Mugai Ryu Kenjutsu / Kumitachi

Dueling with the Katana

Partner exercises with a sword are called Kumitachi. Apart from Kata and Tameshigiri, Kumitachi is essential Mugai Ryu training. Employed here is almost solely the Bokuto, a hardwood sword following the shape and look of a katana with which Iaidoka train attack, defense and counter-attack.

Kumitachi not only trains the techniques of attack, defense and counter-attack but also the distance to the opponent and the moment of reaction to an attack as vital elements.

https://youtu.be/XXhbRI0jQWM

Kumitachi uses predetermined movements in which one partner assumes the role of attacker (Uchitachi) and the other one the role of defender (Uketachi). For beginners, every movement begins with a hint on the side of the defender signaling that he is ready and concentrated.

The cuts of the attacker aim at the defender and would hit him if he would not defend himself. Usually the defender gains the upper hand. He finishes the exercise with a cut or thrust to decide the “battle”. However, the partner is not actually hit by this last action. The roles/sides are switched regularly.

Kumitachi requires a high degree of attention and body control as well as absolute trust in the partner and so is usually practised only by Dan-Graduates. The Keizankai Dojo Koeln leads the Iaidoka relatively early but cautiously to a first Kumitachi experience, training only basic exercises.

If trust in the partner or one’s own abilities is missing or if an attack is done hesitantly or half-heartedly, things can get dangerous. So it is at the discretion of the teacher who may do Kumitachi. Here too, experience and safety are gained by training.

Kumitachi is in no way looked at as a fight against each other but as a partner exercise leading to mutual success. It is for this reason that the more experienced Iaidoka assume the role of the attacker (Uchitachi) in order to better control the situation.

Aside from Kata and Tameshigiri, Kumitachi belongs to the essential training of Mugai Ryu. Mugai Ryu contains Iai as well as Kenjutsu/Kumitachi.

You can watch more Kumitachi and Kenjutsu on our YouTube Channel.

Kumitachi

Partner exercises with a sword are called Kumitachi. Apart from Kata and Tameshigiri, Kumitachi is essential Mugai Ryu training. Employed here is almost solely the Bokuto, a hardwood sword following the shape and look of a katana with which Iaidoka train attack, defense and counter-attack.

Kumitachi not only trains the techniques of attack, defense and counter-attack but also the distance to the opponent and the moment of reaction to an attack as vital elements.

Kumitachi uses predetermined movements in which one partner assumes the role of attacker (Uchitachi) and the other one the role of defender (Uketachi). For beginners, every movement begins with a hint on the side of the defender signaling that he is ready and concentrated.

The cuts of the attacker aim at the defender and would hit him if he would not defend himself. Usually the defender gains the upper hand. He finishes the exercise with a cut or thrust to decide the “battle”. However, the partner is not actually hit by this last action. The roles/sides are switched regularly.

Kumitachi requires a high degree of attention and body control as well as absolute trust in the partner and so is usually practised only by Dan-Graduates. The Keizankai Dojo Koeln leads the Iaidoka relatively early but cautiously to a first Kumitachi experience, training only basic exercises.

If trust in the partner or one’s own abilities is missing or if an attack is done hesitantly or half-heartedly, things can get dangerous. So it is at the discretion of the teacher who may do Kumitachi. Here too, experience and safety are gained by training.

Kumitachi is in no way looked at as a fight against each other but as a partner exercise leading to mutual success. It is for this reason that the more experienced Iaidoka assume the role of the attacker (Uchitachi) in order to better control the situation.

Aside from Kata and Tameshigiri, Kumitachi belongs to the essential training of Mugai Ryu. Mugai Ryu contains Iai as well as Kenjutsu/Kumitachi.

You can watch more Kumitachi and Kenjutsu on our YouTube Channel.

Mugai Ryu Iaihyoudo Kumitachi / Kenjutsu

A list of our Kumitachi forms

Iai No Kata 居合の形:

      • Hokuto 北斗
      • Taihaku 太白
      • Inazuma 稲妻
      • Kasumi 霞
      • Ryuusei 流星
      • Kiritome 切留
      • Tsukitome 突留
      • Ukenagashi 受流し
      • Kiriage 切上
      • Kuraizume 位詰

Mugai Ryu Kenjutsu 無外流剣術:

      • Shioken 獅子王剣
      • Hanshato 翻車刀
      • Shinmyouken 神妙剣
      • Suigetsukannou 水月感応
      • Gyokkurenfudan 玉簾不断

Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu Shitsu 四通:

      • Ukenagashi 受流
      • Inchu 咽中
      • Myukedome 三受留
      • Tsukidashi 突出

Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu Hatsu 八通:

      • Aissun 相寸
      • Aissun Gyakku 相寸逆
      • Ju 鷲
      • Sarin 左輪
      • Chibarai 乳拂
      • Ukekaishi 受返
      • Nitoai 二刀合
      • Surikomi 擦込

Mugai Ryu Kenjutsu 無外流剣術:

  • Shioken 獅子王剣
  • Hanshato 翻車刀
  • Shinmyouken 神妙剣
  • Suigetsukannou 水月感応
  • Gyokkurenfudan 玉簾不断

Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu Shitsu 四通:

  • Ukenagashi 受流
  • Inchu 咽中
  • Myukedome 三受留
  • Tsukidashi 突出

Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu Hatsu 八通:

  • Aissun 相寸
  • Aissun Gyakku 相寸逆
  • Ju 鷲
  • Sarin 左輪
  • Chibarai 乳拂
  • Ukekaishi 受返
  • Nitoai 二刀合
  • Surikomi 擦込