I feel the need to write. either blog or something else, so i went for blog. i guess it's thought-emptying day.

First up, a paper on some Hiten Mitsurugi techniques.

Ryu Tsui Sen, aka. long2 chui2 shan3 (Hammering Dragon Flash?)
Your basic air->ground maneuver. Well, not so basic. It is a part of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu (Henceforth referred to as the HMR) after all. It involves gaining great height and descending HARD on you enemy's head/shoulder. This is Kenshin's personal favourite move. *can anyone translate this?*

There's a variation which involves a downward stab, ie sword perpendicular to floor, instead of the usual slash, which has the sword almost parallel to the ground.

Ryu Kan Sen, aka. long2 juan3 shan3 (Twisting Dragon Flash?)
After evading an attack, you and your enemy often end up back-to-back, facing different directions. This attack brings your sword down on your enemy's neck from that position.

Variation: You run towards the attack, dodge it by ducking or going out of its reach, then bring your blade down on the neck.

Ryu Sou Sen, aka. long2 chao2 shan3
A downgraded Kuzu Ryu Sen. This hits any of the nine vital points (head, right shoulder, left shoulder, chest, right arm, left arm, groin, right leg and left leg) at random and at high speeds.

Variation: This hits only one point, but at higher speed.

Ryu Shou Sen, aka. long2 xiang2 shan3 (Flying Dragon Flash)
Your basic ground->air attack. Sword is held in both hands, parallel to the ground. You jump up and impact the incoming attack. This is also used right after the Ryu Tsui Sen when necessary.

Sou Ryu Sen, aka. shuang1 long2 shan3 (Twin Dragon Flash)
A battoujutsu is followed up by the movement of the saya (sheath), preventing any "open spots" for enemies to attack.

Variation: The saya is used first as a distraction.

Do Ryu Sen, aka. tu3 long2 shan3 (Ground Dragon Flash)
The sword is swung at high speed above the ground. The force causes dirt and rock to "shoot" forward, effectively making this a ranged attack.

Kuzu Ryu Sen, aka. jiu3 tou2 long2 shan3 (Nine-Headed Dragon Flash)
This strikes all nine vital points (mentioned above) simultaneously. There are only 2 known ways of defense: the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, or the speed of the Shukuchi. Only Tenken no Soujiro has done the latter. Incidentally, this is Hiko-sama's favourite move. To quote him, "Every defensive stance is meant to defend one of the vital points. With the speed of the HMR, no defense is too strong for the Kuzu Ryu Sen."

Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, aka. tian1 xiang2 long2 shan3 (Heaven-Ascending Dragon Flash)
The ougi, or final technique of the HMR. Involves doing a battoujutsu at high speeds, leading with your left leg. You must have absolutely no fear of death to pull this off. If the first strike is evaded, the speed creates a vacuum, which keeps the opponent immobilized. To quote Hiko-sama again, "The Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki is like a dragon (which is the background you see here), devastating its opponents with its razor-sharp claws. Should it be deflected, the wind of its passage renders the opponent helpless, unable to move."

This ougi also helps to determine the new Hiko Seijuro. If a HMR pupil is able to use this to counter his master's Kuzu Ryu Sen, he inherits the mantle and identity of Hiko Seijuro. This move is so powerful that either one must die, the master or the pupil. *This is not true for Kenshin and the present Hiko-sama.*


Now, physics.