The Gatotsu (
Description[]
The Gatotsu is Saitō's invention, created to maximize destructive power whilst minimizing the user's exposure to strikes. However, because the user runs straight ahead to perform a thrust with his arm, there is a small blind spot that exposes the side of his body opposite of where he holds his weapon. There are four variants of this move. It is also possible to utilize the Gatotsu with one's bare fists.
Variants[]
- Gatotsu Isshiki (
牙 突 壱 式 , "Fang Thrust Method One"): This is the standard, shoulder-level ground attack. The user prepares by dropping into a partial crouch, both knees bent, left arm drawn back and right arm extended forward; he grasps the end-cap part of his sword's grip (close to its pommel) with his left hand and rests the tips of the fingers of his right hand (usually the thumb) on the blade near the kisaki (blade's tip).- There is also an overhead version of Isshiki which Saitō called "the true form of the Gatotsu". It is a stronger and faster version of the Gatotsu since Saitō stated that he was no longer holding back when he used it on Kenshin.
- Gatotsu Ni Shiki (
牙 突 弐 式 , "Fang Thrust Method Two"): The user adopts a position similar to the one seen in Isshiki; however, his arms are positioned slightly differently, with the blade pointing diagonally down. The attack itself is not a lunge, but a jump followed by a downward thrust as the user is landing. Also, the direction of the Ni Shiki thrust is narrower than in Isshiki. - Gatotsu San Shiki (
牙 突 参 式 , "Fang Thrust Method Three"): The user adopts a position similar to the one seen in Isshiki; however, his arms are positioned slightly differently, with the blade pointing diagonally up. The attack itself is not a lunge, but a hop in conjunction with a thrust, mainly used as an anti-air. - Gatotsu Zero Shiki (
牙 突 零 式 , "Fang Thrust Zero Method"): This is considered the ultimate technique among the five variations of Gatotsu. A point-blank range Gatotsu that requires no prior preparation or footwork. Instead, the user tenses and utilizes all of the power in his upper body, bringing both arms backward and then thrusting with the one holding the katana to pierce anything in the sword's path. Saitō in particular has shown to be strong enough to pierce through thick solid materials, be it Usui's tinbe shield or Yatsume's arm. Because of the lack of footwork or stance preparation involved, this variation is suited to quick-explosive surprise attacks, especially in closer-quarters. - Gatotsu Shi Shiki (
牙 突 四 式 , "Fang Thrust Method Four"): The user holds their sword up against their chest, with the tip of the sword pointing towards their target and positions their right hand above the sword. The user then positions themselves in front of their target and perform a single quick and accurate thrust. The Shishiki is the weakest of the Gatotsu styles, that specializes in instantaneous attacks faster than required of the Zero Shiki version.
Known Practitioners[]
Trivia[]
- The Gatotsu can have a delayed effect when striking dense solid objects (Usui's Rochin Sphere, or Shishio's Hachigane in the OVA). The impact can take several minutes to register.
- In several other forms of fictional media, there are other various techniques sharing the same name of this technique, all performed in a similar way as a forward thrust. However, some of these other versions often involve a two-handed thrust rather than a single-handed one.
- As such in game series such as Way of the Samurai and the fictional Shinsengumi member Washizuka Kei'ichirou (based on the Kenshin-version of Saito and Kenshin himself) from The Last Blade, these instances also have their own variations of the Gatotsu (sometimes also named the same). Usage of such a sword-thrusting technique in itself is heavily based on the Tennen Rishin-Style of swordsmanship the Shinsengumi have used.
- There are also other media which feature a fictionalized version of Saitō Hajime often having a technique similar to the Gatotsu. In these cases however, the technique usually has a different name.
- The 2014 video game Ryū ga Gotoku: Ishin! (part of the Yakuza series) and its 2023 re-release Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! Kiwami (known as Like a Dragon: Ishin! in the West), features a Kazuma Kiryū-styled take on Sakamoto Ryōma as the protagonist, who joins the Shinsengumi under the fake identity of Saitō Hajime, effectively combining the two historical figures into a single character. He has a technique similar to Gatotsu, though he performs it right-handed.
- The 2024 video game Rise of the Rōnin is set during the Bakumatsu and features Saitō Hajime as a potential ally and potential enemy. He has a technique named Piercing Fang (which the player character can also learn) which is identical to Gatotsu.
Gallery[]
Saitō in the Isshiki stance for the Gatotsu.
Isshiki stance, overhead version.
Saitō using Gatotsu Zeroshiki against Usui.