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Kotō-Ryū Koppōjutsu
Written by Masaaki Hatsumi, Translated by Luke Crocker
Koppōjutsu1 骨法術
散骨された骨は大空に舞い、波間にも舞う。生々流転、人の生淮は計りがたし。計りが
たきを追う韋駄天。舎利を拾い祭る。その一巻を、骨法術の秘巻とする。筆者は、義鑑
せい あ りゅう
流骨法術、玉心流骨法術を継ぎ、井蛙 流 骨法術を知り、蛙きた骨法術を、蛙なく田園
の庵にて記さん。
The scattering of cremated bones dances into the great sky, just as they dance on the
Waves. All things being in flux through the endless circle of birth, death and rebirth, a
person’s life is a predictable as the Huái River2 . One who tries to scheme through life is
called Idaten3. Pray to the bones of the cremated4. Regard that scroll as the secret scroll
of Koppōjutsu. I (the author), am the successor of Gikan-Ryū Koppōjutsu and Gyokushin-
Ryū Koppōjutsu, and am familiar with Seia-Ryū Koppōjutsu, the Koppōjutsu of the frog
which has retreated to the past is returning5.
1
Difficult to be translated into western ideas, the term Koppōjutsu implies the “crux” of a technique or skill,
perhaps a sense of doing away with the superfluous. Koppō may also be looked at as the “Knack” of doing
something, as in “getting the knack” of something. Along with Kosshijutsu (骨指術 combat techniques based on
the use of the fingers to attack vital points and break bones) Koppōjutsu (combat techniques based on breaking
bones and the use of the skeleton) were the basic techniques that jointly formed the foundation of combat
practice for the martial traditions of the provinces of Iga and Kōga.
2
River in Anhui province, “Kai” in Japanese.
3
Idaten 韋駄天 “A swift runner”; the name of a Buddhist deity.
4
Shari 舎利” those of a Buddha or Bodhisattva”
5
"frog" 蛙 and "return" 返 both have the same kun-yomi pronunciation of "kaeru"
1
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
6
kurai dori 位取 can be taken to mean “to take the situation or enemy and bend it to your will.” This is closely
linked to Tenmon and Chimon (天門地門) Geographic and astrological knowledge.
7
Shisei 姿精 “the essence of one’s manner or behavior”.
2
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
この図のごとき五つの位取りを五法という。この構えより蟹のごとく横に定む。則ちⅩ
字形に足をぶちちがえた形を速心早速法といつて、忍術家の横走り法として使った形
で、この練習によると普通の歩き方で一日十里歩く者は安々と十六、七里歩くことがで
きるし、また狭道でも心やすく通り抜けらるると同時に、敵の斬り込みに対し体が転じ
やすく、また飛び込みやすいというのである。一寸練習を要す。
右正眼は虚の構で、重心を左足に置いているが、敵の来るを見て軽く重心を右足
に転ずれば、敵進むあたわず。忽ち変じて左骨指突き入るという構えなり。
左正眼は拳と足とが当るという構えなり。
平一文字は相手方の隙を見出して、いつでも拳または指頭を出すことできる
体勢なり。
抱囲の構は腰を低く落し両手を顔面の高さに開いて、両足両手飛び込みの姿
勢なり。
防備の構は平然として、相手方にいつでも来たれ、我は敵意なき姿勢にて右手拳
のみ威厳を表わしたる構えなり。
The five Kurai Dori of this image are called Gohō. From these Kamae you move sideways
like a crab. This way of moving by crossing the legs in the form of an "X" is called
Sokushin Sōsokuhō8, Ninjutsu families put this method to use to run swiftly sideways, by
practicing this walk someone who was normally able to walk 10 ri in one day would be
able to walk 16 or 17 ri, 7 ri would be comfortable, this allows one to easily travel
through a narrow path and is good for the heart, calmly turn the body in response to the
opponent cutting in, and leaping in becomes easy. This needs a little practice.
Migi Seigan is the Kamae of falsehood, place your center of gravity on the left
foot, watch carefully as the opponent comes in and lightly turn your center of gravity to
the right foot, the opponent will be unable to advance. This Kamae can suddenly change
and thrust in with a left Koshi9.
