Wato (Rurouni Kenshin)
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The Wato is the weapon of Yukishiro Enishi, the final antagonist of the Rurouni Kenshin Series. . The Wato is a combination of a Japanese and a Chinese sword and is also over 30 inches long. Taking the hilt of the chinese sword and the blade of a katana, the Wato is a very versatile weapon with an even more versatile sword style. The Wato is also referred as a Tachi.
[edit] Watojutsu
Enishi's sword style is Watōjutsu, a style composed of Chinese techniques used in conjunction with the Tachi . Enishi taught himself Watōjutsu from a manual that he found while in Shanghai. Watōjutsu includes techniques that perfectly counter those of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū, but within the context of the story this is coincidental.
Shūgeki Tō Sei(蹴击刀势）: Enishi kicks the flat or blunt side of the blade to increase the speed and force of the strike.
Kaishi Tō Sei（回刺刀势）: Enishi blocks his opponent's attack with the hilt of his tachi and spins around the opponent's weapon, stabbing his opponent. This technique very similar to Kenshin's Ryūkansen.
Shōha Tō Sei（掌破刀势）: Same as Shūgeki Tō Sei only Enishi use his palm instead of his leg to increase the speed and force of the strike.
Chōten Tōsei（朝天刀势）: Enishi impales the tachi into the earth, then steps on it, using it as a stepping stone to jump into the air. He then retrieves his tachi by pulling on the tassel attached to the hilt. This is followed by a upward slash at the overhead enemy. This is a ground-to-air attack.
Gōtsui Tōsei（轰堕刀势）: This is one of the most brutal moves that Enishi uses against Kenshin. Using the tachi to stab the opponent, Enishi lifts him up and slams him into the ground. To do this, the sword and the arm must have enough power and durability to support the opponent's weight.
Shikkū Tō Sei（疾空刀势）: One of Enishi's most impressive moves. First, Enishi jumps, holding Tachi at the perfect position(generally behind his back). When he at his maximum height, Enishi steps on his Tachi to increase the height and follows with a powerful arc slash to attack the opponent. This attack seems to give the impression that Enishi is walking on the air. Note that this is the move that makes Enishi seem far more superior in air-to-air combat with Kenshin
Sen Ran Tō Sei（战岚刀势）: An attack in which Enishi ducks like a tiger and slashes upwards by spinning around. At first, Enishi will step into a stance similar to Kofuku Zettō Sei （i.e ducking with left leg bend inward and the right leg extended outward） by holding the extended Tachi at diagonal position, then he will initiate his attack by spinning around to gain the momentum of his attack. Afterwards he will spin himself towards his enemy, creating a spin attack with a force like a tornado. This technique has successfully counter most of the Kenshin's ground techniques, leaving Kenshin completely without any time to execute them.
Kofuku Zettō Sei（虎伏绝刀势）: His Zetsugi (ultimate attack). Enishi holds the tachi with the hilt facing down and the blade parallel to the back of his arm and ducks like he does in the Sen Ran Tō Sei. He then raises and brings up his tachi, slashing the opponent's chest. Note that this is the technique that Enishi use to counter the Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. This is due to the first stance of this technique is ducking, Enishi was able to dodge the first attack. While at the second attack, Enishi lend the vacuum force cause by the first strike and quickly slash Kenshin's chest. In order to achieve this the timing must be correct or else Enishi will be defeated. This explained why Enishi has beaten although he use the same technique. Thus, this is the only move in all of the series that could defeat Kenshin's ougi
In addition to his Watōjutsu, Enishi possesses an odd ability that he calls the Nerves of Insanity (Frenzied Nerves (狂筋脉）in the Viz translation), in which his nerves protrude out all over his body, causing him to become super sensitive to everything around him. In this state, Enishi's senses, speed, and reaction time are dramatically increased, enabling him to immediately react to attacks right when they're performed. This ability developed as a result of a continually active brain state, even when sleeping, born from Enishi's hatred and revenge for Tomoe's death. However, it's also a double-edged sword that lowers his defensive capabilities and thus it can be used against him (such as Kenshin using a technique to damage Enishi's ears, the ryumeisen). He is also the only person to ever fully block a Kuzu Ryuusen (he also could keep Kenshin from getting off even the first blow).
