Neju Koyu
Neju Koyu is a fighting style developed around the concept of hard and soft, having an emphasis on both open hand and lightly armed techniques of karate and Martial Arts used predominantly by Nekovalkyrja. It makes use of gravity manipulation in its drills and kata. Strong, underlying themes include a focus on breathing techniques, which are taught through many of the kata, and the philosophy of cultivating intellect before strength.
About
Neju Koyu is a fighting style developed around the concept of hard and soft, having an emphasis on both open hand and lightly armed techniques of karate and Martial Arts used predominantly by Nekovalkyrja. It was created while taking into account body strengthening, kata, practical fighting techniques, and partner drills as a means for education. Neko such as Yuu Sakaki and Rei have trained in it, as well as others.
History
Needing a system of fighting based around what was on hand during the Battle of Yamatai in late YE 33, farmers of Hoshi no Iori turned not only to the troops deployed to help them but also to their own tools and abilities, and created their own budō. Though mostly wiped out, the style remained even after the land was razed and the few practitioners that had fought their way out of the war helped its prosperous growth.
It was passed on from those surviving practitioners, and new Neju Koyu dojo began to pop up on Yamatai (Planet) after the war. Neju Koyu gained more popularity as a style in YE 36.
Kata
A kata practices attack and defense in a prearranged dance-like pattern. A kata, when performed, helps the martial artist practice constant attack and defense while establishing a rhythm and flow to the techniques used, emphasizing breathing control and maintaining calm under pressure. They may also be arranged into a two person or more fighting drill.
Neju Koyu has five core kata in its standard curriculum:
Kōgeki dai ichi: Meaning “First fight”, this is the standard beginner kata taught to white belts, and competent performance of this kata is mandatory before continuing past the introductory level. It focuses on blocking several assailants while at the same time utilizing appropriate strikes, such as elbow strikes and knife hand techniques, as counter attacks. It also makes use of a Neko's ability to manipulate gravity and perform gymnastic feats.
Kōgeki dai ni: Meaning “Second fight”, this is the second kata to be learned and predominantly features more advanced techniques including hourglass, cat, and horse stance and is very similar to kōgeki dai ichi in its use of gravity manipulation and gymnastics.
Kurutta Neko: Meaning “Crazed Neko”, this kata can be seen as the grabbing, pulling, and smashing of opponents in close quarter combat, making use of pivots and kicks as well as cat stance, blocks, punches, and the like, also making considerable use of gravity manipulation.
Odayakana Neko: Meaning “Calm Neko”, this kata focuses more heavily on breathing techniques, and is sometimes taught before Kurrata Neko on a case by case basis. By pulling back open hands towards either side of the sternum while breathing in deeply, then releasing a series of sharp exhales, the practitioner can build up energy to be released in explosive attacks.
Chitekina Neko: Meaning “Wise Neko”, this focuses on all of the Neko kata techniques as well as employing those of Kogeko dai ichi and ni, with a large emphasis on gravity manipulation.
Stances
Musubi Dachi (ready stance): Heels together, feet at 45º angles, forming a V, with hands at the sides.
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance): One leg is forward and bent at the knee with the knee of the rear leg locked and extended two shoulder widths apart from the lead foot with torso erect.
Han zenkutsu dachi (half front stance): Much like zenkutsu dachi but the legs are only one shoulder width apart.
Sanchin dachi (tension stance): Feet shoulder width apart, knees tensed and pulled inward while toes are pointed slightly inward.
Neko ashi dachi (cat stance): Crouching slightly with a straight torso this stance has the rear knee bent with the foot flat against the ground while only a small amount of body weight is rested on the front leg, which is about one shoulder width away from the rear leg. The toes of the front foot are facing forward with the heel raised.
Kiba dachi (horse stance): Feet are roughly two shoulder widths apart while the knees are bent at 90º angles.
Sagiashi dachi (one-legged or crane stance): In this stance, one leg is raised and tucked behind the knee of the supporting leg, which is bent at the knee and turned outward.
Kobudō
Neju Koyu employs kobudō, the application of items that were common and close at hand at the time of its creation, to be used as improvised weapons. Examples include the Bo, a long staff that is sometimes tapered at both ends and predominantly made out of oak; nunchaku, which are two sections of wood or metal connected by a rope or chains; the kama, known for its sickle shape and design; and the tambo, which is a short staff traditionally used in pairs.
OOC Notes