Hidari Seigan is said to be the Kamae of striking with the fist and foot.
Hira Ichimonji is about allowing the opponent to discover your openings, at any time the
fist or fingertips are able to extend from the posture.
Hōtō no Kamae has the hips dropped low and both hands open at the height of
the face. This becomes the posture of leaping in with both hands and feet.
Bōbi no Kamae is done calmly, the opponent can come in at any time, I use a
non-hostile attitude with only the right fist that expresses dignity.
8
Sokushin Sōsoku Hō 速心早速法” Fast heart that acts immediately method”
9
Kosshi 骨指 “Bone of the Finger”
3
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
10
Gedan 下段 “lower level”
11
Asagasumi 朝霞” morning mist”
12
Sai 摧 “to Crush”
13
Kaku 搉 to knock.
14
Yaku 扼 “to prevent”
15
Kyūketsu 九穴 “nine holes”
16
Suigetsu 水月 “Moon on the Water”
4
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
"Shiten Hakkō no Issen"17. When practicing against a straw dummy made of straw, kicking in
with the foot, Koppō of the fingertips and the like, and according to those skills, that practice
should be hard. To have shape and form, it is important to grasp straightforward practice
without rushing.
17
Shiten Hakkō no Issen 四天八光の一閃 “Four Heavens and Eight Lights in a single flash”
18
Kasumi Kinketsu 霞禁穴 “Mist, Forbidden point”
19
Gankotsu 含骨 “Cherished Bone”
20
Koshi Nage 腰投 “Hip Throw”
21
Boshi 母指 “Thumb”
22
Shichibatsu 七抜 “Seven Omissions”
23
Butsumetsu 仏滅 “Buddha's Death”
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3, as the opponent comes in for a right Koshi Nage, by first extending my right hand out
to the rear the opponent's throw becomes ineffective.
Applying pressure with the Boshi to the Shichibatsu will make the opponent
unable to stand for seven days, therefore be careful with this form.
24
Uke Nagashi 受流 “Receiving Flow”
25
Omote Kimon 表鬼門 “Outside demon's Gate”
26
Niō Ken 仁王拳 “Guardian Deva King's fist”
27
Seoi Nage 背負投 “back carry throw”
6
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
28
Uke 受 “Receive”
29
Koe 声 “voice”
30
Hoshi 星 “star”
31
Ukenagashi 受流 “Receiving Flow”
32
Yugasumi 夕霞 “Evening Mist”
33
Suzu 鈴 “Bell”
7
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
34
yoroi 甲 “Armor”
35
Gorin 五輪 “Five Rings”
36
Asagasumi 朝霞 “Morning glow”
37
Gantsubushi no kamae 眼潰の構 “Attitude of crushing the eye”
8
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
38
Uchi Komu 打ち込む “To drive in” (e.g. Nail or a stake)
39
Jakken 弱筋 “Weak Sinew”, also pronounced Jaku Suji.
40
Butsumetsu 仏滅 “Buddha’s death”, a very unlucky day according to ancient almanacs.
41
Suzu 鈴 “bell”
42
Kyōjitsu 虚実 “truth and falsehood becoming interchangeable”
9
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
43
Toki 時 “time”
44
Kō, yoroi 甲 “armor”, referring to the knee.
45
Yaku 扼 “grasp, clutch, or strangle (a strategic position)”.
46
Amado 雨戸 “rain door”
10
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
Katamaki 片巻
相手方が両手拳で打ち来る。
入れ込んで両手にて受け止め、右手で敵の腕を外側より内側へ巻込んで、左手拇指の仏
滅に打ち込み倒す。
The opponent comes in to strike with both fists.
Receive both hands and then clinch, the right hand wraps the opponent’s arm from the
outside inward, strike into Butsumetsu with the left thumb to knockdown.
