Koshiki no kata Tatsuya MATSUMOTO Kodokan 6th Dan Member of Japan Budo Academy About koshiki no kata Koshiki no Kata This Kata is originated from the Kitouryu School. It consists of: • Omote 14 techniques • Ura 7 techniques. For other Jujutsu schools, this kata specifically represents the mindset and the theoretical principles of the Kodokan Judo. The Kodokan Judo kept the name of Koshiki no kata, namely Kata of Ancient Time. Roots and philosophy of Kitouryu School The person as the founder of the Kitouryu School is not historically clear. In the book written by Kano Jigoro, some names appeared such as Fukuno Hichirou Uzaemon Masakatsu, Ibaragi Toshifusa or Terada Mitsuhide (born as Masashige) to be considered as founders of the Kitouryu School. However, Fukuno Masakastu had already begun the Ryoi Shintoryu Yawara School on Genwa 7 (1621). Terada Mitsuhide had already stated his name as the originator in the scroll of Jikishinryu School in 1674 at Isumo. Finally Ibaragi Toshinobu published the scroll of Kitouryu Ran Kokoroe no Mokuroku in Kanei 16 (1639). Consequently it seems reasonable to assume that Ibaragi Toshinobu is the founder of the Kitouryu School. Ibaragi Toshinobu‘s Go (popular first name) is Matazaemon Sensei. He had relations with Yagyu Munekane on early time. They studied Ryoishintoryu Yawara school with Fukuno Masakatsu from Genwanenkan (1615~1624) until the beginning of Kanei (1641~). Later, Takuan Soho Zen Priest moved to Edo in 1636. Ibaragi and Munekane got trained on the Zen Philosophy at the Tokai temple. Takuan taught Fudochi, Munekane and Ibaragi. The later disciple found that the martial art is the most important method to build the right psychology for the fighting skill development. Consequently, he established the Kitouryu school based on a specific philosophy. Ibaraki Toshinobu wrote the scroll under the name [ Hontai][ Seikyo no Maki] Kitouryu Ran Tokushin no Mokuroku] [Kitouryu Ran Jyugyo Mokuroku]. Later his high pupil claimed that Yoshimura Sukenaga wrote the Kitouryu scroll under the name [Ten no maki][Chi no maki][ Hito no maki] [Hontai]. Hontai Hontai has a significant meaning: “Hontai” is the main body. As a whole, it comes from the shape of the body (Katachi) and its use from the nature energy (Ki). If you follow the right philosophy or principles, the correct shape of body (Katachi) moves in silence (Sei).Therefore, you can understand the enemy’s strength and weakness in silence and win against the enemy. In turn, you serve your body and the way to use it correctly is called “Hontai” and it included in every strategy and every technique described in the scroll. This scroll of Hontai was delivered to the students of Kitouryu School at first. The purpose of Kitouryu training is the following: you must go back to an attitude where your heart is the mirror of the main body that a person has by nature. Therefore you keep the body right and you keep your heart right aside from selfishness. This is a short historical genealogy of the Kitouryu School diffusion: Ibaragi Toshinobu-> Yoshimiura Sukenaga-> Hotta Yoritsune-> Takino Yuken-> Takenaka-Tetsunosuke Kazukiyo->Iikubo Shukichi Kounen->Kano Jigoro Kano Shihan has been studying Kitouryu from Iikubo Kounen Kano Shihan has been studying Kitouryu from Iikubo Kounen Kano Shihan studied with the Takenaka group of Kitouryu School led by Iikubo Kounen from Meiji 14 (1881). Iikubo Kounen was born in Edo. He studied Kitouryu School from Takenaka Tetsunosuke since his young age. Then, he served as a teacher of Military Arts of the Shogunate. He was called an expert of the Kitouryu School. He developed a style inspired from the ancient warrior style when he was 47. Also, he built superior expertise in the throwing techniques; especially his Haraigoshi and his Yokosutemiwaza were quite unique and very efficient. He taught not only Kata but Randori to Jigoro Kano Shihan. Kano Shihan experienced the principle of Kuzushi Kano Shihan introduced with a Kodokan Magazine issue [Sakko] at June Showa 2 (June 1927) the principle of “Kuzushi”. Iikubo Sensei was a great teacher for Kano Jigoro and he always taught Kano shihan until Meiji18-19 (1885,1886) after Kano Jigoro became a teacher. At this time, he was 50 and Kano Jigoro could not succeed in winning by Randori against him until this time. Around Meiji 18 (1885), Kano Jigoro specially experienced the Kuzushi