- Section Three -

Section Three: Catalogue of Ono Ha Itto Ryu kata practised in Victor Harris’ lineage

This is the core of the book, comprising over three hundred pages. The kata are regarded as combat engagements between the swordsmen.

The combat engagements of the school have been numbered from 1 to 76 for ease of understanding for a Western audience. Each engagement consists of one or more situations (totalling in excess of 150) with which the student must learn to cope. Each of the seventy-six engagements in the school (split into the groups Odachi, Kodachi, Aikodachi, Habiki, Hoshatto and Saiko Gokui Goten) is described in considerable detail.

As well as being named (Japanese name and English equivalent) and numbered, each is given an overview, followed by a detailed step-by-step description of how the kata is performed in practice. This description not only details how the engagement is to be executed in terms of sword and hand movements, body movements and footwork, but mentions common mistakes and how they are avoided, and also describes the intention behind the movements as well as noting other points of importance to the would-be practitioner. The engagements are described as combat actions involving mind, body and sword to bring out the lessons of swordsmanship. They are not treated, and should not be treated, as ’dance’ routines.

A plethora of high-quality colour illustrations are included to accompany and complement the textual commentary.

While the book gives these extremely details descriptions, it is of course important for the would-be student to have face-to-face tuition from a suitably experienced teacher.

Page and illustration extracts …