Following are my personal notes from training the Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu Kamae with Unsui Sensei. Please pay close attention to alignment of intent and correct mechanics of the body. These kamae are not simple, and should truly exhaust you if trained properly. Please comment below with any questions, I am happy to help however I can.
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KAMAE 構 え
The Kamae of Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu are taken from Koto Ryu Koppojutsu. When training Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu, Unsui Sensei had us train the kamae of Koto Ryu within the waza of Togakure Ryu.
Ichi no Kamae 一之構
Not letting the opponent come near
Left foot in front, directly behind left heel is right heel with right toes pointing 45° to the rear. Your left arm is almost straight out (only slightly bent) with the hand pointing directly at the opponent’s heart. Your right hand will be at your left shoulder with the palm facing your throat - your weight is about 70/30 to the rear. Your spine will be on the same plane as your lead leg. This kamae is done on both sides.
Hira Ichimonji no Kamae 平一文字之構
To gently wrap your opponent or letting the opponent’s force go by
With the body facing forward, step both feet slightly beyond the shoulder width. Extend both arms outward with the palms facing forward. The hands are held at the same height as your temple. This stance is low and flat. Bring the hands back to a point where you can just see your hands in your peripheral vision.
Hachimonji no Kamae 八文字之構
To powerfully defeat your opponent
This posture is similar to Ichi no kamae with the left foot forward but slightly closer inward to the right foot. The footwork of this kamae is identical to Koto Ryu Seigan no Kamae. The left arm is extended outward with the left hand directed at the opponent’s eyes. The right arm is held over the head with the elbow at the ear height. The hand is closed in a soft fist, as though holding an egg. The thumb is held similar to boshi-ken with the pinky side of the hand facing the opponent. The correct distribution of weight in this kamae is 60/40 favoring the rear foot.
Happo Gakure no Kamae 八方隠之構
To stand ready to scatter metsubushi at any moment
The posture resembles hook no kamae of the Koto Ryu. The feet are closer to a low horse stance posture with a “loaded” feeling of releasing upward. The arms are held over the head with the elbows at the ear height. The palms of both hands are closed and turned inward.
Ton So no Kamae 遁走之構
The feeling of throwing while escaping to the rear
This posture is the same as Ichi no kamae with the difference being the position of the arms. With the left foot forward, bring the left hand inside the lapel of your keikogi as though accessing a hidden weapon. The right hand is palm facing the back of your right hand (outside of the keikogi). All other important points are the same as Ichi no kamae.
End of notes ...
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1 май 2023