右の表形十八形左技を捕り込みて三十六法とす。 前にも申したるごとく、形は形に
て、吾より行う技を正しく打ち込むことのできることが大事である。この形のうちに相
手方が手胸を捕る、両胸を捕るとあることはその例に於てで、骨法術の原則として、相
手方に胸を捕らしむるごときことは原則に反することにて、例えば片胸を捕るとすれば
既に勝利である。なんとなれば、片胸を捕り、強く手元に引くと同時に強く押し当てる
ことに於て、左右どちらかの鬼門に当て込むことができるからである。
When you take the eighteen forms that are normally done to the right and pair them
with their eighteen ura done to the left, they become the thirty-six methods (sanju
roppō; 三十六法). As in previous techniques, make surer to have proper form, and
perform the waza carefully. In this principle of Koppōjutsu, letting the opponent grab
your chest is bad, but conversely, if you can take the initiative and grab the opponent’s
chest, you are already winning. So, with the one hand having taken the chest, pull
strongly toward you and at the same time push in and strike, and you can hit into either
the left or right kimon.
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Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
次に背負い、腰投等にかかることは、技にかかるように相手方のどこかを捕っているか
らで、我が手を後方に開いて敵のどこも捕つていなければ、投げはかからぬものであ
る。例えば一寸腰を下げて、両手を我が後方に開いて、相手方に投げさせるべし。達人
にても投げることができない。ただ外掛、内掛だけは倒ぎれることがある。これとても
敵に自由にせしむるからで、防げばなんでもないことであん 注意。
Regarding seoi nage or koshi nage, you are also grabbing a part of the opponent to
execute the technique. Thus, if you avoid being grabbed by the opponent by spreading
your hands out behind you, it will be impossible for him to throw you. For example,
lower your hips 1 sun47 and spread both hands out behind, rendering it impossible for
your opponent to execute a throw. The only thing that could knock you over from this
position would be sotogake or uchigake. This is because you have allowed the opponent
freedom to move, but this shouldn’t pose you any difficulties, and the opponent should
be relatively easy to control. (Masaaki 86)
敵を面上に斬り込み来る。右向げの体勢に転じて体をかわすと同時に入れ込んで右足で
敵の腕の星を蹴り上げる。敵の刀を落す。入れ込んで右手五指を敵の顔面に当て込み倒
す。
The opponent takes the attitude of Daijōdan, just about to cut in. I take the attitude of
Seigan.
The opponent comes in to cut from above. Turn the body to face the right while
simultaneously putting forth the right foot to kick up into the opponent’s hoshi50. The
opponent drops the sword. Strike into the opponent’s face with the five fingers of the
right hand to knock him down.
47
Sun 寸 an old unit of measurement in Japan – 1 sun is equal to about 3 centimeters
48 The important thing of this level is to move in a clockwise direction – this will make it difficult for the uke to cut towards you.
(Manaka 54)
49 Boku 蹴朴 “Celtis sinensis var. japonica”
50 Hoshi 星 “Star”
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Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
相手方は剣を中段の構え。
吾は平一文字の構えとす。
敵が右胴に斬り込み来る。我は右足で後方左横に飛び、 敵が再び大上段にせんとする
時、飛び込んで敵の星を右手で掴み、右足敵水月を蹴り込んで倒す。
The enemy comes to cut into the right side. I leap back to the left side using the right
foot, at that moment the enemy moves back into Daijōdan no kamae, leap in and with
the right hand grab the enemy’s hoshi, and kick into the enemy’s suigetsu to knock him
down.
吾は抱囲の構えとす。
敵が突き入り来る。右足で敵の右足前に横前進。左手にて敵の右手首を掴み、右手拳に
て敵右手表逆を強く打つ。敵剣を落す。体を右に転じ、 左足に座す。敵仰向けに倒
る。
I am in Hōko no kamae.53
The enemy enters in to thrust. Advance the right foot diagonally in front of the enemy’s
right foot. With the left hand grab the enemy’s right wrist, with the right fist strike
strongly into the enemy’s right arm omote gyaku54. The enemy drops his ken. Turn the
body to the right, sit on the left leg. The enemy falls face up.
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Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
吾は防備の構え。
右手手刀にて敵の両眼左右を打つ。
I am in Bōbi no kamae.
The enemy comes to cut in. Turn the body to the right while advancing, hit the enemy’s
nagare55 with a right shutō, the enemy’s ken is dropped. Hit both of the enemy’s eyes
with a right shutō.
