Kukishinden Ryu Bojutsu

To grip the bo, the defender holds the bo firmly, but loosely, with his ring finger, pinkie, and thumb. The middle finger
offers little support and the index finger offers none at all - the index finger is often pointing striaght out to ensure proper grip.
When striking, the fingers of the hand nearest the striking end of the bo shift so that the bo can slide smoothly and fluidly. The
middle and index finger grip the bo and the pinkie and ring finger let go as that hand slides toward the other one. The fingers
of that hand kind of roll into their new position.
The basic full-length staff used in Kukishinden Ryu is the rokushakubo or six foot staff, though the hasshakubo (ight
!oot "taff# and $anashakubo ("e%en !oot "taff# were also used. !or more information on the rokushakubo click here
Rokushaku &o.
Stances (Kamae)
'll the stances gi%en here are with the left foot in the lead unless otherwise stated. &oth left and right %ersions of these
stances are used and should be learned. When the defender is in a stance in which the bo is directed at the opponent, the
defender should insure that the tip points directly at the opponent(s center line. When doing this, the defender should ha%e a
feeling of keeping the bo between himself and the opponent.
Number One Stance (Ichimonji no Kamae)
The defender stands with his feet about shoulder-width apart and either his left or right foot in the lead. The hands are
held a little more than shouder-width apart and both hands are palm down. The bo is held hori)ontally* parallel with the
ground.
Flat Number One Stance (Hira Ichimonji no Kamae)
The defender stands with his feet a little more than shoulder-width apart, his knees bent, and his body weight low. The
defender holds the bo with both hands palm down a little wider than shoulder-width apart. The bo is held hori)ontally* parallel
with the ground. There are low, middle, and high (+edan, ,hudan, and -odan# %ersions of this stance. $ormally, the bo is held
in the low position down by the hips. The middle position is below the chin and the high position is abo%e the head.
Correct ye Stance (Sei!an no Kamae)
The defender stands With his feet a little more than shoulder-width apart, his knees bent, and his body weight low. The
defender(s right foot is in the lead and the heels are in line. .ost of the body weight is on the rear foot. The hands are held a
little more than shouder-width apart. The left palm faces in toward the body and the right palm faces away from the body. The
defender holds the bo angled slightly upwards so that the tip is pointing in the opponent(s eyes from the defender(s
perspecti%e.
Hea"en#arth Stance ($enchi no Kamae)% i!ht &ays Stance (Hasso no Kamae)
The defender stands with the feet together in an / shape with the left foot forward or the defender can stand with his
lower body positioned the same as $umber 0ne "tance (1chimon2i no Kamae#. The defender holds the bo %ertically at the
right side of his body. The defender(s left hand holds the bo about ten inches up from the bottom. The left hand is positioned at
about the height of the diaphragm. The right hand is positioned on the bo at temple height. The bo will be on the inside of the
right shoulder against the right pectoral and the right elbow will be pointing out to the right. The right index finger will be
pointed up straight following the length of the bo. ' %ariation of this is for the defender to hold the bo %ertically out in front of
him similar to natural stance ("hi)entai#.
'nusual Stance (Ihen no Kamae)
The defender stands with his left foot forward and most of his body weight on the rear right leg. The defender(s knees
are bent and the heels are in line. The hands are kept slightly wider than $umber 0ne "tance (1chimon2i no Kamae#. The
&o2utsu ,ontinued