Don Roley said:
I know that in Koto ryu certain sections are supposed to be used with small blades as variations of the standard kata.
I've heard the same thing. Particularly that the first movements in the
shoden level techniques are supposed to facilitate a smooth, concealed draw and the final movements are supposed to help you get your tool out of the opponent's body (like the left hand claw strike at the end of
Yokuto or the
Ganseki Nage at the end of
Koyoku) so you're ready for the next attacker. Other sections have other fine points as well. As far as it being a "small blade" though, I think that's all relative. I could be wrong, but I think traditionally, that "small blade" was a
shoto or
wakizashi or something similar to the
Takenouchi ryu kogusoku wedged into the belt flat across the belly. Of course, I'm sure with a little imagination, anyone could apply the principles to a modern folder or what not.
Don Roley said:
(BTW- Kizaru is the guy here that really knows the most about that school. If you get the chance to meet and train with him in it I would suggest you take it.)
I would suggest you don't believe everything you read on the internet.
Don Roley said:
(The above quote says to me that maybe other schools have that type of movement not just possible, but built in and intended.
I would agree.
Nimravus said:
(Aren't the "blades" used in Koto ryu teppan, rather than knives? If memory serves me correctly, teppan are like regular senban shuriken, only without sharpened edges (but still pointy enough to slash with).
Once again I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that
senban shuriken were organic to
Koto ryu Koppojutsu while the
teppan (flat iron plate) was organic to another form of
Koppojutsu taught in the Bujinkan. I believe that the founder of that art had a reputation for being able to break swords with a single punch; although he probably had a
teppan concealed in his hand when pulling it off.
As far as the sharpened edges on
senban shuriken, it's been my experience that the edges are NOT sharpened, so that they can be "palmed" similar to how a modern magician would "palm" a coin.