吾は左正眼の構え。
敵が斬り込み来る。 一寸右へ体を転じ、右手拳にて敵の弱筋を横より強く突き、同時
に右足で敵の仏滅を蹴り倒す。
Life’s Secret Hope56 - The opponent stands with a ken in Daijōdan no kamae.
The enemy comes to cut in. At that moment turn the body to the right, with the right
fist thrust to the side of the enemy’s jakkin57 strongly, simultaneously kick into the
enemy’s Butsumetsu58 with the right foot to knock him down.
55 Nagare 流 “flow”
56 Seibikibō 生秘希望 “Life’s Secret Hope”
57 Jakkin 弱筋 “Weak muscle”
58 Butsumetsu 仏滅 “Buddha’s Death; a very unlucky day (according to old almanacs).
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Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
Bakko 跋扈 (Domination)
相手方が剣を中段の構え。
吾は防備の構え。
敵が右胴に斬り込み来る。吾は左前に体を転じ、 右手拳で敵の人に打ち込み倒す。
I am in Bōbi no kamae.
The enemy comes to cut into the right side of the body. I advance the body forward and
to the left, and strike into the enemy’s jin59 with the right fist to knock him down.
吾は抱囲の構えとす。
敵が大上段に斬り込み釆る。吾は体を落し、右足で前進し、左足に坐し、右手拳を敵の
水月に打ち込み倒す。
I am in Hōko no kamae.
He enemy cuts in from Daijōdan no kamae. I drop my body, advance with the right foot,
sitting on the left foot, strike into the enemy’s suigetsu with the right fist to knock him
down.
59 Jin 人 “person”
15
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
吾は平一文字に構える。
敵が突きに来る。 我は右足を右へ大きく開いて体を転じる。敵が忽ち剣を右胴に斬り
込み来る。我は敵の前に前進し、 両手を地に突き、体を落して同じく前に飛び返り、
両足にて敵の水月を蹴り込み倒す。
右技は姶めより必ず型が終れば元の位置に帰り、位取り、 残心のことは武道家の大事
たり。
The opponent thrusts in. I turn the body to open wide to the right in a large movement
with the right foot. The enemy immediately moves to cut in to the right side. I move to
the front of the enemy, thrust both hands to the earth, and with the body dropped leap
up, and kick into the enemy’s suigetsu with both feet to knock him down.
In the migi waza it is important to finish the kata silently and in the same position that
you started, kurai dori,60 and zanshin are very important to the budō-ka.
60
Kurai Dori 位取り “To take a position”, physically, geographically, and psychologically.
16
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
右手で敵の霞返しを右手手刀で打つと同時に、右足先を敵の鈴に掛け倒して、右足を引
き、残心の構。
右技も同じ。
Counter the opponent’s right hand with a right shutō62 to kasumi63 at the same time,
with the right foot hook the enemy’s suzu64 to knock him down, pull back the right foot,
zanshin no kamae.65
右手拇指先を敵の左雨戸に当て入れ、同時に両足で敵の胴をはさみ締めて、忽ち両手に
て敵の両足きびすを引くと、敵は仰向けに倒る。右足にぶら則ち足形で編み締めにす。
左技も同じ。
Strike into the enemy’s left amedo66 with the right boshi,67 at the same time wrap both
legs around the enemy’s torso, and suddenly pull out both of the enemy’s feet with
61
Kuden: The Chūden Gata is training for making the body movement nimble. This level is derived from Hichōjutsu
(technique of the leaping bird; 飛鳥術), a technique for disguising and concealing kicks while being able to negate
the enemy’s techniques before they are able to perform them. With this in mind, these techniques should be
performed with a strong emphasis on the timing of your movements. Also, perform the techniques from any
kamae, any attack, and also while approaching the enemy, and the enemy approaching you. (Manaka)
62
Shutō 手刀 “blade of the hand”
63
Kasumi 霞 “Mist”
64
Suzu 鈴 “bell”
65
zanshin no kamae 残心の構 “Attitude of the Remaining Mind”. “Zanshin in Japanese means kokoro ga nokoru.