principle on this day dedicated to Randori. Kano Jigoro tried Kuzushi at first and then he used Waza (techniques). Ikubo Sensei was Kitouryu Nagewaza specialist. But strangely he could not to throw Kano Jigoro by Nagewaza. At this time Kano Jigoro deeply understood the principle of Kuzushi. After this experience, Kano Jigoro taught Roppou no Kuzushi (6 ways Kuzushi) or Happou no Kuzushi (8 ways Kuzushi) at the Kodokan. Then, Kano Jigoro reported this research result to Iikubo Sensei. He replied that Kano Jigoro was right. Consequently he advised Kano Jigoro to practice randori with young opponents and he stopped practicing randori with Kano. Finally Iikudo provided Kano with a diploma of the Kitouryu School and as well as many scrolls. Kano Shihan studied Kitouryu School and Tenjinshinyoryu school. He found many superior points from these schools of Kata and Nagewaza (throwing techniques) compared to others. Therefore, “the principle of Kuzushi” became the educational base of the Kodokan Judo. Kano Shihan gave a lecture about Judo and educational value. Kano Shihan gave a lecture at Dai Nippon Kyoikukai (the Place is Hitotsubashi Kanda) on 11 May Meiji 22 (1889). The Minister of Education Mr. Enomoto Buyou, numerous ambassadors of foreign countries, 200 personalities and 20 best disciples of Kodokan attended this lecture. The Kodokan Judo magazine published this lecture on April Showa 50 (1975). This lecture did include a summary, some purpose for the practice of Judo and a required set of practical skills. Kano Shihan did express the real intention regarding the creation of Judo, while explaining the reason for changing the name from Jujutsu to Judo. Kano Shihan did focus on the fundamental meaning of Judo, including educational values in the Kodokan Judo, and he introduced the term “Kuzushi” in this lecture. He reported that he experienced Kuzsuhi from the Kitouryu school, considering that the Kitouryu kata was more difficult from a theoretical standpoint than Tenjinshinyoryu’s kata. For example, I am in a standing position and a partner comes to throw me. Then the partner pulls me to the front or pushes me backwards; finally the opponent tries to throw me away by Nagewaza. However, if I stand in a straight position and do not lose my balance, I keep following the partner’s motion with the same posture when the opponent is pulling or pushing me. Finally the opponent is not able to throw me away. When the partner tries to throw a person away, this person tends to be scared and to lose his standing position; finally he loses his balance. During the practice of Kitouryu’s kata, you learn how to keep this standing position. It is called Hontai (the main body or Shizen Hontai). Lets put up other examples. Human beings always stand on their two legs. It can support the weight of the entire body with both legs. A method to throw a person more easily is to be able to put the weight of the person on one leg where the motion area is the narrowest. This is the principle of Kuzushi. Kano Shihan said that when an amateur looked at this demonstration of Kitouryu no kata, probably he would not understand what it was. Actually, Kano Shihan thought that Kitouryu school‘s predecessor created this Kata through a lot of hardships and intensive trainings. Especially, this Kata seems to represent the noblest with regards to other Jujutsu schools. From” Kitouryu no Kata” to “Koshiki no Kata” Kano shihan thought that the philosophy and the technique of Kitouryu School were very important in the education process at the Kodokan Judo. Then, he named it Koshiki no kata and he kept it within the Kata curriculum of Kodokan Judo. We can estimate at what time it was named Kosahiki no Kata. A. From the book of Keio Gijuku Judobushi (History of Keio School Judo Club) 1) By the record of Kata performance at Meiji 31(1898)’s Competition Kitouryu Omote no kata: Tori Yamashita Yoshitsugu, Uke Koshiba Saburou 2) By the record of Kata performance at Meiji 33(1900)’s Competition Kitouryu Omote Ura no kata: Tori Yamashita Yoshitsugu, Uke Koshiba Saburou 3) By the record of kata performance at 2 June Meiji 34(1901)’s Competition. Koshiki no kata: Tori Yamashita Yoshitsugu, Uke Tomita Tsunejirou First appearance of the term. B. From Kodokan Magazine “Kokushi” 1) By record of kata performance at 3rd Kyoto Kodokan Judo Competition on January Meiji 32( 1899) Kitouryu no