Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism Deep Dive: Into the World of Kenjutsu & Machiavellianism

Hey, readers. Finally, I've gotten some time on doing this special post. Anyway, I had done an anime review on Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism. BUT, BUT, I felt that it wasn't enough. So, I decided to do a deep dive on some of the things within the anime.

Oh, Satori...

Well, I had to conduct a little bit of research to get to know and dive in a little deeper than usual. So, this one is gonna be a VERY HUGE SPOILER. So...the WARNING SIGN is a little unusual. Maybe I will use this modified warning sign for new posts. Anyway, let's go?



WARNING:-

SPOILER ALERT!!! If you haven't watched it and plan to watch it without anyone being the spoiler, please DON'T CONTINUE READING!!!



P.S. If you want to be spoiled, well, go ahead and read it. You HAD been warned. Don't blame me for being spoiled if you INSIST on continuing to read this post.

Deep Dive: Machiavellianism

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OK, I will start off with the concept called Machiavellianism. Well, you read it up on Wikipedia, it says in the introduction:-

"Machiavellianism is "the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct". The word comes from the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer Niccolò Machiavelli, born in 1469, who wrote Il Principe (The Prince), among other works. In modern psychology, Machiavellianism is one of the dark triad personalities, characterised by a duplicitous interpersonal style, a cynical disregard for morality, and a focus on self-interest and personal gain."

Well, in our case for the anime, the statement of "cynical disregard for morality" is not exactly true (maybe true for Satori) if you watch the anime Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism carefully. BUT...the statement of "the employment of cunning and duplicity" is quite a good description.

This picture basically describes what Machiavellianism is...

Well, think about it. Although the members of the Supreme Five Swords are to protect the girls and the five virtues of the school, they use ANY methods they like and whatever they want to it be in the name of co-existence. THAT is OVERDOING IT. I'm not sure that there is any sort of personal gain but every member of the Supreme Five Swords have some sort of self-interest and are not very interested in working with each other. You can see that from the beginning. Rin and Mary used a torture technique, which is called Buri-Buri (ぶーりぶり). This technique involves torturing a person by hanging the person upside down on a pot of water and hit the subject at the same time to make the subject spin. Not nice, not nice. This was to force Nomura to speak and explain about the photo of a naked Satori on Nomura's bed during the incident with Satori.

The members of the Supreme Five Sword...

Well, we know based on what happened in the series of events that unfold before us in the anime, each and every member of the Supreme Five Sword undergoes changes. And EVEN the ALL DOMINEERING Amou also underwent changes! Amou is the BEST EMBODIMENT of Machiavellism. She wants to dominate anyone everywhere she goes regardless what the method to achieve that is (usually is by brute force and literally bloodshed though). BTW, you can deep dive into the concept of Machiavellianism yourself here. You can go and search it and research using search engines.

Amou...

Deep Dive: Japanese Swordsmanship

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Now, I will be getting into the sword style of each and every member of the Supreme Five Swords. Well, Japanese swordsmanship (in Japanese, 剣術, read as Kenjutsu) is an umbrella term for all schools of Japanese swordsmanship (or in Japanese, 古流, read as koryū), in particular, those that predate the Meiji Restoration.

Well, have you heard of Kendo (剣道) or Iaido (居合道)? Their modern styles included a modern form of Kenjutsu in their curriculum, too. Kenjutsu, which originated with the samurai class of feudal Japan, means "the method, technique or the art of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means "the way of the sword", you can learn about their difference here. Anyways, let's move on, shall we?

Onigawara Rin: Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū

First up, of course, it would Onigawara Rin! Onigawara Rin practices the Japanese swordsmanship school of Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū (in Japanese, 鹿島神傳直心影流). Pretty long for a name, right? So, this school of Kenjutsu is often referred to as simply Jikishinkage-ryū or Kashima Shinden.

Top: The Koryu that Rin practices, Bottom: The technique.

This school of Kenjutsu was found in the 16th century, about 1570. It still exists till today...wow, that is a LONG tradition. Anyway, there is a WHOLE load of details regarding this school of Kenjutsu that I cannot fit into this post (otherwise it will be TOO LONG). Well, you wanna know more about it. You can first check the Wikipedia page for this Kenjustu or the video below.