You have (are) fighting, but don't let yourself go away. Your mind, your body, is still here. You don't know what can
happen." (Zoughari)
66
Amedo 雨戸 “Rain door”
67
Boshi 拇指 “Thumb”
17
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
both hands, the enemy falls face up. Entwine his leg and tighten. This skill is the same
on the left side.
右手五指にて敵の面部の左当と入むに当て込むと同時に、 右足陰に蹴り込み、 引い
て残心の構。
左技も同じ。
Strike into the opponents face with the five fingers of the right hand, at the same time
kick in with the right foot with in,68 and pull back into zanshin no Kamae.
左技も同じ。
With the three fingers of the right hand strike into the opponents omote kimon69, using
the reaction, kick in to the left and right butsumetsu70 while both hands come to the
ground. With the movement turn-over once, return to your former position and
zanshin.
68
In 陰 “Yin [-Yang]”
69
Omote kimon 表鬼門 “outside of the demon’s gate”
70
Butsu metsu 仏滅 “the day that Buddha passed away, thus an unlucky day”
18
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
左技も同じ。
Strike into the opponent’s right amedo with a right shutō, strike into the left amedo with
a left-handed shutō, leap backward, zanshin.
左技も同じ。
Grip the armpit with the four hands of the right hand71, strike into butsumetsu with the
thumb, twist as you strike in. at the same time kick in to the opponent’s koi 72with the
right leg to knock him down. Pull back and zanshin.
71
Here it says migite no shide 右手の四手 (lit. four hands of the right hand), however it is speculated that this is
referring to the four fingers of the right hand.
72
Koi 声 “sound”
19
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
左技も同じ。
Drop the hips and receive with both hands, leap out of the way to avoid. The opponent
moves to leap in again, wrapping the left wrist, he attempts a koshi nage. Strike into the
opponent’s left butsumetsu with the right elbow, immediately strike up into the
opponents face with the fist, with the left hand grasping the face drop the body
sufficiently and execute kakete nage 73with the right leg.
右手三指にて敵の一当、三当時の当三ヵ所を同時に下に押す。ちようど猫がかくがごと
押し当て故に鼠捕りともいう。左手の五指と手の掌を上向けにして、敵の朝霞を当て倒
す。引いて残心。
左技も同じ。
Three fingers of the right hand to the opponent’s one point76, then strike down and
push the three points simultaneously. Push down in the manner that a cat scratches
73
Kakete nage 掛けて投げ “hooking throw”
74
This has also been written in Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai (Masaaki 90) as 鼠飛 (Nezumi hi/tobi;
leaping rat).
75
Musasabi 鼯 “Flying Squirrel” Petaurista leucogenys
76
Ichi tō 一当 “single point”
20
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
which is why this is also called nezumi tori77. The five fingers and palm of the left hand
face up, to the opponent’s asagasumi78 strike to knock down. Pull back and zanshin.
前と同じく三指にて敵の一当、三当時の当三ヵ所を一時に下に押し当て入れ、左手五指
を敵の右当と人当に突き当て、右横一間ほど飛退き、残心。
左技も同じ。
Similar to before three fingers of the right hand to the opponents one point, then strike
down and push the three points simultaneously, with the five fingers of the left hand
thrust into the opponent’s right tōjintō79, then leap to the right about one ken, zanshin.
右手にて敵の左脇下腕付根前方に右親指で指を当て上部に突き上げる。右足甲で敵の左
摧を蹴り込んで退き、残心。
左技も同じ。
With the thumb of the right hand thrust up into the opponent’s left underarm where it
meets the torso. The right shin kicks into the opponent’s left sa80i and pull back, zanshin.
77
Nezumi tori 鼠捕 “grasping/catching a rat”
78
Asagasumi 朝霞 “morning glow, morning mist (haze)”
79
Tōjinō 当人当 “the person in question (?)”
80
Sai 摧 (break, destroy, devastate, ravage, repress)
21
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
右手三指にて敵一當、三當時のあたりを一時に下に押し当て入れ、同時に左足鈴を蹴り
上げて倒す。残心。
左技も同じ。
Three fingers of the right hand to the opponent’s ittō81, at this time strike and press
down to the three points, simultaneously kick up to suzu with the left foot. Zanshin. This
skill is the same on the left side.