kata: Tori Isogai Hajime, Uke Hirooka Yuji 2) By record of kata performance at Kodokan Kagamibirakishiki on 13 January Meiji 34 (1901) Kodokan Koshiki no kata (kitouryu): Tori Kano Shihan, Uke Yamashita Yoshitsugu (6Dan). As a conclusion, Meiji 34 (1901) was the date when Koshiki no kata was officially named. Kano Shihan incorporated this Kata in Kodokan Judo as a corrected version of Koryu (Old Jujutsu) and wanted to save the great achievement of predecessors’ knowledge through this codified form The system of Waza (techniques) Koryu (Old Jujutsu) classified techniques using a kind of systematization describing different scenario in the struggle for life for a samurai. It was also organized as a Kata according to a teaching mode. This includes Idori (sitting form), Tachiai (standing form) and Ikiai (cross walking form). It has several similarities with the Kime no kata. In addition, there are additional techniques such an arrest method, a rest method after injury, and a method to provide medicine. Each Jujutsu school did establish its own characteristics of content and technique style. Kitouryu‘s kata is quite different from other schools. In general, samurai did wear armor and two sets of techniques were taught: the throwing technique using Shizen Hontai (the natural posture) and the throwing technique from the other school focusing on Jigotai (self-defense technique or defensive posture). As for this combined form of Shizenhontai and Jigotai, no name did exist in Koryu (Old Jujutsu). Kodokan Judo did name it for the first time. The original Ibaragi Yoshinobu’s techniques include 15 techniques with name attached to each of them but techniques were not clearly defined. Hito no kan（Human of scroll）in Kitouryu written by Yoshimura Sukenaga includes Omote 14 techniques, Ura 7 techniques and 10 other kinds of applied technique (not clearly defined). Kano Shian did preserve this Kata by keeping these forms within the Koshiki no kata at the Kodokan Judo. Daigo-sensei Own Experience of Koshiki no Kata Learning from Nagaoka Hideichi Sensei I graduated from the School of Tokyo Kouto Shihan School in Showa 22 (1947). After my graduation, I became a teacher of the physical education at the Udayama senior high school of Mie prefecture. At that time, learning Judo was prohibited in Senior High Schools. So, I went to Judo practice at Kyoto Butokuden or New Japan Dojo in Osaka. There was the competition facing Kyushu prefecture and Kansai prefecture. It is called a Shinsei Judo Competition. I still have in my mind the vivid memory of the fight with Kimura Masahiko at this competition. It became obvious for me to match his level of experience. Right after, I started devoting myself to Judo. Then, I worked as a research assistant at the Kodokan in Show 23 (1948). At that time, I met Nagaoka Hideichi Sensei and I started learning Koshiki no kata. Nakaoka Sensei was an expert of Yokosutemi waza (Ukiwaza) and Koshiki no kata. In Koshiki no kata, just after the salutation (Rei), Tori moves one step forward and takes Shizenhontai. This movement looks like a simple movement. But, I understood that it was a very difficult step. Nagaoka Sensei said that this step does not use only legs; this step must use the main body with Ki power. Until now, I can evaluate the level of Kata performed by a student by just looking at this one step. Nakaoka sensei taught very deep and insightful instructions. He got a small body. However, his one step was like a mountain seemingly moving. I remember that he did magnify the Koshiki no kata with his high level of dignity. He died 77 on 22 November Showa27 (1952) just one day before the celebration of Kodokan 70th year of foundation. I studied Koshiki no kata from him during 4 years and half. At that time I was missing a lot of skills and I was only able to understand the form of Koshiki no kata, not the meaning. I was his last student. Research on Koshiki no kata as a Research Student I did research during the class of Koshiki no Kata in Kodokan Dai Dojo twice a week. Unfortunately I was not totally interested in Kata when Nagaoka Sensei taught koshiki no kata because I was preparing myself for the All Japan Judo Championship. Now, I understand the depth and the difficulty of learning Kata. In addition, I found many answers of “Why” in the theory of the offense and defense looking at the Kata. For instance, about Yudachian