Chiburi: Blade Cleansing

The act of chiburi, or cleansing the blade has most likely been a part of Japanese swordsmanship since its inception. In some schools, it represents the actual removal of tissue and blood, while in others, it’s simply the stylistic symbolism of wiping the blade clean with washi (paper). Many modern schools see chiburi solely as an en guarde position.

Regardless of use within the various ryuha, there remains a wide array of both technical and spiritual manifestations of this aspect of swordsmanship. What follows is a compilation of various forms of chiburi I’ve seen over the years. I’ve tried to group similar chiburi together and used names that either describe the physical movement, or associate the chiburi with the particular school it’s most commonly seen in. Therefore, all names, brief descriptions and any inaccuracies are my own.*

The List:

1. Ko-chiburi: Old Style
This chiburi is probably the most commonly seen in various ryuha (Eishin-ryu, Suio-ryu, Tamiya-ryu, etc.) and is therefore, the first in this article. Ko-chiburi involves snapping the blade directly to the right, often utilizing pressure from the little finger of the left hand for resistance. The kissaki (sword tip) should point at the downed opponent. Noto is executed per the specific school.

2. Tenshin-chiburi: Tenshin Style
As in ko-chiburi but executed from gedan gamae. Done right, the kissaki will make a small circle. Noto is performed by moving the kissaki directly to the koiguchi.

3. Yoko-chiburi Ichi: To the Side Number 1
This chiburi is similar to Ko-chiburi, except the blade is moved briskly to the right without pressure from the little finger of the left hand. Thus, no feeling of snapping the blade. Kissaki is positioned as before.

4. Yoko-chiburi NI: To the Side Number 2
This chiburi is commonly associated with branches of the Itto-ryu school and is also seen in the Keishicho-ryu. It involves moving the blade directly to the right from a standing posture with the kissaki pointing down. This is done smoothly with zanshin. Noto is done as in the Eishin-ryu.

5. Mugai-chiburi: As Seen in the Mugai-ryu Tradition
As in Yoko-chiburi Number 2 but with a short downward thrust executed before noto. This removes any large debris that may remain on the blade.

6. Ono-chiburi: From the Ono-ha Itto-ryu School
This chiburi is similar to Ko or Yoko-chiburi and is seen in the Ono-ha Itto-ryu school. The Ono-ha version begins with a upward clockwise rotation of the tsuka prior to snapping the blade to the right side. This is done using the right hand to rotate the tsuka in the left palm (similar to the movement seen in Sakurai-ha’s Hasso-chiburi below). Noto is a mixture of movements seen in both the Muso Shinden and Eishin schools. The blade is first drawn across the body horizontally, then brought to the vertical during the re-sheathing movement.

7. O-chiburi: Large (Grand) Chiburi
This particular chiburi has many different variations, under several names. For the purposes of this article, I’ve chosen to term this particular chiburi as follows: From the final cut, the blade is swung in a wide arch over the right shoulder. The right elbow is then folded up and the blade is snapped down, cutting kesagiri. This chiburi is often seen in the Zen Ken Ren Seitei Iai forms and is somewhat of a mixture of both the Eishin and Muso Shinden schools.

8. Omori-chiburi: Omori Style
The Omori-chiburi is often called the “Kasa”, or Wet Umbrella chiburi, and is commonly associated with the Omori school. In this version, the blade is swung to the right, over the right shoulder and then the elbow is folded up to the temple (as before) in a flowing manner. The blade is then snapped down across the body and to the right. The kissaki should point towards the fallen opponent. The difference between this chiburi and the previous chiburi is that the blade moves more in front of the body. This version is commonly associated with the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu execution of Omori-ryu waza.

9. Kasa-chiburi Ichi: Wet Umbrella Chiburi Number 1
The second version of “Kasa” is commonly associated with the Muso Shinden-ryu of Nakayama Hakudo. This version is similar to the Eishin-ryu version, but prior to swinging the sword to the right, the tsuka is rotated clockwise, 15-90 degrees in the right palm. Done correctly, this variation lessens the danger of cutting one’s own head during the movement.