右手にて朝霞。拳にて突き上げるのと同時に、足右にて内股のごとくして突き倒す。残
心。
左技も同じ。
Right hand to asagasumi. Simultaneously thrust up with the fist, right foot to the inner
thigh82 and thrust to knock down. Zanshin. This skill is the same on the left side.
81
Ittō 一當(one: to be, to act as, manage, withstand, when, during, ought, should, match equally, equal, same,
obstruct, just at (a time or place), on the spot, right, just at)
82
Uchimata 内股 (inner thigh), suggests uchimata uchi gake form Jūdō.
22
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
右手にて我が片胸を捕り、 左手にて我が右袖を掴み、内股に掛けて投げんとす。
吾は右手拳を敵の内股に掛けた足の搉の裏を上より拳で打ち落し、左手拳にて敵の胸を
持つ右腕の星を下より打ち上げ、退いて残心。
左技も同じ。
With the right hand grab the chest, with the left hand grab the right sleeve, and hook
with uchimata84 to throw.
I knock down the enemy’s leg that is performing the uchimata gake with the right fist to
the inside of the thigh, with the right fist strike up from underneath to the enemy’s
hoshi of the right arm, step back to zanshin.
吾は正眼の構えとす。敵は小刀を真一文字に我が胸に突き来る。 その時左足に重心を
置いて体を落し、引く敵の小刀が我が右側に流れる。我が右手の五指は星を突き、同時
に左手で敵の小刀を持つ手首を掴み、 右足を一歩入り込んで右手拳にて敵の右手表逆
を内側に打つ。敵の小刀は飛ぶ。
直ちに、 右手栂指を敵の表逆に当て持ちて、体を右向けに転化する。敵は右手逆俯け
となり倒る。 左足にて敵の左足摧を蹴り上げ、 突き倒す。 残心。
左技も同じ。
83
The main emphasis of the Okuden Gata is on Taihenjutsu (Body Movement). When performing these techniques,
you must focus all of your intention and your spirit at the Uke with the feeling of no beginning and no end as far as
the techniques go – i.e. think about the before, and the after. When you have finished each technique, you remain
in a state of readiness to deal with numerous enemies whilst at the same time keeping your focus on the Uke
(Zanshin) – this is an important part of the Okuden level. (Manaka 46)
84
Uchimata 内股 “Inside of thigh”
23
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
I am in Seigan no kamae. The enemy comes in to thrust in a straight line86 to the chest.
At that moment drop the body to shift the center of gravity to the left leg, as the
enemy’s shōtō flows by on my right side pull it. With the five fingers of the right hand
thrust into the hoshi87, simultaneously grab the enemy’s wrist that holds the shōtō with
the left hand, strike into the inside of the enemy’s omote gyaku88 with the right fist
while entering in with the right foot. The enemy’s shōtō is sent flying.
Immediately, strike the enemy’s omote gyaku with the right thumb and hold, change
and pivot the body to the right. With the enemy’s hand in a gyaku he falls face-down.
With the left leg kick up into the enemy’s sai, Thrust down. Zanshin.
吾は左足を一歩敵の右足前に飛び込む。と同時に左手拳にて敵の右手の星を突き上げ、
忽ち左右両手同時に八葉を平掌打ちにする。 右足脛にて鈴を蹴り上るのと同時。 残
心。
左技も同じ。
Take one step with the left leg and leap in front of the enemy’s right leg. With the left
fist simultaneously thrust into the enemy’s left hoshi, suddenly strike the happa89 with
the palms of both hands. At the same time kick up into suzu with the right shin. Zanshin.
85
Shōtō 小刀 “short sword”
86
Ma Ichimonji 真一文字 “straight; as the crow flies”
87
Hoshi 星 “Star”
88
Omote gyaku 表逆 “Outside reverse”
89
Happa 八葉 “Eight Leaves”
24
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
吾は両手掌にて一時に敵の左右の八葉を打つのと同時に、我が面部にて敵の顔面の人当
に打ち付ける。残心。
左技も同じ。
The opponent comes in and grabs the lapels with both hands, and prepares to choke.