and Takiotoshi, why does Tori put a forefinger when taking both collars of Uke’s Jacket? There is no meaning to attack Uke with a forefinger and then to use Waza to throw him away. The true meaning is to attack Uke by pressuring his throat using Tori‘s forefinger. There are many books on Koshiki no kata, but they only describe only forms and Nagare (movement). The portion on why is not written. Recently, I was able to get a better understanding on the ” Why ”. When I was young, I should have learned it from Nagaoka Sensei more seriously. I sincerely regret it. Kano Shihan and Katsu Awa no kami (Kaishu) Here are some historical dates of the evolution of Kodokan Dojo Meiji 15 (1882) : Eishouji Temple (only 12 Tatami) Meiji 16 (1883) : Minami Jinboucho Koubunkan(10 tatami) Meiji 17 (1884) : At the time of Kmi Nibancho (20 Tatami) Meiji 19 (1885) : At the time of Fujimicho (40 tatami) Meiji 22 (1989) : At the time of Hongo Masagocho (70 Tatami) Meiji 26 (1893) : Koishikawa Shita Tomisakacho (170 Tatami) May Meiji 27(1894) : New Construction of Completion Ceremony was held At the time, Kano Shihan was 35 year-old (the principal of Tokyo Kotou Shihan Gakko & the Councilor for the Ministry of Education). This ceremony did see a lot of personalities, Katsu Kaishu and Kano family. Some famous guests at this time attended: Katsu Awa no kami, Shinagwa Yajiro, Tanaka Mitsuaki, Takasaki Seifu, Itami Shigemasa, Miyoshi Taizo, Watanabe Noboru… The Ceremony did content: Opening 1) Greetings from Kano Shihan about history of kodokan and his vision. 2) Greetings from Yamashita Yoshitsugu (young man judoka representative of Kodokan). 3)The greeting of Tokudaiji Akimaro (child judoka representative of Kodokan), 4) Randori by Mudansha (beginner) 5) Randori by schools students. 6) Kata by several schools. 7) The promotion of dan to Yudannsha ( Ranked Judoka) 8) Kodokan Kata by Kano Shihan ,Yamanshita Yoshitsuku and Oda Katsutaro 9) Kodokan Nage no Kata by Yamanshita Yoshitsuku and Iwasaki Norimasa 10) Kodokan Itsutsu no Kata by Toyota Tsunejiro and Oda Katsutaro Closing ceremony (Source: document distributed by Kano Jigoro and published in 1969 by Kodokan ) The Kodokan Kata performed by Kano Shihan, Yamanshita Yoshitsuku and Oda Katsutaro did attract a lot of attention. The first kata (Kano Shihan with Yamashita Yoshitsugu) was very similar to Kitoury’s Kata. The second kata (Kano Shihan with Oda Katsutaro) did start in a low motion and gradually gained in speed with Uchikomi, Yokouchi and Keage. All movements made a deep impression within the audience. In particular, Earl of Katsu was deeply impressed by Kano Shihan ‘s detached mindset and his non-artificial technique mastery, Consequently, he sent this poem the following day: [Mushin ni shite Shizen no Myo ni hairi Mui ni shite Henka no Kami wo Kiwamu] (With no disturbance in mind, feel the wonder of nature and without intentional action, pursue the essence of changes) This poem was set up in the front of Kodokan Dai Dojo when located in Suidobashi for a long time. As a side note other school’s Kata were: 1) Kitouryu no Kata by Kano Shihan and Yamashita Yoshitsugu 2) Tkenouchi Santouryu 3) Ryoishintouryu 4) Shibukawaryu 5) Tenjinshinyouryu 6) Takenouchiryu 7) Jikishinryu Earl of Katsu evaluated Kodokan Kata in the first part of the sentence but many books claimed that he evaluated Kitouryu no Kata as well. I suppose that Earl of Katsu evaluated both Katas (Kodokan Kata and Kitouryu nokata). Kano Shihan ‘s Koshiki no Kata Kano Shihan ‘s Koshiki no Kata The Emperor Showa was acceding to the throne in Showa 3(1928). Next year Showa 4 (1929) Showa Tenran Shiai (The Emperor Showa Exhibit Competition) was opened. Kano Shihan performed Koshiki no kata with Yamashita Yoshitsugu at this time. Later, Koshiki no kata was recorded as a move film in Showa5(1930) when Kano Shihan was 71. For this event, Koshiki no kata did include Omote without Ura techniques. In the book of “Kano Sensei Den”, Yokoyama Kendo wrote about Kano Shihan ‘s kata: Koshiki no kata did exhibit the figure of the expert. Kano Shihan wore a Montsuki and Hakama (The kimono with the full dress) and performed Tori while his disciple wore Judogi. Kano Shihan got a splendid strong expression, with wonderful force mastery and calm manners inside the Dai Dojo of 500 Tatami.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 06:31:43 +0000