Mutodori is the skill of evading an opponent with a katana sword while unarmed.
It involves not being there when the strike arrives
it involves movement in one of the 8 directions to evade
it involves closing the gap to counter
Though we are unlikely to encounter a samurai weilding a sword these days, it is the principles of this training we are interested in.
Mutodori means defending yourself against an attacker with a 3 foot razor blade - and this attacker is an expert
If you perfect mutodori then any modern weapon attack
blade, stick, flexible, projectile
machete, bat, chain, gun
is going to be achievable
mutodori is done against the opponent attacking with 2 tenchi giri, heaven-earth cuts
the first cut is with a full step and full power
the second cut will involve a smaller step and will have less power
how you respond this cut depends on you
Hira no kamae
1. you step back diagonal ichimonji to evade
2. roll away, create distance to escape throw shuriken
Ichimonji no kamae
1. you roll forward diagonal to his rear corner
2. kneeling shikko knee step to cover and strike
a. if unarmed boshi ken to shichibatsu
b. pull tanto and stab
Jumonji no kamae
1. you step/jump sideways and back diagonal
2. step/jump back in, cover/trap, strike shuto to uko
The foundation for Mutodori is in the 3 KAMAE and their expressions
These KAMAE are from Gyokko Ryu and in a way are the Kurai Dori of Sword Defence
In GYOKKO Ryu the 3 levels are:
JO RYAKU - Taijutsu - Unarmed v Unarmed
CHU RYAKU - Muto - Unarmed against Short Sword or Knife
GE RYAKU - Mutodori - Unarmed defence against Katana Sword
The Basic MUTODORI is from Gyokko Ryu and found in the 3 forms of the Book Of Heaven
The KOTO Ryu has Mutodori forms in it's fourth and highest HEKITO level
Shinken Gata Taihenjutsu, 真剣型体変術 – live sword form body changing art
Muto dori Kata, empty hand against a weapon attack
Hira Ichimonji no Kamae, 平一文字の構 – Flat straight stance
Ichimonji no Kamae, 一文字の構 – Straight line stance
Jūmonji no Kamae, 十文字の構 – Crossed hands stance
