Jigen Ryu Heiho Kenjutsu - 32nd Nippon Kobudo Enbu

[jwgoon]

The most striking thing about this koryu style is that just before the kata starts, both the junior and senior do not ever perform any bow to each other...This is very astounding as 9 out of 10 sword styles has a basic etiquette performed between the junior and senior but Jigen Ryu has none. This really indicates their mindset: To the person facing them, there is no etiquette. Just an enemy to be destroyed. Really shows what the Jigen Ryu swordsman's attitude towards combat was like...Merciless

[tastykimchiOFDOOM]

Wow, this is like seeing the live version of a manuscript.

[apocaRUFF]

I have no idea what's going on.

[kazemizu]

Each strike shaved the target. That was amazing

[FatherLucho]

@kazemizu I hadn't noticed how much bark was stripped on each cut. That sort of power and ability to control their cutting-angle is really impressive and vaguely terrifying.

[basilolo]

Maybe it's strange to say that, but what amazes me the most is that the spectators don't actually laugh. It shows, how much respect they give to the practicioners (I believe that not only people involved in Budo ar watching). From what I know the people in Japan are quite the same as others and what makes Europeans or Americans laugh also makes them laugh. However here, I'm not sure if I could not laugh, even though I also did Budo and have really lot of respect for traidition.

[HomunculusProject]

@basilolo I think it's simply, because they are used to it. Japanese tend to be (in our standards) small and built rather feminine.

Watching Kendo, there are allot of high pitched voices, but I would be god damn petrified to receive their Men.

[Dojocho]

At times you can see smoke coming from the striked wood.

[davidthrashdat]

thats one hell of a battle cry

[boelarsen]

Isn't it just great seeing people beeing very passionate about something that you don't understand. I respect it, but I have no idea about the significance of what they are doing.

[FatherLucho]

What I love about Koryu Budo is psychology - There is a massive difference between this, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, Shinto Muso Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu, etc...but to the average person, they don't fully see the commitment, training, and spirit of what is going on. As an effective novice in Shinto Muso Ryu, I can say that this and the other Koryu styles are unique and beautiful. Can't get enough of this stuff!

[MDIS]

In the Bakumatsu era and pre-Meiji era , Jigen Ryu was seen as one of the most powerful sword form of combat ( deaths were common ) but yet again this kendo school have its own limits. In Jigen Ryu , its attacks are limited by the amount and sheer strength required to execute the techniques as compared to others. Furthermore its mostly focuses on one single very powerful slash or hit to kill the enemy. Just my 2 cents worth on koryu budo history and its usages.

[N2tao]

This is straight bonkers! I love it! This gentlemen clearly understand the value of infusing one's spirit into the training.

[Defsolid]

I don't know if it's because of the use of kakegoe (is it the same word used for "screaming" in Jigen ryu Heiho?), or the fact that this ryu's kata demonstration (for my kendoka eyes( is so different from other koryu i've see so far, but i just find this ryu's demonstrations awesome to watch. A shout out to Alex who shared the first video of Jigen ryu i've seen on the Kendo World forum, and thanks for sharing this one Kobudoenbu

[itsumonihon]

for anyone who thinks these guys look or sound ridiculous, keep in mind the "sticks" they are wielding weigh a ton, they are pretty heavy and they are striking with them very very quickly. these guys are incredibly strong and a single blow would probably knock most people down or out. and real swords would probably cut through bone.

[MDIS]

@itsumonihon

It is true that these sticks are really heavy and that these men are really strong ; but historically in the Bakumatsu and pre-Meiji era , Jigen Ryu practitioners were known to cut down any man with a single stroke. But yet again ; its techniques are quite limited in combat and the strength required would defeat the purpose of combat with most other traditional kenjutsu forms. This is because Jigen Ryu ideals would be a single powerful stroke to cut through any thing in its path.

[assholedonuts2003]

wow! amazingly fast!!!

[dipchips]

Beautiful and superb if you understand their philosophy. 5*

[sobujutsu]

Beautiful

Thanks for posting!

[nelsazo]

Great!!, that's real kenjutsu!

[jackchn]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this!