Tsubame gaeshi in Judo

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Tsubame gaeshi

Tsubame Gaeshi (?) is a Judo throw that falls within the seventeen techniques of the Shimmeisho no waza, officially recognised by the Kodokan in 1982.[1] Literally translated as "Swallow Counter", Tsubame gaeshi is the countering of an ashi waza with Deashi harai from the opposite leg. A right-handed Deashi-harai executed by uke, for instance, would be avoided by tori bending his right knee, followed by a left-handed Deashi-harai. Tsubame gaeshi as a counter against uke's Deashi harai is the opening move of the Kaeshi-no-kata. As a counter against Okuriashi harai, it forms the sixth technique of the Nage-Waza-Ura-no-kata.

Kukishin Bikenjutsu

1.

2. Tsuke Komi

3. Sayu Gyaku

4. Tsuki Kake

5. Kiri Age

6. Kiri Age Sayu Gyaku

7. Kiri Sage

8. Kiri Sage Sayu Gyaku

9. Kinshi

10. Kinshi Sayu Gyaku

11. Kocho Gaeshi

12. Kocho Gaeshi Sayu Gyaku

13. Shiho Giri

14. Shiho Giri Sayu Gyaku

15. Happo Giri

16. Happo Giri Sayu Gyaku

17. Tsuki no Wa

18. Tsuki no Wa Sayu Gyaku

19. Fudo no Ken

20. Engeki Buchi

21. Himyo Ken

I borrowed a friend's book the other day titled "Kenjutsu Shoden" by Fredrick J. Lovret. In the book he dedicates it to Kurasawa Sasaki. Is he any relation to Kurosawa Kojiro the founder of the ryu? Also the book is about the Itto Tenshin Katori Shinto style. Is this the same as Tenshin Ryu or has a new style been developed based upon the Itto Tenshin Katori Shinto Ryu?

One last question. In the back of the book under Nito Waza the author mentions a Kenjutsu Chuden. Has this book been published? If so do you know where I can get a copy? I tried to buy my friend's copy of Kenjutsu Shoden but he would not part with it and I have had no luck finding a copy anywhere.

Thanks.Bill Simpson

Mr. Simpson,

I believe I can answer your questions. Kenjutsu Shoden is out of print and the only way you can get one is to convince someone to let go of their copy.

Kenjutsu Chuden was never published.

Kurosawa Kojiro and Kurosawa Sasaki are the same person. An explanation is in order for this. Mr. Wolfe has written that the Tenshin ryu deals primarily with the long sword. One of the waza we have is called tsubame gaeshi. This cut was made famous by a man named Kojiro Sasaki. He was the man defeated by Musashi Miyamoto. Kurosawa Kojiro was said to be very adept at this cut and his fellow students gave him the nickname of Sasaki.

Itto Tenshin Katori Shinto ryu is the official name of the ryu. It has been this way for the 19+ years I have been a member. We normally use the Tenshin ryu or the Itto Tenshin ryu as a short form.

I hope this clarifies things for you.

Joe McVey

There is some influence from the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu, but it has to do primarily with the method of nuki dashi in our iaijutsu. The main influence comes from the Itto ryu and has to do with the method of cutting (kiri oroshi). Our concept of heiho is said to derive from the Niten Ichi ryu and has to do with timing. Only Lovret Sensei can tell you if he plans to publish in the future.

Hope this helps.

Joe McVey

I thought I might add a thing or two to this discussion. The Tenshin-ryu is a small family art, which grew out of the Meiji era melting pot of bud. There was a great deal of cross pollination among various ry at that time. Kenjutsu instructors began teaching their art publicly to make a living. The popularity of shiai kenjutsu and the musha-shugyo of some serious budka, saw senior level swordsmen of one ryu bested in contest with an instructor of another ry. Often the defeated swordsman would become a disciple of the victor, and traditions started to mix. Most schools went on to be completely shiai kend, and a few maintained the old ways of shinken and kata based traditions. Tenshin-ry is of the latter group.

My own (repeat, my own) research leads me to believe that the Itto-ryu is the primary influence on our art. Kiri-oroshi is the heart and soul technique of the ryu. Many heih, and our okuden seem to be Itto-ryu. I definetely can see Shinto-ryu influence in our iai-nuki, and the use of the hips in movement. One description I have heard (though overly simplified) is that Tenshin-ry is Itto-ryu swordsmanship with Shinto-ryu sabaki. There is much more to it than that.

The important thing is that even though these two traditions influenced the founding of the Tenshin-ry, the gokui of our ry is unique and independent. You may see in a child the resemblance to both parents, but the childs soul is unique and his own.

As for the name of the ryu: This is the source of much controversy and debate. All of my menkyo say Tenshin-ry onu them, so thats what I call the art. I have at times referred to it as Itto Tenshin-ryu when writing about it. It is my understanding that the name Itto Tenshin Katori Shinto-ryu is what was passed on to Lovret Sensei. Other than the name, there are no claims to direct lineage or relationship to the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu.

I wrote this before I saw Mr. McVeys last post. Other than the reference to Niten Ichi-ryu (I heard Tetsujin-ryu same origins though), we seem to be on the same page. Good to read you Mr. McVey! Hope all is well. Looking forward to October.

Bill

Ok, just briefly going back to the Sasaki Kojiro thing, so Tenshin Ryu is the style of swordsmanship that THE Sasaki Kojiro was tought in?

I just would like to know because well...Kojiro was my favorite swordsman in history. Some things I hear about him is that he was a kinda ladies man because of his looks (some also say he had the appearance of a boy), a legend states that he was trying to cut flying swallows at Kintaibashi brigade (leading to the inspiration of Tsubame Gaeshi) and at Ichijo waterfalls is where he perfected the technique.

Matthew Hlobilek, Shorin no Tora Dojo

Sasaki Kojiro lived and died long before the Tenshin-ryu you are referring to ever existed. The waza of tsubame gaeshi or tsubame giri can be found in various forms in many ryu. It is essentially a back and forth motion done horizontally mimicking the tail of the swallow when in flight.

Joe McVey