Opening the hips is an extremely important movement, not only in seated techniques (Zahô 坐法) and standing techniques (Tachiai 立相), but in general. However, for modern people who have grown up apart from floor-sitting culture, opening the legs while in a seated techniques is particularly difficult. Therefore, this section introduces a training method that focuses solely on the opening and closing of the knees. Please note that this is not a traditional training method.
Representative Techniques Used
A movement that makes use of knee opening and closing, and is familiar even to beginners, is the Nukiuchi 抜刀 from the seated technique (Zahô 坐法) of Kodachi battōjutsu 小太刀抜刀術 (short sword drawing techniques).
In nukiuchi 抜刀, the sword is first drawn while closing both knees.
During the downward cut, the knees are opened as much as possible.
When settling into the Shizumi-Seigan 沈み青眼, the knees are once again brought completely together.
One important point to note is that when the knees are opened, the thighs must not tilt backward.
When opening both knees, the thighs should remain approximately vertical.
If the thighs tilt backward, the knees may open wider, but the hips will collapse and proper posture will be lost.
When the pelvis (hips) tilts backward, power escapes from the body, resulting in delays when transitioning to the next movement.
If the thighs remain vertical (or slightly tilted forward in some cases), the knees may not open as wide, but the posture will be correct.
When opening both knees, the thighs should remain approximately vertical.
If the thighs tilt backward, the knees may open wider, but the hips will collapse and proper posture will be lost.
When the pelvis (hips) tilts backward, power escapes from the body, resulting in delays when transitioning to the next movement.
If the thighs remain vertical (or slightly tilted forward in some cases), the knees may not open as wide, but the posture will be correct.
Movement Explanation
Begin by bringing both knees together.
Lift your hips slightly so that you are balanced on your toes, keeping your upper body upright.
While being careful not to tilt the pelvis backward, open both knees to the sides as much as possible.
Then, close both knees completely.
Repeat the opening and closing motion of the knees.
Although the knees should open as far as possible, the thighs must remain vertical.
It becomes easier to maintain correct posture by consciously pushing the hips—or the navel—slightly forward.
Even when the knees are closed, try to keep the upper body and thighs as vertical as possible.
In practice, this results in a slightly arched posture, with the hips gently protruding forward.
In Conclusion
This is an effective training method for improving the hip mobility required in Tenshin-ryu.
Such focused, isolated exercises are extremely useful for acquiring correct movements both quickly and efficiently.
While this particular drill—focusing solely on the opening and closing of the knees—is not formally designated, partial training of this kind is commonly practiced in Tenshin-ryu.
There is no strict rule regarding the number of repetitions, but performing 20 repetitions as one set, for a total of three sets, is a good guideline.
Practicing with the three-phase rhythm of jo-ha-kyû 序破急 (slow–moderate–fast) will make the training even more effective.
Since Tenshin-ryu includes a wide variety of techniques and training methods, rather than performing this every day, it is better to practice it occasionally—such as once a week—as part of a balanced approach to developing both physical ability and technique.
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