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Astronomical Knowledge of the Mayans: Predictions, Calculations, and Meanings
Systematic Sky ObservationThe Mayan civilization, which flourished from approximately 2000 BCE to the 16th century, d...
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09 Apr 2024
3 min
Bugei Jūhappan. Martial discipline in Japan. Ni...
Welcome to a new article from Espadas Y Más. Today will be a very direct but also very informative post. We want to talk to you about Bugei Jūhappan, the traditional 18 martial disciplines of the Japanese arts. Check out this spectacular Yainohanzo katana! Bugei Jūhappan This selection of techniques was used by the samurai of the Tokugawa era in Japan. This concept was established by Hirayama Gyozo, and is based on previous Chinese concepts such as the 18 weapons of wushu. This Naginata is spectacular! In each Ryu-Ha the techniques and even disciplines may vary, at the discretion of each school, for this reason, the list may vary, but it is common to find the following disciplines in Bugei Jūhappan: - Kenjutsu (Swordsmanship) - Battojutsu (Unsheathed) - Sojutsu (Spear fighting) - Naginatajutsu (Fight with Naginata) - Kyujutsu (Archery) - Kyuba (Horse Archery) - Suijutsu , specifically To-suijutsu (Swimming) - Bōjutsu (stick fighting) - Nagamono (Polearm Fighting) - Torimono Dougu (Arrest Weapons) Weapons used by the Feudal Police of Japan to restrain or arrest someone without harming them. - Kakushi Buki Jutsu (Concealed Weapons) Small, easily concealed hand weapons used for emergency self-protection, such as brass knuckles, etc. - Jujutsu (Unarmed combat) - Shurikenjutsu (Blade Throwing) - Hojutsu (Musketeery) - Jouhou Kaishuu (Information gathering) - Chikujou (Fortifications) - Angou (signaling) - Jinei/Heihou (Strategy and Tactics) As you can see, the list is extensive and interesting, but there is also something less known but equally relevant, the Ninja Jūhakkei , more typical of the Shinobi, which consists of the previous techniques, added to the following: - Seishin teki kyōyō (Mental development and spiritual refinement) - Taijutsu (Unarmed Combat: Jutaijutsu, Daken Taijutsu, Koppo Jutsu, Kosshijutsu) - Bikenjutsu (Sword: Tantōjutsu, Kodachijutsu, Ōdachijutsu, Ninja tōjutsu, Ittojutsu, Nitojutsu) - Sōjutsu (Spear) - Naginatajutsu (Swordlance) - Bisentōjutsu (Halberd) - Kusarigamajutsu , Kyoketsu shoge (Sickle and chain, rope) - Roku shaku bōjutsu , Bōjutsu (Staff) - San shaku bō jutsu , jojutsu (Staff) - Shurikenjutsu , Senbannagejutsu (Throwing blades, usually to distract) - Kishajutsu (Mounted Archery) - Inton jutsu (Shinobi escape techniques) - Hokojutsu (Walking techniques) - Hensō jutsu (Shinobi clothing and disguise techniques) - Kakushi Bukijutsu (Hidden Weapons) - Ninyakujutsu (Use of medicine and poisons) - Gunryaku Heiho (Strategy) - Tenmon, Chimon (Strategies of Heaven and Earth, meteorology) If you notice, some disciplines are repeated, or are similar, and what changes is a greater imprint of the disciplines of concealment, espionage, infiltration, and related elements. This is due to the fact that in certain periods of Japanese history, part of the Shinobi, belonged in turn to the samurai caste, so the study of Bugei is intertwined with the needs of the study of the arts of concealment, so necessary for the Shinobi. We hope you enjoyed it, and that you are diligent in your training! If you want a good katana, check out our store!
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08 Apr 2024
4 min
The Tengu. Folklore and legends of Japan. Yokai.
