EDITORS NOTE: This is the last in a series of three that translates a Kendo Kyohan published in 1909. Please see the first installment for more information.
Please note that the image in the title is from a different Kendo Kyohan version (one published in 1934).
Jyōbaguntōjutsu(55)
(this is an appendix to the main book which was published in the prior two installments)
Rules
First Part
The purpose of jyōbaguntōjutsu is to attack your opponent from horseback with cuts and thrusts. The rules for its practice are outlined below.
Second Part
Jyōbaguntōjutsu is learned first while either moving at a walking speed or at rest, and later while moving quickly or moving slowly.
Third Part
Jyōbaguntōjutsu is learned first with the saber. Later, it is possible to study it with the bayonet.
Fourth Part
When there are more than two riders simultaneously stopped and performing a drill(56) for horseback combat, there should be 3 meters distance between the riders as they line up horizontally.
However, when performing in motion inside a paddock, establish the position 2 meters closer than usual.
Fifth Part
After the soldier has learned how to strike and stab, line up representations of riders, foot soldiers, and prostrate soldiers on the ground and practice striking/stabbing these targets. First perform this exercise in a straight line moving forward, and then later include curved paths.
Sixth Part
It is important to practice the exercises of jyōbaguntōjutsu while on foot and remaining relaxed.(57)
However, in this case the stance is different from that of standard guntōjutsu. Take a standard stance, and at the same time hook your sheath to your belt, and move your feet so that your right foot is one step to the right of your left foot. At the same time, grip the sheath in your left hand.
BASIC MOVEMENTS
Seventh Part
Always aim for the head or chest with thrusts and cuts.
Eighth Part
Always aim your cuts and thrusts in the direction of the enemy’s movement, taking care to lead slightly. However, remember that you are seated and move your hands and body so as to avoid losing your balance.
Ninth Part
When practicing cuts and thrusts with an opponent who is on the ground and you are mounted, do not begin before hearing the appropriate command of, “tohosha ni muke.”(58)
Tenth Part
When thrusting for an opponent who is prone on the ground, rely on thrusts and at the same time keep the reigns and your scabbard together in your left hand while keeping the opponent on your right side.
Eleventh Part
Unsheathing your sword
Command: kamae-tō
Take the hilt of the sword in your right hand and keep it slightly above your left fist, pointed forward, with your fingers pointing left and your elbow resting against your body. The tip of the sword should be in front and at the same height as your left shoulder, with the blade facing down and to the right.
Twelfth Part
Sheathing your sword
Command: katae-tō
Perform the reverse of the movements in Part 11 in order to sheath your sword.
STRIKING AND STABBING TO THE FORWARD-RIGHT
Thirteenth Part
When in stance, use the command: migi-mae wo utte
Paying attention to the landmarks you have set to judge spacing, move your right fist slightly further to the right, turn the tip of your sword forward and thrust once. Next, bring your right fist far above your head, turn the blade up, and point the tip to the left and rear, and perform a cut forward and to the right. Draw a circle with your arm, bring it around for another thrust to the forward-right, and return to your original stance.
STRIKING TO THE FORWARD LEFT
Fourteenth Part
When in stance, use the command: hidari-mae wo utte
Paying attention to the landmarks you have set to judge spacing, bring your right fist close to your body, turn the point of your toward to the forward and left and perform a stabbing attack. Next, stretch your arm out, and bring your right fist above your right shoulder, turn the point of your sword to the rear-right, and cut once to the forward-left. Draw a circle with your arm and once more point the tip of your sword to the forward left and perform a thrust, and then return to your original stance.
CUTTING AND THRUSTING TO THE FORWARD-LEFT AND –RIGHT (OR FORWARD-RIGHT AND –LEFT)
Fifteenth Part
When in stance, use the command: migi-mae hidari-mae (or hidari-mae migi-mae) wo utte
Cut or thrust to the left or right, and then return to stance. Continue performing this exercise by thrusting or cutting to the left or right.
VOLUNTARY CUTTING AND STRIKING(59)
Sixteenth Part
When in stance, use the command: Zui-i ni utte. When the drill is complete: yame.
Using the outlines for various strikes recorded above, freely attack with a mixture of the various techniques you have learned.
When the command “yame” is given, return to your starting stance.
MAIN POINTS OF HORSEBACK COMBAT
Seventeenth Part
Since during horseback combat the one who gets the drop on his opponent will win, as a general rule aggressively attack your opponent.
Eighteenth Part
If it is not possible to attack the top half of the enemy’s body, then instead strike the horse’s harness60, the left fist61 or the horse’s neck.(62)
Ninteenth Part
During horseback combat the rear-left is always a weak point, and therefore it is always an advantage to pursue the rear left of your opponent.
Twentieth Part
When fighting your opponent or attempting to put pressure on to him, it is advantageous to turn right.(63) However, when attempting to retreat from your opponent, the way to best avoid danger is to turn to the left.
Twenty-first Part
When fighting from horseback take care to avoid damage to your horse or to your equipment.
Notes
55. Horseback combat.
56. Saber combat while on horseback, unlike lance-based combat, does not rely on charges. Instead, the two duelists fight at close to a full stop, since the relatively short reach of a saber would make a lance-style charge ineffective.
57. Most likely because a nervous rider would cause a horse to start very easily, resulting in near certain defeat in a match and possibly in serious injury.
58. Approximately rendered in English as “Turn towards the one who is walking.”
59. This seems to refer to a type of sparring practice whereby partners take turns attacking each other freely. This type of practice is also used in modern kendō, where it is referred to as kakari-geiko.
60. The kanji used here has long since fallen out of favor and is no longer in common use. As a result, this reading is an educated guess based on readings of kanji with similar radicals.
61. Since saber combat uses one hand (usually the right) the left fist likely holds the reigns.
62. Both of these techniques seem designed to cause the rider to lose control of the horse, thus disrupting their attack and defense.
63. In order to force him to retreat or to maneuver behind him.
Sources
近代デジダルライブラリー
Please note that the original Japanese text and pictures are in the public domain.