For us, as anime fans, we will explore and list down the list of moves that Onigawara Rin uses in the anime. Let's go!!!

1. 横一文字 (よこ・いち・もん・じ): Literally translates as the horizontal 'one' character. Since in Japanese, one is just a horizontal line so the phase is actually redundant. One of the translations that I know is Horizontal Strike because it is a strike. Well, it sounds cool, right?
2. 阿吽 (あうん) の呼吸 (こきょう): Well, this looks weird but it is translated as mirrored breathing. The word, 「阿吽」 refers to the 'twin' lion-like animal that you can see in ancient China Architecture (Am I right?)...and the word, 「呼吸」 refers to breathing. BTW, in the anime, it explains that she uses this to sync the timing of her breathing and movements.
3. 龍尾 (りゅう・び): This literally means the dragon's tail. She swings the sword from the back after holding the sword by placing it on her side. Sorry, I can't really explain it in words well, but it looks as if the dragon is swinging its tail to attack its opponent.
4. 鶴ノ構 (つるのかまえ): This is translated as crane's pose. This is where Rin lifts one of her legs to stand on one leg like what a crane does. Thus, the name is born.
5. 霞 (かすみ): It translated as blur, which is accurate. As for how the attack looked like...Rin basically thrusts her sword into the position the neck is at.
6. 乳取 (りちど・り): It translated as Chest Strike, which is quite spot on. BUT the character, 「取」 can also mean to take. As for how the attack looked like...Rin basically thrusts her sword towards the position the chess is at.
7. 曲尺 (きょく・しゃく): It is translated as Carpenter Square. I don't really know whether that is accurate or not but the character, 「曲」can means crooked or melody. As for the character,「尺」refers to ruler or measurement. In this move, a user basically slices the opponent by swings the sword downwards and somewhat able to hit the opponent if they are only slightly off the trajectory of the sword.
8. 外旋 (がいせん): It is translated as Outer Rotation, which is accurate since 「外」 means outside and 「旋」 means rotation. In the anime, it is shown that Rin uses her feet to sweep outwards.
9. 韜之方 (とうのかた)：圓連 (えんれん): It is translated as Hidden Technique: Circle. The word 「韜」means bag or warping but it also used to terms like 「韜晦」【トウカイ】, which means hidden (talents, etc.), self-concealment, self-effacement. So the word, 「韜之方 」is accurate. As for the term,「圓連」means circle since 「圓」 means circle and 「連」 mean connect (which doesn't contribute to any sort of meaning). I'm not sure about this one but maybe the attack that Rin imposes on Nomura when his back faces the tree.
10. 一(ひとつ)の太刀(たち): It is translated as one blade. This is where Rin moves forward in spite of Warabi's sword approaching her.

Kikakujo Mary: Western Swordsmanship (more like fencing)

As for Kikakujo Mary, quite easy to get for most of us. It looked to me as fencing though (Well, I guess fencing is derived from Western Swordsmanship). Since is this might be more relatable to Westerner, I won't look much into it. The anime displays 「西洋剣術」. Well, don't worry, it just means Western Swordsmanship. Nothing deep.

Anyway, I still list down the moves she used but since the terms looked like French or maybe some fencing term that I don't know. Plus, the terms are in Katakana, I can't really translate back easily as I don't really know Western Swordsmanship. So, I will just write out the Katakana and try to give a bit of perceptive.

1. ジュタージュ: It is translated as 'flick' but it is NOT pronounced as flick but...(I will use Romaji here) pronounce as 'Jutaaju'. Seriously, someone please help me. Anyway, this move striking past the opponent's defences and delivering a small cut.
2. ルドゥブルマン: It's translated as Redoublement and IT'S pronounced as Redoublement but not exactly since it is written in Katakana. So, it more like 'Rudouburuman' than redoublement. She flails her sword around, making the path of her attack unpredictable.
3. ドゥジュ・パール・ドゥジュ: It's translated as Touche par Touche. In the anime, when she uses it, she delivers a downwards thrust to an opponent.
4. ドゥジュ・パール・デゥスゥ: It translated as Touche par Dessous. In the anime, when she uses it, she delivers an upward thrust to an opponent.
5. フレッジュ: It translated as flèche. This is where Mary charges forwards to the Hanasaka Musketeers and defeats them.
6. バレストラ: It translated as Balestra. For this one, I am not too sure as she and Rin charge towards Amou at the point of time.

