Koryū Kenjutsu

The word koryū when relating to Japanese martial arts denotes traditions (ryū) that were founded before the Meiji Restoration (1868), which was a period in which the samurai class declined and Japan underwent a radical and sustained period of Westernization. Traditions founded before 1868 generally have more of a focus on armed combative engagements, be they military or civilian in nature, than more modern Japanese martial arts and sports such as Judō or Kendō. Kendō is derived from classical Japanese swordsmanship, but has been altered over time due to its sportive nature. Other modern sword practices, such as Aiki-ken, are influenced by ideas from classical swordsmanship, but tend to have less rigour and pedagogy associated to them than classical styles. They are often adjuncts to a core empty-hand practice, as opposed to practices in of themselves.

It is impossible to re-invent classical methods of combat, as the situations and environments that lead to their creation no longer exist. Classical arts are so carefully taught, in such small numbers, due to the time and care required to preserve their founders' core inspirations, which inform their practice, as today we are cut off from ever experiencing medeival battlefields.

Different koryū would have unique specialities, such as grappling in armor, field archery, swimming, swordsmanship, unarmored grappling, and stick fighting to name but a few. Ryū founded before 1868 were taught and practiced by individuals who actually had the opportunity to use those skills in a combative environment. In the case of ryū founded before the 17th century, in large scale warfare, and in ryū founded in the 17th to 19th centuries, in skirmishes or duels.

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to practice the arts of two koryū centered around the use of the sword, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Tenshinshō-den Katori Shintō-ryū The Tenshinshō-den Katori Shintō-ryū was founded by Iizasa Chōi-sai Ienao in the mid-to-late 15th century and is associated with the Katori Shrine. At the age of 60, Chōi-sai spent 1000 days in Katori Shrine practising martial techniques day and night, until the kami of the shrine, Futsunushi no Mikoto, appeared to him in a dream and handed down the secrets of martial strategy in a scroll named Mokuroku Heiho no Shinsho. Katori Shintō-ryū contains many arts within its curriculum. Under the auspices of the Sugawara Budo Institute, I have been fortunate to learn several types of kata of Katori Shintō-ryū. I have learned elements of: iai (sword drawing), tachi (long sword), rokushakubō (six foot staff), naginata (glaive), kodachi (short sword), ryotō (paired sword), and yari (spear). Kata practice in the introductory sets of Katori Shintō-ryū involves long series of engagements designed to develop endurance in its practitioners. Katori Shintō-ryū practice can be characterized by an emphasis on posture, agility, and efficient movement. As a result, Katori practice is often viewed as developing great precision and speed in the use of the sword amongst its senior practitioners. I began training underneath students of Sugawara Tetsutaka, kiyoshi, in 2006. I currently practice under the guidance of two of Sugawara-sensei's students: Eric Zmarzly and France Hoang at the Katori DC group located in Silver Spring, MD. I have been awarded the license of mokuroku within the Sugawara Budo organization, which significies having been taught a certain portion of the curriculum of Katori Shintō-ryū kata maintained within their line of practice. I have had the good fortune of being able to train in Machida, Japan, and hope to visit Sugawara-sensei's dojo again in the future.

Kashima-shinden Jiki Shinkage-ryū Kashima-shinden Jiki Shinkage-ryū dates from the 16th century, descends from styles of swordsmanship practiced in the area surrounding the Kashima shrine, and was founded by Matsumoto Bizen-no-Kami, a student likely of the Kage-ryū of Aizu Iko and the Shinkage-ryū of Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami Nobutsuna. Jiki Shinkage-ryū as taught today preserves methods of use of tachi (sword) and kodachi (short sword). Jiki Shinkage-ryū looks different from many other koryū, including surviving lines of Shinkage-ryū. Jiki Shinkage-ryū practice can be characterized by an emphasis on posture, body alignment, and the development of a dominating spirit and powerful cutting ability. Jiki Shinkage-ryū places a heavy emphasis on kiai (coordinating energy) and kokyū (breathing) in its practice. Its foundational practice, called Hōjō no kata, is similar in some respects to Shaolin-derived neigong practices one sees transmitted as part of some forms of Okinawan karatedō. This is likely due to the extended time the 4th headmaster, Ogasawara Genshinsai Minamoto no Nagaharu, spent in China after the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. By the 19th century, the practice of Jiki Shinkage-ryū was widespread throughout Tokyo. Its 14th headmaster, Sakakibara Kenkichi, had the presitigous role of being the personal bodyguard of the Shogun. Jiki Shinkage-ryū was also one of the sword arts practiced by Takeda Sokaku, founder of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jujutsu. Today, there are several lines of Jiki Shinkage-ryū. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to practice Kashima-shinden Jiki Shinkage-ryū kenjutsu as taught by Dr. David Hall, student of the late Namiki Yasushi, at the Hobyōkan. I have been practicing Jiki Shinkage-ryū kenjutsu since 2008.