Kama-Jutsu Kumite

鎌術組手

Kama-Jutsu (or 鎌術 in Japanese) includes the fighting techniques ( 術 Jutsu ) with a sickle or mini scythe ( 鎌 Kama ) in each hand, according to Ryukyu Kobujutsu. Next, Kumite (or 組手 in Japanese) – literally ’grappling hands’ – means practicing with an opponent.

Ippon-Kumite Renzoku-Kumite Sogo-Kumite

Ippon-Kumite

Hiraki-Uke (Ai-Kamae) [Seme: Jodan-Uchi]
Morote-Hiki-Kuzushi (Ai-Kamae) [Seme: Yoko-Uchi Jodan]
Naname-Uke (Hantai-Kamae) [Seme: Jodan-Uchi]
Ippon-Dachi Gedan-Uke (Ai-Kamae) [Seme: Maede-Tsuki Chudan]
Gyaku-Gedan-Uke (Ai-Kamae) [Seme: Maede-Tsuki Chudan]
Gyaku-Gedan-Uke (Hantai-Kamae) [Seme: Maede-Tsuki Chudan]
Uchi-Uke Gyakute-Mochi (Ai-Kamae) [Seme: Maede-Tsuki Chudan]
Uchi-Uke Gyakute-Mochi (Hantai-Kamae) [Seme: Maede-Tsuki Chudan]
Soto-Mawari-Uke (Ai-Kamae) [Seme: Jodan-Uchi]
Nagashi-Jodan-Uke (Ai-Kamae) [Seme: Jodan-Uchi]

Renzoku-Kumite | 連続組手

Renzoku (or 連続 in Japanese) means ‘continuous’, and Kumite (or 組手 in Japanese) can loosely be translated as ‘fighting’. Combined, Renzoku-Kumite is a continuous drill of blocks and attacks with a sparring partner. The purpose of this form of exercise is to develop confidence, timing, and distancing with an opponent. This is for reaching greater progress in training and technical control. In the video embedded below (recorded on 26 August 2024), budoka Johan Oldenkamp performs the basic continuous drill sequence for the Kama. This sequence combines the following Ippon-Kumite: 1, 4, 6, 2, 7, 8, and 10.

Step	Seme	Uke
1	Jodan-Uchi	Hiraki-Uke + Jodan-Uchi
2	Sagaru-Kae-Ashi + Maede-Tsuki Chudan	Ippon-Dachi Gedan-Uke + Jodan-Kamae
3	Maede-Tsuki Chudan	Gyaku-Gedan-Uke + Makiotoshi + Morote-Uchi-Yoko-Uchi
4	Jodan-Uchi	Hiraki-Uke + Nakae-Uke
5	Sagaru-Kae-Ashi + Maede-Tsuki Chudan	Gyaku-Gedan-Uke (Gyakute-Mochi) + Soto-Yoko-Uchi
6	Sagaru-Kae-Ashi + Yoko-Uchi (Yoko-Men)	Uchi-Uke Jodan (Gyakute-Mochi) + Makiotoshi + Furiage-Uchi + Uchi-Yoko-Uchi + Uchi-Yoko-Uchi
7	Jodan-Uchi	Nagashi-Uke + Oi-Tsuki (Tokushu-Mochi)

Sogo-Kumite | 綜合組手

‘Sogo’ (or 綜合 in Japanese; sōgō) means ‘composite’, ‘synthesis’, ‘integration’, or ‘putting together’. It has become customed to translate these forms of Kumite as ‘comprehensive’. In the video embedded below (recorded on 10 February 2025), budoka Johan Oldenkamp performs the five comprehensive fighting sequences for the Kama:

Kumite № 1

Jodan-Kamae	Ai-Gedan-Kamae
Jodan-Uchi	Hiraki-Uke & Jodan-Uchi

Kumite № 2

Jodan-Kamae	Ai-Gedan-Kamae
Jodan-Uchi	Morote-Hiki-Kuzushi
Sagaru-Kae-Ashi + Maede-Tsuki Chudan	Ippon-Dachi Gedan-Uke + Jodan-Uchi
Sagaru-Kae-Ashi + Jodan-Uchi	Soto-Mawari-Uke & Jodan-Uchi

Kumite № 3

Jodan-Kamae	Hantai-Gedan-Kamae
Jodan-Uchi	Naname-Uke + Kurite + Jodan Uchi

Kumite № 4

Chudan-Kamae	Hantai-Gedan-Kamae
Maede-Tsuki Chudan	Gyaku-Gedan-Uke + Makiotoschi + Morote-Uchi-Yoko-Uchi
Sagaru-Kae-Ashi + Jodan-Uchi	Hiraki-Uke + Jodan-Uch
Sagaru-Kae-Ashi + Maede-Tsuki Chudan	Ippon-Dachi Gedan-Uke + Jodan-Uchi

Kumite № 5

Chudan-Kamae	Hantai-Gedan-Kamae
Maede-Tsuki Chudan	Gyaku-Gedan-Uke + Makiotoschi + Morote-Uchi-Yoko-Uchi