Toyama Ryu Gunto Soho
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable Alignments. Minimum attributes include: I.Q.: 9, P.P.: 10, and Spd.: 8.
Skill Cost: 11 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

This Japanese martial art was originally created as a small sub-system of sword drawing techniques created as part of the Rikugun Toyama Gakko (Toyama Military Academy) in 1925 for Japanese Imperial Army officers. The gunto soho (military sword methodology) was created and standardized to address concerns that officers would not be able to draw and effectively use their sword (gunto) in hostile combat environments. After World War Ii, three instructors, Nakamura Taizaburo, Morinaga Kiyoshi, and Yamaguchi Yuuki, began teaching Toyama Ryu to the public, however they soon drifted apart in their teachings. An attempt was made to reunite and standardize the teachings, yet this attempt ultimately failed. In 1977, after this failed attempt, Nakamura decided to change his version of the style into Toyama Ryu Iaido to hand down improved techniques in sword fighting and sword drawing.

Three main areas of training are currently conducted in Toyama Ryu; Battodo/Iaido, Battojutsu, and Gunto Soho. Techniques include ashisabaki (footwork), kensabaki (sword movement), taisabaki (body movement), and zengo-sayu (front, back, and side movement), employed smoothly to create speed and strength in movement. Accurate, rapid and powerful use of the sword combined with strong kiai is emphasised in training. Sparring and kata were introduced by Nakamura to help develop the application of techniques. Suwariwaza (kneeling techniques) have been deleted from the curriculum because there is no historical tradition of seated or kneeling katana drawing techniques.

Costume: Not standardized: Although most swordsmen wear the traditional Japanese training wear of hakama and keikogi (or uwagi), anything can be worn: sweat suits, jeans, karate/judo gi, or slacks. The Japanese Self Defense Force white physical training uniform and even the older, white Imperial Japanese Army uniform (looks like a chef's uniform with nehru collar, and has been in constant use since at least the 1920s. It may have evolved from the European cavalry fatigue duty uniform worn while cleaning out stables; a three-inch wide "stable belt" is also worn. ) are occasionally worn.
Stance: Chudan no kamae. Middle guard stance. It is the most basic posture because from it unlimited variation of attack and defense are possible in response to anything the enemy may do. It can be used in any situation or terrain. The right foot is advanced half a step with the left heel raised slightly and the weight on the balls of both feet. The body is held erect, facing squarely forward with the head held straight and looking into the opponent's eyes. The sword is held pointing at the opponent's eyes. The left hand is held about four inches from the center of the body. The hands and shoulders are relaxed.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +1D4 to Spd.
Add +1D8 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll With Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Combination Parry/Attack, Multiple Dodge, Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Punch (human fist).
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Kick Attack, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Combination Grab/Slash, Death Strike (New!), Hilt Strike (New!), Leap Attack.
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Gunto (Large Sword), W.P. Iaito (Blunt).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Automatically receives Battojutsu. Select at total of ONE (1) Martial Art Power from among Martial Art Techniques and Special Kata. Except for Battojutsu, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Gunto (Large Sword), W.P. Iaito (Blunt).
Philosophical Training: No established philosophy, though instructors stress emulating the original spirit of training in how the art was taught to students at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, where accurate, powerful an rapid deployment of the sword combined with strongly expressed kiai was taught.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Aiki-Buken (5 Years), Kendo (3 Years), Shinkendo (5 Years), TanKendo (3 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
2nd: +1 to Leap (add four feet of distance), Critical Strike from Behind.
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee.
4th: Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
5th:+1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
6th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
7th: +1 Attack per Melee.
8th: +1 to Leap (add four feet of distance).
9th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
10th: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Strike.
11th: Add one die of damage to W.P. Gunto.
12th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
13th: Death Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
14th: +1 Attack per Melee.
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
Why Study Toyama Ryu Gunto Soho?
The sword techniques which made their name in World War II.