Читать книгу Looking at a Far Mountain. A Study of Kendo Kata онлайн

9 страница из 19

Picture taken in front of the grave of Ono Tadaaki, founder of the OnoHa Itto Ryu, successor to Ito Ittosai. Junzo Sasamori - right; Naritomo Tsurumi on the left. They are performing Ono Ha Itto Ryu kata.

CHAPTER ONE

THE KATA TRADITION

In the pre Tokuga era, Kata were referred to as kumitachi and seiho and were the result of the training methods of the classical schools of kenjutsu. However, these methods did not actually become laid down and recorded officially until the period 1560-1572. They were developed from actual fighting techniques as taught by military teachers skilled in their art, and former techniques of classical swordsmanship contain the theory and practical applications necessary to retain the essence of their conception, and are thus vital for further development in all kendoka. In 1886 Meiji (19) the Japanese Police were the first, other than the existing classical schools, to refer to these old forms in order to create a standard kendo kata. In the same year the keishichoryu kata became the standard kata for police use, formed from the schools of Jikishinkage, Kurama, Tsutsumi, Hozan, Risshin, Hokushin Itto, Asayama Ichiden, Jigen, Shinto Munen, Yagyu and Kyoshin Meichi Ryus. It is interesting that the Japanese Police still use the kata system today as a highly beneficial training method, so maintaining the direct link to the origins of classical swordsmanship.