Welcome to a new blog from Espadas Y Más! Today we will talk about the mythological and interesting figure of the TENGU and their relationship with the samurai. THE TENGU. JAPANESE FOLKLORE The tengu, a mysterious and captivating figure from Japanese folklore, has captured the imagination of generations with its appearance and supernatural powers. This being has left an indelible mark on Japanese culture and beliefs. From ancient legends to their depiction in modern art, tengu continue to be an object of interest for lovers of Japanese mythology. Check out our Katana Shop! Tengu are usually depicted with a long, sharp, bird-like beak , resembling that of a crow, extending from their mouth. They are also associated with enormous black wings, which allow them to fly at great speed and control the wind . They are said to be able to take the appearance of humans or animals in order to remain unnoticed. A unique feature of tengu is their long, sharp nose, one of the most recognizable symbols of the entity. The tengu's nose is believed to represent their wisdom and cunning, granting them knowledge and supernatural powers. Buy this spectacular Top Range katana! Legends of the tengu date back centuries in Japan. According to these legends, these entities are descendants of the Shinto gods and have existed since ancient times. There are countless stories and tales that narrate the exploits of the tengu, which has contributed to their fame and mystery to this day. One of the most famous stories about tengu takes place on Mount Takao , a sacred site located near Tokyo. According to legend, tengu reside deep within the forests of Takao and are watchful protectors of the mountain. It is said that if anyone ventures too close to their territory without permission, the tengu will punish them with strong gusts of wind and may temporarily paralyze them. Katana from The Last Samurai at your disposal In this legend, tengu are portrayed as powerful beings and protectors of their territory. Their ability to control the wind is believed to grant them mystical powers over nature and humans. This story has endured through the centuries and has contributed to the widespread belief that tengu are able to influence the weather. Another famous story related to the tengu involves the brave samurai warriors of Japan . According to legend, tengu are drawn to the spirit of the samurai and often appear to them in the form of birds or creatures with animal features. They are believed to be able to teach martial arts techniques and grant supernatural powers to those who demonstrate bravery and skill in battle. This Mushashi Functional Katana is amazing! This relationship between tengu and samurai has led to the belief that these creatures are associated with war and destruction. Some even believe that tengu are responsible for inciting conflict and disputes between humans, contributing to the fascination and fear surrounding tengu, as they are seen as powerful but potentially dangerous beings. The exact nature of tengu has been a matter of debate for centuries. Some interpretations see them as lesser divinities or protective spirits in Shinto, the ancient indigenous religion of Japan. They are thought to possess the ability to protect people from evil spirits and harmful deities. High quality Tanjiro Kamado Katana! However, there are those who perceive tengu as demonic and hellish entities. They are credited with malicious and deceitful acts, and are said to cause trouble for humans. Many narratives have depicted tengu as playful beings who enjoy creating chaos and confusion. Katana Ghost of Tsushima! In Japanese culture , they have featured in countless stories, plays, paintings and sculptures, becoming a recurring theme in Japanese art and literature. Exceptional YariNoHanzo Katana! In addition to their influence on art, tengu have also left their mark on the Japanese language. The word “tengu” has been used to describe people or things that are playful, mischievous, or cunning. This association with tengu has led to the creation of a rich terminology that reflects the influence of these creatures on the Japanese language. Today, tengu remain prominent figures in Japanese popular culture. They are frequently depicted in manga, anime, and video games, capturing the attention of audiences around the world. Their iconic image and role in Japanese legends have made them an enduring symbol of Japanese mythology.
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About Ninjas, shinobis, ninjutsu and the histor...
18 Jan 2024
The history of Japan. That magical country that calls to many of us, whether we are martial artists, fans of anime, Asian culture or simply travelers everywhere. There are few...
18 Jan 2024
4 min
About Ninjas, shinobis, ninjutsu and the histor...
The history of Japan. That magical country that calls to many of us, whether we are martial artists, fans of anime, Asian culture or simply inveterate travelers. There are few things in Japanese history that fascinate us more than the word "Ninja." We tend to imagine mysterious warriors dressed in black leaping across rooftops on a military mission that usually involves assassination or the assault of a castle. On this subject, several things need to be clarified: -The Ninjas, whom we will call shinobis (or shinobi no mono) from now on (since it is a more historically correct term than the word ninja) existed , they are a real and relevant part of the history of Japan, however, their image has come to us distorted from Japanese cinema (heir to the image of the Kabuki theater). Check out our katanas: https://espadasymas.com/collections/katanas - Being a Shinobi was a job , the job of someone who was dedicated to espionage in the historical context of feudal Japan. There were also female Shinobi. -On many occasions, the Samurai was the same person who acted as a Shinobi. -They had a predilection for the art of disguise, camouflage and were highly effective. So what was a Shinobi really? Shinobi were the specialists in covert tactics in feudal Japan (In another article we will talk about Iga and Koga (Koka) ). Although their origins can be traced back to the 12th century or earlier, shinobi were active during territorial conflicts in Japan. There was a historical period in Japan where war was of special prominence and shinobi no mono were used with great alacrity, we are talking about the Sengoku Period (Special mention deserves the Oda Nobunaga incident in Iga , but we will also tell about that in another article ;) ) And where are martial arts? The role of the Shinobi was mostly focused on stealth, espionage, infiltration etc, however throughout the history of Japan martial arts techniques and schools have been developed, which are called Bujutsu , and more recently, Budo . During the training of the Shinobi, in addition to the rest of the skills, those with greater resources, also due to their training as samurai, were trained in martial arts, and within them, in some "special" techniques when using, for example, weapons. Check out our practice katanas: https://espadasymas.com/collections/katanas-de-practicas Can I learn Ninjutsu nowadays? The role of the Shinobi and therefore of ninjutsu as a bona fide profession has long since disappeared. The last records of Japan using such skills date back to World War II. However... In the last 50 years , different schools of Ninjutsu have proliferated, such as those related to the legacy of Takamatsu Sensei (DEP) and Hatsumi Sensei such as Bujinkan, Genbukan or Jinenkan and those that emerged from these. In addition, schools of other lineages such as those of Kawakami Sensei or Shunichiro Yunoki Sensei (DEP) have also amazed their students with their knowledge and training capabilities. All of these schools have developed their own teaching methods, which may vary from one to another, of course, modern life has changed and the context is not the same as that of Feudal Japan, but if you are interested in arts of Samurai and Shinobi origin, it would be a good place to look. Some of these schools give more importance to traditional ninjutsu, others focus on martial arts at first and then move on to details of historical ninjutsu disciplines, and of course, within each organization it also depends a lot on the teacher you meet. At Espadas Y Más we recommend taking this into account and looking for a school that prioritizes your evolution as a martial artist, that teaches those ninjutsu disciplines that you are looking for, and of course that respects your physical integrity and your freedom as a person and practitioner, in short, a school that is both good and healthy. Check out our naginata: https://espadasymas.com/products/uc3101-lanza-naginata-m48-united-cutlery-video
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