試合剣術の発展過程に関する研究―『神道無念流剣術心得書』の分析―

抄録

Shiai-kenjutsu or bamboo sword match with protective gear (Bogu) was created and developed by the Jikishinkage-ryu school in the early eighteenth century with the purpose of improving Kenjutsu (Japanese fencing) which had lost opportunities for actual contact. Today's Kendo has its origin in this match.
A recent study (Yoshio Kobayashi et al.1993) maintains that the Hokushin-itto-ryu school built its theory of bamboo sword match between the Koka and the Kaei era (1844-1853). However, no report has been made which clarified the features of other Kenjutsu schools using bamboo swords and protective gear before that period.
Shinto-munen-ryu Kenjutsu Kokoroe-gaki, owned by National Diet Library, was written by Muto Shichinosuke, a master of Shinto-munen-ryu in Sukekawa Village (present-day Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture), who was active in the Tenpo era (1830-1843).
It describes the features of other seven Kenjutsu schools: protective gear, bamboo swords, postures, techniques, tactics and the customs to deal with them.
The main points of this manuscript are summarized as follows:
Prior to the Koka era, each of the Kenjutsu schools had original postures, techniques and tactics. For exemple,
1. Itto-ryu: a fencer mainly thrusts at the opponent's chest and face from the Lower posture (Gedan).
2. Jikishinkage-ryu: a fencer strikes his opponent's head gear and gloves with both hand constantly from the Upper posture (Jodan).
3. Kyoshin-meichi-ryu: a fencer principally makes one hand strikes constantly from the Upper posture while putting his left foot forward.
4. Ryugo-ryu: a fencer strikes his opponent's whole body, especially the legs.
Protective gear (Bogu) were not the same among the schools. Head gear (Men) and gloves (Kote) were worn in common, but body-protecters (Take-gusoku or Do) were not because body-protecters were primitive in those days and some schools assumed that it could hinder the movement of a fencer.