowly spread throughout the world, leading to the creation of the International Kendo Federation in 1970 and the establishment of a world championship.

As a form of self-defense Kendo is of course next to useless. Its attraction lies more in the recognition that through hard training the body and the mind can be conditioned to operate at a higher level. This is both a blessing and a curse. While this extreme training keeps the art somewhat relevant to modern life, it is also what puts off a lot of people from training, even in Japan.

In competition (shiai) targets include the head, the wrists and the ribs. Advanced students are also allowed to thrust at the throat. None of the targets were viable on the battlefield as they would have been too well protected. As each 'cut' is made the Kendo practitioner shouts out the name of his intended target. Action can become extremely fast and furious.

While shiai is the main focus, kata are also practiced that go some way to bridging the gap between the sport version and the techniques that were employed on the battlefield. Again, the kata have been modified and standardized but they reflect to a greater extend the origins of the art.

Return to the top of Kendo.

Chanbara

Tweet

Popularly speaking the term Chanbara is used to refer to sword fighting movies that story samurai warriors battling one another with dramatic martial arts skills designed more to please a cinema audience than represent traditional arts. In recent years however the term has also been used to describe one of Japan's newest martial arts, also known as Spochan.

The sport came about in 1971. Mr Tanabe, inspired by children 'playing' as samurai warriors and emulating the techniques they were seeing on the movie screen by using sticks and other makeshift 'swords', decided to make this children's game safer and more appealing as a competitive sport. He first used sponge weapons but these have now been replaced with 'air soft' swords which are completely safe to use and allow for the use of full power strikes (head protection and protection on other parts of the body is still used for further safety).

Matches are typically one one one, but variations include one against many and team fights. Handicapping is introduced when necessary by the use of weapons of unequal length. A teenager for example would be given a longer 'sword' to use when facing an adult.

The sport has spread around the world and now holds a World Championship periodically. Unlike the more traditional kendo Chanbara is purely seen as a sport and has the advantage of any good sport that anyone with minimal training can join in and participate from the off.

Return to the top of Chanbara.