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Written by Merlyn - e-mail
This is an often seen, but little studied weapon. I have a little information on this weapon which I present here, so those who are unfamiliar with the weapon may gain a little insight.
The Kyoketsu Shoge, which means "to run about in the fields and mountains", was thought to have developed before the more widely known kusarigama (sickle and chain). The Kyoketsu Shoge is a double edged blade with another blade attached at 90 degrees to it. This is attached to roughly 18 feet of rope, chain or hair which then ends in a large metal ring.
Almost exclusively used by the ninja, the kyoketsu shoge had a multitude of useful applications. The blade could be used for pulling slashes as well as thrusting stabs. The chain or cord, sometimes made from women's or horses hair for strength and resiliency, could be used for climbing, ensnaring an enemy, binding an enemy and many such other uses. The long range of the weapon combined a cutting tool with the capability to strike or entangle an enemy at what he perceived to be a 'safe' distance out of the way.
As far as I am aware there are no formal kata for the Kyoketsu Shoge. It appears to be a weapon that is often dropped into a technique just the same as Kusari Fundo. Hatsumi Sensei has shown the weapon at several Tai Kai's. For example at the 1992 UK Taikai he demonstrated some kamae with the weapon:
Perhaps the most well known technique with this weapon is one called "Torite Baai". In "The Ninja and their secret fighting art", Steven Hayes best describes this technique:
"Hatsumi Sensei held the Kyoketsu Shoge loosely coiled in his left hand. He moved to the corner of the training hall opposite me, leisurely swinging the ringed end of the cord in his right hand. The narrow cord was approximately 12 feet in length, strong and resilient. To one end of the cord was fastened a steel ring, which could be tossed over the ends of roof beams, tree limbs, or suitable hooks to form an anchor for climbing the rope. The other end of the cord was attached to a unique hand held blade. From the wooden handle protruded two-edged spikes of steel, at right angles to each other.
I held a defensive position as Hatsumi Sensei circled me and lectured the class. He twirled the ringed end of the cord in a small loop and explained how the ring could be used to snag the adversary or knock him unconscious. The master jerked the cord and ring back into his grip. He continued his teaching: Let the ring fly as a natural extension of the swing. Do not deliberately throw it.
The ring left his grip once again. The cord went out to the master's right and snaked its way to the left of my head in a broad arc. This time the master did not pull it back. As the ring came within reach, I threw up my left hand and snatched the ring from the air
Upon catching the ring, I felt a rush of excitement and pride. I had foiled the attack of the master of the ninja. As suddenly as the feeling had come, it was replaced by a feeling of regret. I was deeply embarrassed for the master. His weapon had been so easily intercepted by an inexperienced student from America. I wished I had not made the catch, and had not made him look foolish in front of his students. I felt that I should have been more thoughtful, more considerate of his rank and position. This feeling, too, was in turn replaced by another. I was suddenly very disappointed that I had been able to catch the weapon so easily. This man was supposed to be the supreme master of the last ninja school in Japan, and I had outmaneuvered him. If he really was the teacher I had hoped he would be, this couldn't have happened. I felt annoyed and let down.
Hatsumi Sensei held his position for the second or two that it took those thoughts to cross my mind. He was about ten feet away, holding the other end of the cord, looking at me. His expression hadn't changed. He continued to lecture, though I still held the ring firmly. He spoke briefly about "the unexpected." I thought he meant my catching the weapon. He didn't mean that at all.
Hatsumi Sensei snapped his arm up and down briskly, and sent some sort of loop over my clenched fist. He yanked on the cord and I felt a knotted coil dig into my wrist. He had somehow tied up my arm from across the room. Now I was the one facing the unexpected as I flew across the floor, helplessly lassoed . The master made a slashing motion with the blade as I floundered toward him, and commented that the adversary would be easy to finish off in such a situation.
I was stunned; the rest of the class was amused. They shook their heads and laughed out loud. Everybody falls for that set-up, they told me. It's so easy for Hatsumi Sensei and it always works. The master was smiling as if to say, of course it was a trick. You never know what's coming next. That's what makes this Ninjutsu."
Written by Joe Maurantonio.
