Lesson 6 Hand shape and hand position at Koza

Tenshinryu Online members have a very good question.

In Kenzazen’s(剣坐禅) video, I showed Koza’s(胡坐) attitude.The question is about hand shape and position in Koza.

This time, the lesson will be conducted by answering the questions.

One of the interesting aspects of Japanese traditional culture is TokozaBunka(床座文化 Culture sitting directly on the floor).

As you know, TokozaBunka exists outside of Japan.

Above all, TokozaBunka in Japan can be said to be extremely ingenious in terms of manners and behavior.

In modern times, the correct sitting style in Japan is called Seiza(正座).

However, in the past, it was called “Tanza･Hashiza(端坐)”, “Kashikomaru(畏まる)”, “Tsukubau(蹲う)”, etc…, and it became known as Seiza(正座) after the Meiji era.

At Tenshinryu, this is called Ougiza(扇坐 It means sitting with both knees open like a fan).

However, this sitting style has been seen for a long time.

(There is a discourse that he did not sit up until the middle of Edo period, but before that, it is natural to think that it existed even if it was not used regularly because it is also seen in pictorial drawings such as the Sengoku period.)

It is said that the tatami mats became widely used especially in everyday life after the mid-Edo period.

It is said that this is partly due to Sado (茶道 Tea ceremony) that takes place in the narrow Chasitsu (茶室 Tea room for Sado).

(There is a theory that the founder of the tea ceremony, Sen no Rikyū did not use Seza in tea ceremony.)

Before seiza became routine, several sitting styles were used.

Rakuza(楽坐 way of sitting on the ground with the sole of both feet pressed together), Tatehiza(建膝 standing one knee), Agura/Anza(胡坐/安坐 crossed legs), and Kameza/Kikyo(亀坐/亀居 sitting posture with the legs bent back on each side. W-sitting ).

These sitting styles were also used in ceremonies and other occasions, and were used according to gender and circumstances.

Rakuza is the official sitting style when wearing Ikansokutai(衣冠束帯 full court dress of traditional fashion), and it is also depicted in portraits of successive Tokugawa Shoguns(徳川将軍).

Agura(胡坐) is a simplified version of Rakuza(楽坐).

In Tenshinryu, Agura(胡坐) is called a Koza(胡坐).

Koza is a sitting method that has been used on a daily basis since the middle Edo period.

In Tenshinryu, the technique group in the form of Koza is called the Kosiki/Koden(古式/古伝 ancient style), and Tenshinryu attach great importance to it.

In this Koza posture, hold both hands so that their thumbs are hidden, and place the right hand on the base of the right thigh, the left hand on the left knee, and the palm side up.

Tenshinryu strictly defines the shape and position of these hands.

What is the meaning of this as a historical rule is a very difficult explanation.

First of all, in Koza and Rakuza, there are cases where the picture is Hirade(平手 flat hand. Do not hold the fist).

You can also see a picture with the fist held up and the back of the hand up.

So, as a historical manner, the Tenshinryu method is not always absolutely correct.

(This is common to all manners and techniques.)

Now I will explain the details.

The first is about hiding your thumb.

When holding a fist with Koza, you have to hide your thumb.

In the old Japanese manners, there is a custom of hiding the thumb nail in the case of a Hirade(平手 flat hand).

Hiding your thumbs is also derived from old Japanese customs.

(Even today, a small number of people have the custom of “hiding your thumb when you see the hearse.”)

“It’s beautiful not to show your nails.”

“Hide important things (thumbs).”

Often such explanations are given, but the fact is that it is a very old custom and the truth is no longer known.

Tenshin-ryu includes the aspect of samurai culture(武家文化 Bukebunka), such as “”I will not do Koiguchi wo kiru.” or “Do not hold the handle(柄 Tsuka)”.

*Koiguchi wo kiru(鯉口を切る)

The movement of pulling out a sword a littlie by placing the thumb on the Tsuba (鍔 handguard) when drawing a sword from the Saya(鞘 sheath).

Opening your hands means showing in your hands.

(lay one’s card on the table)

Then, what is the reason why you do not hold the fist and open it? Actually, it is not clear.

One hypothesis may be that when holding a fan(扇 Ougi) or Shaku(笏 in Japan, a short rod that is carried on ceremonial occasions, called “Shaku”) in the ceremony, it came from trying to make both hands into symmetry.

Such symmetry is found in old pictures and remains in modern Shinto manners.

And it is the hypothesis that they did so even if they did not have a fan or Shaku.

There are two types of old pictures: to direct upwards palms and to direct upwards the back of the hand.

In Tenshinryu, the palm side is up.

Why palm side is up?

This is because the elbow drops naturally and it is easy to pull out the sword in case of suddenness.

However, if you look at it normally, you can see inside your hands, your elbows will fall and you will be in a natural, relaxed position.

You can show that you are not in a battle posture.

This is the same theory as the hand position in Ougiza (Seiza) in Tenshinryu.

In modern times, the act of putting a fist on the knee is often used for Agura.

However, in Edo and earlier paintings, most of them were painted with their hands around the base of their thighs, and rarely painted on their on the knees.

As mentioned above, in Tenshinryu, the right fist is placed at the base of the right thigh, and the left fist is placed on the left knee.

In other words, the position of the right fist in Tenshinryu is a general position.

So why put the left fist on the knee in Tenshinryu?

That’s because it’s a way to show that you don’t pull your sword away from Koiguchi with your left hand.

In the state of wearing Tachi(太刀) and sitting,, this is called Haizaho(佩坐法) in Tenshinryu.

At this time, if you place your left hand at the base of the left thigh, the left fist and Tachi will be very close together.

It can be said that the state where Tachi and fist are in contact is still unsuitable as a manner.

This is the basic reason.

And this is my interpretation, but the advantage of this posture is that it is actually very easy to pull a sword.

If you practice for a long time and are not well proficient, you will probably not notice this difference.

Despite being a posture that can be fought at any time, others do not know it, but rather are polite. This is the ideal Samurai manner.

For these combined reasons, the shape and position of Koza’s hand has passed down to Tenshinryu.

In modern times, even in traditional martial arts, there are few ways to passed down orally and teachings on the sitting method at a practical level.

If we don’t master the details, including these details, we will move away from the true form of Tenshinryu.

In that sense, the questions we have are very meaningful and insightful.

I’m glad you brought that up.