At the same time strike the enemy’s happa with both palms, strike into the enemy’s
jintō90 with your head. Zanshin.
吾は左足を一歩敵の右足前に進め、左手手刀にて敵の雨戸を打ち、 右側に飛んで残
心。
左技も同じ。
Take one step with the left leg, and place it in front of the enemy’s right leg, hit the
enemy’s uko91 with the left shutō, leap to the right side and maintain zanshin.
90
Jintō 人当 “appropriate person”
91
Uko 雨戸 “Rain Door”
25
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
右手で十字路を下に突き当て、同時に体は右斜めとなつて、右足で敵の五輪を蹴り倒
す。技で右手を使うのと、右足を使うのと、体を斜めにするのとは三拍子。残心。
左技も同じ。
Thrust into the jūjiro92 with the right hand, simultaneously turn the body diagonally to
the right, the right leg kicks into gorin93 to knock the enemy down. This is the skill of
using the right hand, the right leg, and turning the body diagonally to keep time with
sanbyōshi94. Zanshin.
吾は左右の両手にて敵の両脇を掴み、栂指を両手とも仏滅に当て、持ちて体を一寸左斜
めにひねり、左足を右後方に座して投げ、三拍子。残心。
左技も同じ。
With both of my hands grab both sides of the enemy95, with the thumbs of both hands
strike into Butsumetsu, while holding on turn the body diagonally to the left, sit with the
left leg behind the right to throw, sanbyōshi. Zanshin.
92
Jūjiro 十字路 “Crossroads”
93
Gorin 五輪 “Five Rings”
94
Sanbyōshi 三拍子 “Triple time” as found in Japanese musical theory; the three requisites.
95
Waki 脇 “sides” in this context may refer to the armpits, I (Luke) have learned this as grabbing the skin on the
sides of the torso.
26
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
吾は両手で敵の襟上を掴み、両手栂指で左右の襟を下に押し、引いて、 我が前頭にて
面に打ち付け、右足で敵の声に掛け、車返しにして、我は敵と共に一転回、中返りして
敵を馬乗りなし締め、 残心。
左技も同じ。
I catch the enemy’s upper collar with both hands, push down on both sides with the
thumbs, and pull, thrust your forehead into his face, the right foot hooks the enemy’s
koi, perform kuruma gaeshi96, I turn over once with the enemy, choke the enemy with
umanori97 and perform chūgaeri. Zanshin
吾は両手で敵の八葉を左右もろともに打ち、両足で敵の水月を蹴り、吾は中返りして元
の位置に。
この技は、練習の数回初めは中返りに手を地をついて、その反動を利用すべし。
左技
右手にて雨戸を当てただけで、両足を水月に当て入れ、 中返り。残心
I strike with both hands to the enemy’s happa, with both feet kick into the enemy’s
suigetsu, I execute chūgaeri98 and return back to the starting place.
With this skill, begin by practicing chūgaeri with the hands touching the earth, use this
reaction.
Hidari waza
96
Kuruma gaeshi 車返し “Wheel Reverse”
97
Umanori 馬乗り “Horseback riding”, refers to straddling the opponent like riding a horse.
98
Chūgaeri 中返り “Middle Reversal”
27
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
Just as the right hand strikes uko, both legs strike into suigetsu, chūgaeri, zanshin.
右手で敵の脇下を掴み、栂指で鬼門を押し、同時に腰を入れて左足を引き、 座して投
げ。 左技も同じ。
Catch hold of the opponent’s underarm with the right hand, push into the kimon99 with
the thumb, simultaneously insert the hip and pull back the left leg, sit and throw. Hidari
waza is also the same.
前と同じく脇下を掴み、栂指で鬼門を押し、当て込み、同時に敵の両足の中に我が身体
を流し込む。敵は俯け、 顔面地上に打ち付け倒る。
左技
左技は我が体を右へ横流し、 横捨身。
Grab the armpit as before, push into kimon with the thumb, strike in, simultaneously
with both feet between the enemies’s legs my body flows in. The enemy falls face down,
drive the head straight up into the face of the enemy to knock him down.