Hanasaka Warabi: Taisha Ryu

For that consistently 'Hyo, Hyo, Hyo'-ing Warabi, she practices the Kenjustu School of Taisha Ryu (タイ捨流). Warabi...she is kinda consistently laughing. The word, Warau (笑う, it means to laugh) is similar to the pronunciation of her name, Warabi (蕨). Anyway, putting that aside, the Taisha Ryu is founded by Marume Kurando Nagayoshi (丸目蔵人長恵), a student of the Shinkage Ryu. There is a very good blog post on this Kenjutsu. Also, I have this link although it is DEFINITELY a stub.

I got this picture that shows that Rin's Kenjustu also has the same roots as Taisha Ryu. Just saying. Anyway, you go and search to learn more about it. Sorry for not giving more. I can't give you otherwise this post will be too long. Oh, I also found this video.

OK, now the list of techniques used by Warabi. Hyo, Hyo, Hyo!

1. タイ捨流 大太刀形(おおだちかたち) 捌(はち)： 猿廻 (えんかい): This is the eighth technique of the Taisha Ryu, Enkai. The character, 「猿」means monkey whilst「廻」means to revolve. There is actually no particular meaningful translation for the word, 「猿廻」. Warabi uses it to block Rin's strike and uses numerous techniques to counter Rin's charging attack. She also spins around and jumps as if she is a monkey.
2. タイ捨流 大太刀形(おおだちかたち) 十壱(じゅういち)：楊遮 (ようしゃ): This is the eleventh technique of the Taisha Ryu, Yousha. The character, 「楊」(read as やなぎ or よう, in this case) means a Willow tree whilst「遮」means to intercept, interrupt, obstruct. Like the previous technique, there is actually no particular meaningful translation for the word, 「楊遮」. Warabi uses it to block Rin's strike with her sword's handle and then proceeds for a downwards slash to initiate a counterattack.
3. 組太刀(くみたち) 弐(に) 足蹴(そくしゅう): This is the second combination technique of the Taichi Ryu, that is a kick. The character, 「足」means feet whilst the character,「蹴」means kick. So, basically, this is a combination technique to kick someone. LOL!
4. 突柄 (とっぺい): This doesn't have a meaning translation as the word,「突」means  thrust, pierce, collision or sudden and「柄」means pattern or knob. BUT this dissection helps us to understand as it describes well on what Warabi did in her clash with Misogi, hitting her with the handle of her sword.

Well, Warabi is quite short but I didn't include the technique, 人獣一体 ():ドウジギリ, as this is a special technique by Warabi herself. It is basically she and her pet bear attacks at the same time.

Tamaba Satori: Keishi Ryu

For Tamaba Satori...Well, she practices the Kenjustu School of Keishi Ryu (警視流), which shows that this Kenjutsu is a 'standardised Kenjutsu' for police. This Kenjutsu takes the essence of each of the Koryu and merge them into one. Well, I got the Wikipedia ones here BUT it's in Japanese. Sorry. You need to do the translation if want to read it. BTW, these are the essence of each of the Koryu that is contained within this Kenjustu.