10. Kasa-chiburi Ni: Wet umbrella Chiburi Number 2
This third version of “Kasa” is commonly associated with the Tenshin Shin’yo and Hokushin Shino (Shinoh) schools of iai. In this particular version, the sword is swung to the right as before, but the right elbow is extended to and almost locked position, so that the sword is extended as far from the body as possible and parallel to the ground. The right elbow is then folded up as before but done in a more deliberate, exagerated manner. The sword is finally snapped down to the oblique right, as if punching down with the right fist. Executed fast or slow, this chiburi has a definite “1-2-3” feeling.

11. Yanagi-chiburi: Willow Chiburi
This chiburi is similar to the previous three chiburi and associated with the Yanagi-ryu school. The chiburi consists of snapping the sword to the front from an overhead position with the left wrist adding power by rapping against the right as the sword stops. This is repeated (twice total) prior to positioning the blade to the right (as in Yoko-chiburi Ni) and actually wiping the ha (blade) with washi, prior to noto.

12. Hasso-chiburi: From Above the Shoulder
People often associate this chiburi with the Seitei Kata of the Kendo Federation. This particular chiburi can be seen in the kata “Kesagiri”. Simply put, the blade is snapped to the right side from hasso gamae, kissaki threatening forward.

13. Sakurai-chiburi: As seen in the Sakurai-ha Kaigenji Itto-ryu
This chiburi is related to O-chiburi/Kasa-chiburi but contains elements of Hasso-chiburi as well. It’s commonly associated with the Sakurai-ha branch of the Itto-ryu. It begins as in the Shin’yo/Hokushin version, but when over the right shoulder, the sword is snapped straight down instead of to the oblique right (again, as if punching), ending close to the right hip. This deposits any large debris in a small area to the right front of the kenshi.

14. Jodan-chiburi: From Over the Head
This chiburi is seen in many schools but should be familiar to anyone who has practiced the iai of the All Japan Kendo Federation. After the final cut, the sword is brought to jodan gamae and after a moment of zanshin, the sword is snapped down and to the right (this could easily be a cutting movement if need be) prior to noto. Interestingly, a similar chiburi is seen in the Hokushin Itto-ryu school, which could very well be the origin of the Kendo Federation version given the schools close connection to modern Kendo.

15. Chinagui-chiburi Ichi: Dripping Style Number 1
Often seen in various schools, this chiburi is most closely associated with the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu and Muso Shinden-ryu traditions. From the final cut, the blade is positioned at an angle with the kashira pointing to the left and the kissaki down to the right. The right hand is then repositioned on the tsuka in reverse fashion and the blade is re-sheathed. During this process, the blade can either be brought directly to the koiguchi (MSR & ZNKR) or twirled around counter clockwise prior to noto (MJER).

16. Chinagui-chiburi Ni: Dripping Chiburi Number 2
Seen in some variants of both MSR and MJER, this chiburi is similar to the previous one but executed more to the front and the blade is twirled around in a figure eight movement, first to the left, then right and finally back to meet the koiguchi for noto. Very flashy and grandiose.

17. Chinagui-chiburi San: Dripping Chiburi Number 3
As seen in the Nakamura-ryu. The sword is laid against the right thigh, then wiped clean by drawing the blade to the upper left prior to noto. This is done with the right hand only. The left hand moves to the koiguchi during the chiburi. Interestingly enough, this only cleans the right side of the blade. To clean the left, one could shift the right leg back and repeat the process on the left thigh, then shift the left leg back and execute noto as in Chinagui-chiburi, etc.

18. Kaiten-chiburi: Spinning Chiburi
Often seen in schools associated with the Shinto-ryu, this chiburi is difficult to execute without some practice. From the final cut (typically kirioroshi), the sword is spun counterclockwise 270 degrees in the left hand by the right. The handle is then stuck with the right fist. Noto is executed as in Chinagui-chiburi. Another very flashy chiburi.

19. Kashira Uchi-chiburi: Striking the Kashira
The origin of this chiburi is unknown. After the final cut, the sword is turned upside down to the front by repositioning the tsuka with the left hand in reverse fashion and removing the right hand. The right then strikes the top of the kashiri to remove any debris before re-griping the sword in reverse fashion. Noto is done as in Chinagui-chiburi.

