Zanjutsu Expansion Project

» Name Of Character: N/A
» Link To Character: N/A

» Upgrading:

Furikodō (振り子道, "Way of the Pendulum"): The most basic of stances and forms in Zanjutsu, taking large inspiration from Kendo, so much so that the stance is one-for-one from chudan. The legs are slightly spread out, with the left foot being slightly behind the right, the left heel slightly raised. The hips are straight forward, shoulders are relaxed, and both hands grip the sword with the blade tilted downward slightly, held in front of them. As reflective of the name, the stance is meant to balance offense and defense, allowing for the user to use simple, fluid movements that seek to push an opponent off-balance and break their posture, while being able to readjust and break away, should they need to switch to defense.

Shuradō (修羅道, "Way of Carnage"): A favored style of those in the Combat Division, as the name suggests, this style tends to forgo any direct defense in exchange for immense pressure. Taking after the jodan stance in Kendo, noted as the most aggressive style, the user holds their weapon above their head with the tip pointed backward and the blade facing upward. The left foot is set in front of the right, with the back arched slightly forward, allowing for quick movements to generate forward momentum. Strikes with this stance either have tremendous power, like Ryodan and Suikawari, or a rapid flurry of blows like Senmaioroshi to break an opponent's guard and weaken their posture, with defensive movements mostly being brief pivots to dodge and avoid, rather than block or deflect. The essence of this style revolves around constant movement and relentless attack.

Teppekidō (鉄壁道, "Way of the Iron Gate"): A defensive style modeled after Taijiquan, the Way of the Iron Gate revolves around staying rooted in one place and holding one's ground. The stance itself is simple, with the sword held in front and the blade tilted down slightly and causing it to point at the waist. One's feet are slightly spread out, with the right foot placed a half-step back. Many of the movements of this style involve redirection and deflection, using their footwork to adjust and match their opponent's weight and pressure, using pivots to redirect the momentum and energy of the opponent away from yourself, while also remaining in place. It is hardly a style about retaliation, and is more centered around buying time, defending one's self, and wearing an enemy out through their own assault.

Kyogidō (虚偽道, "Way of Falsehood"): A style favored by the Stealth Force, this form isn't modeled after any direct style of fighting, instead creating one all it's own. The practitioner leaves themselves in an open stance, with the sword held at the side in one hand, with a foot set in front of the other, and the back foot lifted slightly. Similar to another style, it focuses on avoidance and deception, giving an enemy a false impression in order to counter. Many of the movements involve sidestepping and occasional deflection, with the attacks being simple, like the base, focusing on dirty, unorthodox slashes and jabs to counter and take advantage of an enemy's openness.

Mamōdō (摩耗道, "Way of Abrasion"): A style based around attrition, it takes after the Way of Falsehood, leaving the stance open. Rather than making counters using unorthodox slashes and jabs, this style focuses on avoidance rather than outright attack. Cuts and slashes made are usually shallow, meant to wear an enemy out, in essence, death by a thousand cuts. Techniques such as Hozuri are a primary example, performing simple, yet precise movements to eventually defeat an enemy. It is a style that is always on the move, closing the gap, creating space, all the while weathering the opponent down with deceptively simple practices.

Kaishidō (開始道, "Way of Commencement"): A style favored by some nobles, Kaishido is elegant, yet disciplined, simple, and decisive. Inspired by the Living World's iaido, this style focuses on drawing speed. The base stance consists of being crouched slightly, the body twisted to make it quicker and more comfortable to draw the sword using the four primary movements from iaido: draw the sword, strike the opponent, shake the blood from the blade, and sheath the sword, and repeating. Examples of this are the techniques Onibi and Agitowari, utilizing an extraordinary quick thrust or cut to deal a large amount of damage at once, Despite the simplicity, it is a style that still requires a fair amount of discipline and practice to achieve a consistent smooth flow.

Way of the Pendulum is a core elective in Shin'o, whereas all the others are electives and optional.

» Why: As I've stated in Discord about this project, this is meant to expand on the concept of Zanjutsu as a martial art. I wanted to give more flavor to Zanjutsu and make it more than just "Shinigami do sword." This can also give players more flair and flavor to when combat is written and when the martial art is written in apps, as they can give more specifics other than just "sword good" or "sword bad".

» Extra: Pointy end goes in the other man.