HISTORY
The kyoketsu shoge was a weapon used almost exclusively by the ninja of the Japanese region called Iga. The weapon was a combination of dagger and hooked blade attached to a length of cord with a four-inch metal ring affixed at the opposite end. The length of cord, in ancient days crafted from women's or horses hair (due to its strength and resilience), was approximately ten to fourteen feet in length and would be used to swing the weighted end about.
Each part of this uncommon weapon had a particular function. For instance, the sharp pointed blade could cut or stab. The hooked blade could slash, puncture, or capture an attacker. The cord could bind or ensnare. Finally, the weighted ring could club or strike the opponent. Of course, the weapon could also be employed for many other uses such as setting traps, lowering, climbing, or tying and dragging loads.
The kyoketsu shoge was primarily a long-range weapon used by the ninja to strike or ensnare his enemy until the distance between them could carefully be traversed and the attacker could be rendered harmless. Though not a simple weapon to master or employ, the many diverse applications, its uniqueness and concealability, made the kyoketsu shoge worth learning to the ninja.
It is believed that the kyoketsu shoge was forerunner to the more well known kusari gama, a chain and sickle weapon used during Japan's Warring States period (1467-1568). The kusari gama was made famous by such legendary sword masters as Shishido Baikin, who defeated over thirty five swordsmen in mortal combat. It is an important historical point to note however, that Miyamoto Musashi defeated Baikin. Musashi was fully aware of the reach and speed of the weapon and the skill of its wielder. Strategically, he employed a shuriken, "trowing blade", to wound his opponent before closing the distance and confronting him with sword. Herein, we are reminded that this weapon, any weapon for that matter, is only an extension of the body and mind employing it.
The kyoketsu shoge, which means "running unhindered through mountains and valleys", is manipulated by the same taijutsu ("body methods") that the practitioners of Togakure ryu ninpo use in their unarmed fighting. It is important to mention that although the same general principles and movements apply, their actual application will vary due to the provisions of this instrument. Distancing, rhythm, dexterity, and strategy will all be exercised in the operation of this versatile weapon.
TRAINING
In the early days of the formation of this weapons use, warriors learned, cultivated, and mastered techniques through the long periods of training and actual combat in war. The lessons and skills they acquired were then passed on to students by means of practice forms called "kata". Those kata were often divided into three stages:
Each variation was designed to instruct the novice in the importance of the kata, its lessons, and to develop dexterity and strategy with the weapon.
In the solitary practice, the beginner learnes to exercise the use of the weapon, trying to get a "feel" for its parts and there employment. Learning how to hold the dagger and hook portion, how to coil the cord, and how to spin the weighted ring. At first, the novice's main concern is not hurting or entangling himself with the weapon. As his skill develops, the student practices unleashing the cord and retrieving the weapon. Eventually, the practitioner incorporates several motions, the swinging of the weight, the releasing of the cord, and the slashing or hooking of the blade, together into one single movement.
In two-man forms the novices learn how to mantain proper distancing and how to act when being pressured by attack. They learn how to strike from a distance while providing themselves with adequate protection. They will eventually train in the cutting, stabbing, and slashing methods that the hooked blade employs. And finally, the practitioners will work on manuvering the weighted end about so as to entangle their opponents.
The multiple attacker subdual begins the course toward mastering the mindset that is necessary to defending against and defending a superior number of adversaries. The training covers coordination between slashing with the blade and striking with the weighted ring. Learning how to use the attackers numbers against themselves, through body positioning and strategic movements.
Each of those kata are pivotal to the others. No one could master the fighting use of the kyoketsu shoge without the necessary training that each of those kata stages would instill in a novice.
DISTANCING
Ma-ai, or "distancing", is very important to the wielder of the kyoketsu shoge. This weapon gives the wielder the ability to keep his adversary at a distance and yet to strike from that very distance while being somewhat safe from harm. Should the opponent be a more skilled close in fighter, the defender can attack from a distance until sufficient damage or opportunity exists to advance and defeat his opponent. Or the opponent can be entangled and incapacitated via the weighted metal ring.
Hatsumi sensei decided that Kyoketsu Shoge would be one of the weapons that Bujinkan community would focus on in 2003 under watchful eye of our Soke and Shihans - in this section of my page I would gather many suggestions of training with that amusing weapon:
First idea came from Mike Pimblett (Shidoshi from Ottawa, CA) / Thank You Mike!
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Last Updated Feb. 4th, 2003 by Remi Pulwer