20. Kata-chiburi: From the Shoulder
This particular chiburi is most closely associated with the Shindo Munen-ryu school and is very technical in nature. To do it correctly, it must be seen. From the final cut, the blade is placed on the left shoulder. The right hand then secures the habaki with the thumb and forefinger, while the left hand re-grips the tsuka in reverse fashion. The blade is then allowed to fall from the shoulder as the left hand moves to the koiguchi and the left leg is slid back. This movement is executed smoothly as one motion, flowing into noto. Kata-chiburi can also be performed without securing the habaki.

21. Hokushin-chiburi: As Seen in the Hokushin Itto-ryu Tradition
This chiburi is seen only in the Hokushin Itto-ryu school (to the author’s knowledge) and is highly complex and ritualistic. From the final cut, pull the sword back against the left side of the torso and immediately thrust the kissaki down to the right firmly. The sword is then swung up to jodan gamae and snapped down into gedan gamae, ending with the ha (blade edge) facing right. The kenshi then assumes jodan gamae once again and executes Jodan-chiburi with a slight forward shuffling movement. The sword is re-sheathed slowly in Eishin-ryu fashion. In place of jodan-chuburi, the blade can be visually inspected prior to noto. This is done by first inspecting the right side, then the left and finally the mune (back). Noto as before.

22. Sosushitsu-chiburi: From the Sosushitsu-ryu Tradition
Seen in the Sosushitsu-ryu, this chiburi is both dangerous for juniors and quite destructive to the blade if not cleaned properly following practice. After the final cut, the blade is brought directly to the front, then physically wiped clean with the thumb and forefinger. This movement is executed with the blade horizontal. Noto as in the Eishin-ryu.

23. Koryu-chiburi: Old School
A very practical form of blood removal, the blade is simply wiped clean with the left hakama vent before re-sheathing. Most likely very common during the Warring States period and with rural samurai.

24. Hiji-chiburi: With the Elbow
Hiji-chiburi is another practical but slightly more dangerous chiburi if not given full attention. After the final cut, the blade is wiped through the “V” created by the folded up left arm. As a side note, to lessen the risk of injury, the bicep muscle of left arm should not be flexed or tense during this movement.

25. Kiri-chiburi: Cutting Again
Often seen in the Shinkage-ryu and its derivatives (Yagyu Seigo-ryu, etc.), this chiburi utilizes a slow kirioroshi movement from jodan to cleanse to blade. Juniors or casual observers often mistake this chiburi for a poorly executed, weak follow-up cut. Ideally, there is a slight snap at the end of the movement to help remove any debris (During tsuka no nigiri, or the wringing motion of the handle). Noto as in the Eishin-ryu.

26. Todome-chiburi: Cu De Gras Style
This chiburi is as seen in Gyakuto of the Muso Shinden-ryu (there’s also a version in Tsukekomi of the Eishin-ryu). The movement is executed after a brisk, reinforced downward thrust into the fallen opponent. The sword is brought to the horizontal with the left hand close to the koiguchi and still holding the blade. The first 3-6 inches are then wiped clean with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand prior to noto. After executing this chiburi, the blade may be rested on the left thigh as the left hand positions the koiguchi for noto.

27. Hoki-chiburi: From the Hoki-ryu and Zen Ken Ren Seitei Iai Kata
Another unique but commonly seen chiburi, Hoki-chiburi is most closely associated with the Hoki-ryu and the “Soetezuki” kata of the Kendo Federation iai forms. After a reinforced thrust, the blade is moved diagonally to the front right by extending the right arm slowly (the left hand should not move during this). After a short pause, the blade is snapped to the right side as in Yoko-chiburi, prior to noto. Hoki-ryu has several other variations of this chiburi--too many to go into here.

28. Mu-chiburi: No Chiburi
This “chiburi” is in fact, no chiburi at all. Rather, it consists of a moment of zanshin prior to noto. I’ve seen it in several schools, including the Tennen Rishin-ryu, so I’ve decided to include it for the sake of documentation and as a fitting conclusion to this list and article.

*Disclaimer: Neither the author, nor the Kenjutsu International Instructors Association or any other parties connected to this website are held liable for any injury which may occur from the execution of the techniques contained within this article.