Charles V. Gruzanski

from cover

This handy volume introduces the exciting and deadly secrets of two ninja arts-the chain and the shuriken.

The Masaki school of chain fighting was developed in the feudal siciety of the early eighteenth century by a swordsman-sentry in Edo (Tokyo) Castle. Feeling that the shedding of blood in such a hallowed place would be disgraceful, he successfully devised the effective combat use of the weighted chain. Even the name he gave to the art proves the trust he placed in its effectiveness-manrikigusari (chain with the powe of ten thousand).

The equally devasting art of shuriken, the throwing of metal stars and spikes, evolved shortly after mankikigusari. the easily concealed shuriken soon became known as an extremely effective weapon for both ninja and samurai warriors.

Charles V. Gruzanski, the first westerner to be admitted to the International Martial Arts Research Association, is believed to be the only non-Japanese to hold an Instructor's Certificate in the arts of teh Masaki school.

Contents

List of illustrations
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
The Samurai Creed
Part I Masaki-ryu
History of the Manrikigusari and Masaki-ryu-The beginning; Development of the art; Other schools of the Manrikigusari
Special characteristics of the Manirkigusari-General features; Advantages to using the Manrikigusari; Practice; Unique features
Techniques for using the Manrikigusari-Proper grip; Manipulation; Kamae (Preparatory postitions) Goho-no-kamae; Issei-no-kamae; Tenchi-no-kamae; Shumoku-no-kamae; Ippu-no-kamae
Iai tecniques-Kasumi (hazing); Kakoiuchi (vertical downward strike including the vertical 'figure 8'); Sukuichi (scooping strike in an up-ward direction to include the horizontal 'figure 8'); Kobushigarami-nage katame (fist winding and throwing technique); Ude-gatame-nage katame (forearm lock and throwing technique); Jodan-uke (upper block); uchiotoshi (striking drop); Shohatsu (horizontal strike); Ukenagashi (flowing block); Makiotoshi (winding drop); Yukichigai (draw and strike); Nageuchi (throwing strike); ichidan and nidan
Tachiai techniques-Yokonagare (checking technique); Samidare-no-uchi (body shifting, horizontal striking, and kick); Kagero-no-uchi (body shifting, vertical upward striking, and kick); Yadome (arrow stop or shield technique)
Henka (variations)-Kobushi kujiki (fist crushing); Suneori (shin striking)
Defense against one hand chain seizure
defense against kicking
Kyusho (vital points of the human body_
How to make a Manrikugusari-The chain; The weights
Part II Shuriken-jutsu
History of Shuriken-jutsu
the transition
Variouis types of shuriken
Proper method of holding the shuriken
The secrets of shuriken-jutsu
Practice
Half-trn method
Target selection
Safety precautions
Throwing and distance
How to make your own shuriken
Shaken (cross-shaped shuriken)
Bibliography… (meer)

(from the dust jacket)

This two-in-one book introduces secrets of two little known branches of the martial art of Japan.

The first involves the use of the manrikigusari, a length of chain with weighted ends, used in various ways for self-defense. Its originator, a Japanese swordsman, so named it because he felt the weapon contained the power and ingenuity of 10,000 persons-man meaning 10,000, riki, power, and gusuri chain. It was created because the swordsman, then a castle sentry in Tokyo, felt in defending his post that ploodshed would be disgraceful in front of so distinguished a spot. Masaki-Ryu, or Masaki School, was named after the noble swordsman, Dannoshin Toshimitsu Masaki (c, 1700).

The second part of this book deals with Shuriken-Jutsu, which came some time later. It involves the use of metal lspikes (shuriken) of various lengths and shapes, which are either thrown or used as hand weapons. The deadly implement was small enough to be carried in numbers on the person and proved to be handy whenever a samurai was challenged. The art today is a dying one and presenlty in Japan, there are believed to be only a handful of men left who are practiced in the shuriken technique.

Tor martial arts enthusiasts, this book will prove interesting and informative reading. A warning is issued by the author, however, to those who attempt to use the manrikigusari and shuriken for wrongdoing for 'injuring others or damaging property will result in physical and spiritual destruction. Even the broadest interpretation of the law will classify them as deadly or dangerous weapons. Temember that the weapons and techniques illustrated in this book cannot iinjure anyone by themselves. It is the person behind them that really makes them dangerous.'

Charles V. Gruzanski served more than nine years in the U.S. Army, six years of which was spent in Japan. It was at this time that he bagan his stydy of the traditional Japanese martial arts and has continued his studies for the past 17 years. He has received instruction from some of the outstanding masters of the martial arts of our time. As a result of his studies, he holds black belt rating in karate, judo, jujutsu, and aikido, and is helieved to be the only non-Japanese to be accepted for membership in the International Martial Arts Research Association.

Gruzansik, a police officer, is a self-defense instructor at the Chicago Police Academy where he has taught for more than six and a half years. During his off duty hours, he operates two of the largest martial arts schools in the midwestern United States. He has authored many magazine articles on police self-defense and has co-authored the first book on knife throwing as a modern sport.

Contents

List of Illustrations, Acknowledgments, Preface, Introduction, The Samurai Creed
Part I Masaki-ryu
History of the Manrikigusari and Masaki-ryu
The Beginning
Development of the Art
Other Schools of the Manrikigusari)
Special Characteristics of the Manrikigusari
General Features
Advantages to Using the Manrikigusari
Practice
Unique Features)
Techniques for Using the Manrikigusari
Proper Grip
Manipulation
Kamai (preparatory positions)
Iai Techniques (Kasumi-hazing; Kakoiuchi-vert. downward strike; Sukuichi-
scooping strike in an upward direction;Kobushigarami-nage katame-fist winding and
throwing technique; Ude-gatame-nage katame-forearm lock and throwing
technique; Jodan-uke-upper block; Uchiotoshi-striking drop; Shohatsu-
horizontal strike; Ukenagashi-flowing block; Makiotoshi-winding drop;
Yukichigai-draw and strike; Nageuchi-throwing strike; Nageuchi-throwing strike,
ichidan and nidan)
Tachiai Techniques (Yokonagare-checking technique; Samidare-no-uchi-body
shifting, horizontal striking, and kick; Kagero-no-uch-body shifting, vertical
upward striking and kick; Yadome-arrow stop or shield technique)
Henke (variations--Kobushi kujiki-fist crushing; Suneori-shin striking)
Kyusho (vital points of the human body)
How to make a manrikigusari--The weight; the chain
Part II… (meer)