Hidari Waza
In Hidari waza my body flows to the right with yoko nagashi100, yoko sutemi101.
99
Kimon 鬼門 “Demons Gate”
100
Yoko nagashi 横流し “Flowing Sideways”
101
Yoko Sutemi 横捨身 “Sideways sacrifice”
28
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
右手はちょうど乳を掴むがごとくにして、五指をもって五輪を突き当てる。この五輪は
表鬼門のこと。右足甲にて五輪腹部を蹴り倒す。
左技も同じ。
Move as though to grab the chest with the right hand, strike into gorin with the five
fingers. This gorin is the omote kimon. With the instep of the right foot kick into
abdomen gorin to knock down.
I turn the body to the side, retreat with a leap backwards, don’t do anything, and also
don’t escape. The enemy becomes impatient. As the enemy becomes more urgent leap
in and strike amado or kirigasumi102, kimon, Butsumetsu and so on, strike fiercely into
an easy target, the enemy should fall with a single blow.
102
Kirigasumi 霧霞 “Misty haze”
29
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
吾は彼の顔眼を見つめるごとく、 実は敵のまつ毛を見つめ、敵が近づくことのできな
いこと眼心一如不動身のいわれ、これ一種の不可思議な術なり。
現在の波及術同様、この術は一心一念による大事なり。
Stare into the eyes, the truth is we stare at the eyelashes, the enemy is unable to
approach because of Ganshin Ichijō Fudōshin104, and this is a kind of mysterious105
technique.
Mayuge 眉毛 (Eyebrows)
極楽は まゆげのうえのつるしもの あまりの近さに見つけぎりける
道元禅師
Paradise108 is, something that is suspended just above the eyebrows, so close that you
can’t find it. –Dōgen Zenshi109
103
This can also mean 1) an incredibly short span of time (i.e. the time occupied by a single thought –Buddhist
connotation); 2) a single repetition of a prayer (especially in Jōdō-shu Buddhism).
104
Ganshin Ichijō Fudōshin 眼心一如不動身 “The eyes and spirit are one, the body is immovable”
105
Fukashigi 不可思議 “mystery; something inexplicable; wonder; miracle. Unfathomable (of a Buddha’s abilities).
106
Hakyūjutsu 波及術 “Extraordinary techniques”
107
Isshin Ichinen 一心一念 “Committing the whole heart into a single purpose”
108
Gokuraku 極楽 “Sukhavati (Amitabha’s Pure Land)”
109
Buddhist Monk, 1200-53
30
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
The enemy comes to attack in the dark of night. Drop the hips sufficiently, don’t look at
the man, but skillfully observe the movement of the air110. Impale a shōban111 into the
direction of that parson. And in the case that there is a great number of enemy that day,
throw senban112 at the enemy in eight directions. The way of throwing a rock like a
plate, we place the senban on the index finger of the right hand, the middle finger, ring
finger, and little finger are placed underneath, and I position my wrist in the direction of
the enemy, and snap with the wrist. Throw forward with caution, this is an important
secret.
Edged Plate
Understand senban to mean enlightened direction (senban; 閃万).113
手向かわぎれば
ただ祈れ
対手せぬ術
-白龍翁
110
Kūki 空気 “air; atmosphere”
111
Shōban/Seiban 錆盤 “Rusty plate”
112
Senban 銛盤 “Edged plate”
113
Senban 閃万 “May also be interpreted as 10,000 flashes”
31
Luke Crocker Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu CMARA
References
Manaka, Unsui. Kotō-Ryū Koppōjutsu (虎倒流骨法術). Tokyo, 2009. Manuscript (伝書).
Masaaki, Hatsumi. Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai. Trans. Luke Crocker. Tokyo: Kodansha
International, 2008. Book.
Stockholm 2010 Gyokko Ryu & Toujutsu. Perf. Kacem Zoughari. Stockholm. 2010.
<http://onmitsukage.com/programs/stockholm-2010-gyokko-ryu-toujutsu>.
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