Hōki-ryū
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Hōki-ryū (片山伯耆流?) is a Japanese koryu sword-fighting martial art founded in the late Muromachi period by Katayama Hōki-no-kami Fujiwara Hisayasu (1575-1650). In 1610 he was called to the Royal Palace to show Iso-no-nami, the secret of fencing, in front of the Emperor Go-Yozei. For this distinguished services he was given Jyu-Goi-Ge (the conferment of a court rank). In 1650, at the age of 76, Hisayasu died in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The original name for Hisayasu's tradition was Ikkan-ryū, later changing to Katayama Hōki-ryū (片山伯耆流). The present day the tradition is generally referred to as just Hōki-ryū.
According to Iso-no-nami, the secret in Hōki-ryū, Hisayasu and his disciples developed and established over one hundred forms. Presently, the fifteen basic forms are studied. These fifteen forms are divided to two sections; six forms in Omote and nine forms in Chu-dan. Most forms are started from the seiza posture.
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[edit] History
Since it was founded, Hōki-ryū has been handed down by the Katayama family and the Hoshino family. The tradition is today in its 12th or 13th generation.
[edit] Branches
Hōki-ryū has through history branched off and spawned derivatives. Some of these are Ono-ha Hōki-ryū and Kumadani-ha Hōki-ryū. Ono-ha Hōki-ryū was founded by Ono Kumao and is today primarily practiced under the auspices of the All Japan Iaido Federation. Kumadani-ha Hōki-ryū is today only practiced in one dojo in northern Kumamoto Prefecture.
[edit] Iai forms
[edit] Omote (initial set)
- Osae nuki. Thrust to an opponent to the left, with hand alongside the blade, in seiza posture.
- Kote giri. Thrust to an opponent to the left, with hand alongside the blade, in seiza posture.
- Kiri tsuke. Thrust to an opponent to the right, with hand alongside the blade, in seiza posture.
- Nuki dome. Block an attack from right, and cut an opponent.
- Tsuki dome. Deflect tsukidome, an attack from front, and cut an opponent.
- Shiho kanakiri. Cut three opponents, in seiza posture.
[edit] Chu-dan (middle level)
- Hiza zume. Nukitsuke to kesa and cut an opponent from front, in seiza posture.
- Mune no katana. Strike aside the attack of an enemy, and cut, in seiza posture.
- Okkake nuki. Nukitsuke to kesa and cut an opponent from front, in standing posture.
- Kaeri nuki. Nukitsuke to kesa and cut an opponent from rear, in standing posture.
- Issa soku. Jump-up and block ukenagashi from tate-hiza posture, and cut an opponent in the front standing and approaching.
- Mukou zume. Block ukenagashi from standing posture, and cut an opponent in the front.
- Naga rouka. Strike aside the attack of an enemy, and cut, from tate-hiza posture.
- Kissaki gaeshi. Block ukenagashi, strike a face of an opponent in the front and thrust.
- Shiho zume. Cut three opponents, in standing posture.
[edit] Suggested reading
- "Budo Mind and Body : Training Secrets of the Japanese Martial Arts" by Nicklaus Suino. ISBN 0-8348-0568-5
