Koto Ryu (Tiger knocking down School)
"to knock the Tiger down with the tips of the fingers"
KO - Tiger
TO - Sword
Tiger Sword School
Koppo Jutsu
Very much like kyukushin karate this method involves linear strikes to break bones - aggressive, linear attacks using the larger bones to strike the weaker ones of your opponent
First Rule - hit fucking hard
This ryu adopts training methods seen in Okinawa and later in Japan in kyukushin - wood breaking to perfect the bone breaking methods - striking sand and gravel, then later stone to condition the hands and other striking tools
The 10th Soke of Gyokko Ryu founded the Koto Ryu
This ryu also teaches sword, and uses the four point shaken shuriken
A school of koppojutsu, (骨法術) , shurikenjutsu, and kenjutsu
Koto Ryu koppojutsu began with Toda Sakyo Isshinsai during the Tenmon Era (1532 - 1550) after learning Gyokko Ryu shitojutsu. It is a sister art of "Gyokko Ryu" kosshijutsu (玉虎流骨指術). Toda taught both of these arts and they were handed down within Iga Ryu until reaching Soke Toda Tokugawa period.
The foundation of "Togakure Ryu" ninpo comes from the unarmed combative movements of Koto Ryu and Gyokko Ryu.
It can be translated as "Knocking down the Tiger" School, which is an image shared with its sister school, Gyokko Ryu, the "Jeweled Tiger School".
In addition Koto Ryu includes a 4 pointed "Hira Shuriken" or "Shaken" along with blade fighting.
In Koto ryu there are about 50 katas divided into four levels: Shoden, Chuden, Okuden and Hekito levels.
The first and most basic level is Shoden, which includes 18 Katas.
The second level is Chuden, and includes 12 katas.
Third level is the Okuden and it has 12 katas
Fourth and last level is Hekito and it includes 8 Muto dori katas of empty hands versus a sword.
The main characteristic in this koryu is breaking the opponent's movement and posture. This strategy stems from being a Koppo jutsu system. Two advantages are gained by Tori – the first, disabling the opponent's attacking abilities and the second is the creation of an entrance into the opponent's weak points and posture.
Koto ryu katas are short; they do not include many movements. The source of the Koto ryu Kata is real combat situation and the solution to the problems in it. Because of this, the katas are very focused and revolve around specific techniques that relay a specific and short tactic. The use gravitates toward very simple punches, basic locks and no complicated transitions between throws and locks.
Kata in Koto Ryu look at situations that have maintained their relevance till this day. Most of them are 'street situations' and the scenarios are familiar:
1.Opponent grabbing with one hand
2.Opponent grabs the lapel with one hand and attacks with the other hand: Shato, Hoteki and Shito.
3.Opponent grabs or tries to grab with both hands: Saku geki, Keto, Oh gyaku, Yokuto, Ran Setsu, Kimon, Soto, Shisen and Santo.
4.Opponent attacks with one punch: Kompi, Hida and Koyoku.
5.Opponent attacks with two successive punches: Kata maki, Ura nami, Kyogi, Kako, Shihaku, Tan geki, Hosoku, Suito.
Some of the Kata are very aggressive; Tori initiates the attack in these Kata during or after walking toward the opponent
Shoden level
In this level the katas deal with simple situations by various solutions and tactics. The main theme is Koto ryu's core; breaking the opponent's balance, posture and movement. To apply this theme the Shoden level Kata uses Tai Sabaki, Kyushu (Attacking vulnerable points), attack to different heights, unexpected punches and deception. These components happen in reply to different situations.
Batsugi kata - Removal technique
Hoteki kata
Hosoku kata - Capture approach
Kako kata - Bind and beat
Keto kata
Kata maki kata
Kouyoku kata
Kyogi kata - Rejected Technique
Oh gyaku kata, Koto ryu
Saku geki kata - Wrenching Attack
Shato kata - Diagonal Topple
Setto kata - Break and Knock down
Shihaku kata - Finger Clap
Shito kata,
Tan geki kata - Bearing Intensity
Ten chi kata,
Ura nami kata
Yokuto kata - Scooping and Throwing
Chuden gata level of Koto ryu
Hida - jumping strike
Hisaku - jumping squeeze
Hicho - flying bird
Hito - jumping knock down
Kappi - arresting jump
Monpi - stroking jump
Suito - winter knock down
Gohi - rat jump
Hehi - ruinous jump
Teki gaeshi - hitting return
Koto - throat knock down
Kakuhi - abducting jump
Okuden Gata level of Koto ryu
Konpi - Tying Up Jump
Josetsu - Catch and Fold
Koto - Tiger Throw - the core technique of the Scroll, works as a Tanto Dori
Kouki - Koki - Konoki - Punching Demons
Shinsen - Spirit Snip
Ran Setsu - Chaos Snow
Sosetsu - Hold Fold
Soto - Grasp Fall
Kimon, Okuden gata level - Koto ryu
Ura Kimon, Okuden gata level - Koto ryu
Santo, (taijutsu) - Meet and Throw - a defence against a throw
Santo, (muto dori) - 5
the Santo MUTODORI are actually Tanto Dori, a series of five knife defences
Hekito Gata level of Koto ryu
Batsu yo, Hekito gata level - Koto ryu
Boku hen, Hekito gata level - Koto ryu
Damara, Hekito gata level - Koto ryu
Kibo, Hekito gata level - Koto ryu
Kuahi, Hekito gata level - Koto ryu
Saki ryoku, Hekito gata level - Koto ryu
Shuriki, Hekito gata level - Koto ryu
Soku boku, Hekito gata level - Koto ryu
The Koto Ryu is based on koppojutsu (bone attacking blocks) techniques, where Gyokko Ryu is based on koshijutsu (muscle/organ attacks).
Koto Ryu is straighter in directional movement, and the Gyokko Ryu revolves more on a circular basis
(either in yourself or in your opponent when taking their balance).
Koto Ryu techniques use short distancing between the two opponents, the Gyokko Ryu uses greater distance.
(Largo and Medio)
Koto Ryu techniques are shorter, quick, and straight to the point, Gyokko Ryu has longer more complicated techniques, and the techniques have more movement.
Koto Ryu concentrates more on striking, and the Gyokko Ryu more on locks and throws.
If both schools are studied completely, the student will know all forms of fighting, including distance, striking, throws, and locks. Both schools compliment each other and to study only one is to know only half of one of the two schools.
The name of the school, ‘Tiger Knocking Down’, refers to knocking down the tiger with the tips of the fingers - the Chuden Kata techniques sometimes start this way.
Attacks to the face, in addition to metsubushi, are common in the techniques of the school.
FOOTWORK:
Yoko Aruki (cross stepping), and Toki (stamping).
KENJUTSU:
Koto Ryu sword uses the same principles as the Unarmed Combat.
Where Gyokko Ryu has the sanshin and kihon happo based around the stances and applications, Koto Ryu has the KURAI DORI
Kurai Dori means "taking position" - the five combat stances or "attitudes"
Hidari Seigan
Migi Seigan
Hoko
Hira
Bobi