1. 八相 (はっそう)（直心影流）: This move taken from Rin's school. It is called 「八相」, which literally means eight faces or eight phases.
2. 変化 (へんか)（鞍馬流 (くらまりゅう)）: This move taken from the school. It is called 「変化」, which literally means change or transform.
3. 八天切 (はちてんぎり)（堤宝山流 (つつみほざんりゅう)）: This move taken from the school. It is called 「八天切 」, which literally means cutting the eight heavens.
4. 巻落 (まきおとし)（立身流 (たつみりゅう)）: This move taken from the school. It is called 「巻落 」, which literally means a coiled fall. (or maybe a rolled-up fall? Not too sure how to translate this.)
5. 下段(げだん)の突(つき)（北辰一刀流 (ほくしんいっとりゅう)）: This move taken from the school. It is called 「下段の突 」, which literally means a low position thrust.
6. 阿吽 (あうん)（浅山一伝流 (あさやまいちでんりゅう)）: This move taken from the school. It is called 「阿吽」, which I had mentioned it when I was talking about Rin's skill set but this is definitely different. Rin's one is about breathing while this one...I'm not too sure myself. Sorry, people. 
7. 一二(いちに)の太刀(たち)（示現流 (じげんりゅう)）: This move taken from the school. It is called 「一二の太刀」, which literally means the one, two Nodachi. Well, Nodachi is a type of Japanese sword. Well,  I don't why the name is that.
8. 打落 (うちおとし)（神道無念流 (しんだむねんりゅう)）: This move taken from the school. It is called 「打落」, which literally means hit and drop.
9. 破折 (はせつ)（柳生流 (やぎゅりゅう)）: This move taken from the school. It is called 「破折」, which literally means broken or fracture.
10. 位詰 (くらいずめ)（鏡心明智流 (きょしんめいちりゅう)）:  This move taken from the school. It is called 「位詰」, which literally means packed position. Well, since the character,「位」「詰」

I won't elaborate much on which skills she used as I'm not too sure how it works but in the anime, it's revealed that she used skill 4, 6 and 8. She also used something that you might know, 立居合 (たちいあい). This is basically a quick drawing of the sword to attack, a type of Iaido. There is also another skill she used, which is from Tatsumi Ryu, 「水平正眼」(which is translated as Horizontal Eye Attack). I won't any further here. There are two links that would like to share, one from Reddit and another from a site called Kendo World. These links are about the Keishi Ryu.

Inaba Tsukuyo: Yakumaru Jigen Ryu

As for the apparently blind Inaba, she practices Yakumaru Jigen Ryu (in Japanese, 薬丸自顕流) or Nodachi Jigen Ryu (in Japanese, 野太刀自顕流). Why two name? The first one is because of the founder, Yakumaru Kenchin, while the second one is because this Kenjutsu primarily used the Japanese Nodachi sword.

Well, I won't go into the details but there is a Wikipedia page for it. Well, it's in Japanese though. If not, you do the research yourself or you can refer to this discussion on Reddit. Oh yeah, I also found a video on it.

OK, now the list of techniques used by Inaba. There is not much here as she rarely gets much time of fighting. Anyway, let's take a look at it.

1. 雲耀(うんよう): This term, like some of the skills in the anime, has no meaningful translation. 「雲」means the clouds and「耀」means glory and sparkle. Inaba draws her sword to attack in very quickly. I mean like a one-hundred thousandth of a second fast to attack. Seriously?!
2. 瞬光 (しゅんこう): The one means in a flash of the light, which is SERIOUSLY very fast. Of course, like most of the move in the anime, all of these moves are slowed down for the show. This is a part of her Unyou strike against Amou, which was only used once as Nomura stepped in to take over the fight against Amou.
3. 一瞬三斬 (いっしゅんさんざん): This is also a part of her Unyou strike against Amou, which was only used once as Nomura stepped in to take over the fight against Amou.

Conclusion

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Well, there is a lot that didn't mention regarding each and every Kenjutsu but our focus is on the technique shown in the anime, not a detailed post on each of the Kenjutsu. Otherwise, the post will be TOO LONG. There is too much thing in each of these Kenjutsu. Each and every one of them has quite a long history, which will too much for me to fit them all into this post.

That 'time-stop'...

Oh yeah, there is also this site, which is in Japanese also. I recommend you to get JGlossator. BTW, the anime has slowed down most of the attacking moves for show. I might have missed out some of the technique shown in the anime. You can put in the comment section below or send a private message in the Facebook page if missed out any. Remember to write the skill is displayed in which episode. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this post. See ya next time and God bless you!!!