Tatsumi-ryu

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Tatsumi-ryu is a koryu bujutsu (old school art of war) still practiced today. It is also referred to as Tatsumi Ryu Battojutsu or Tatsumi Ryu Heiho.

It was found by Tatsumi Sankyo during the Eisho Period (1504-1520). The current head of the school is Kato Hiroshi, 22nd headmaster of the ryū.

Tatsumi-ryu is considered as a war time style, its teachings for direct application on the battlefield. Hence Tatsumi-ryu covers the use of a many Japanese melee weapons, many of which the Western interpretation of the samurai warrior normally neglects.

Tatsumi-ryu will generally cover the following forms:

Kenjutsu (odachi, kodachi, tanto, nito, fukuro shinai)
Iaijutsu (odachi, kodachi)
Yawara - Grappling and mutojutsu techniques.
Sojutsu (yari, naginata) - Spear Techniques.
Bojutsu (rokushaku bo, hanbo) - Staff techniques (for use when a spear breaks)
Shurikenjutsu - Small blade throwing techniques.
Hojojutsu - The technique of restraining an opponent with string or rope.
Shudan sentoho - The techniques and strategy for fighting against multiple opponents.
Monomi - Scouting & observation techniques.

Because of its broad approach, there is much cross weapon training (i.e sword vs spear). A common motto is 'One Technique, Many Weapons'.

Tatsumi-ryu uses the index finger to hold the tsuba in its Iaijutsu kata. The thumb is used to clear the habaki from the saya by pushing the tsuba out. This allows the user to twist the sword so that the blade is pointing down with out changing his grip on the tsuba, whilst still maintaining a grip on the tsuba when the blade is pointed up. This allows for a variety of different drawing angles, so that one could readily counter any angle of attack. Another trademark of this koryu is the absence of chiburi and the reversing of grip on the tsuka during noto in many of its kata. These eccentricities stem from the koryu's battlefield application.

Distinction should be made between Tatsumi-ryu and the peace time koryu. Styles such as Muso Shinden-ryu are more self defence orientated, to counter the oncoming attack of an assailant before he has a chance to strike. These styles were best suited during peaceful times, when the preferred weapon for personal defence was the uchi katana and was by law/custom to be kept sheathed when not in use. Tatsumi-ryu was a style for the battlefield, once the sword was out it stayed as such until it was battle was over or the owner perished. Emphasis on using different types of weapons is so that the practitioner was familiar with the attacking styles other weapons and hence able to counter them, or the unfortunate case of one's sword breaking and being forced to wield the closest available weapon.

References

Tatsumi Ryu Hyoho Official Website (In Japanese Only) 立身流総本部 [link]

Koryu - Tatsumi-ryu Hyoho [link]

Oshinkan Dojo - Tatsumi-ryu Hyoho (In French Only) [link]

Koryu in Australia - Tatsumi-ryu Hyoho [link]

Internation Hoplology Society - Tatsumi-ryu Hyoho [link]

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