Martial Arts and Culture
Inner Dharma is a writing project concerned with traditional martial arts and culture. This site hosts reflections on my training in internal martial arts and classical weapons practices as well as my ongoing martial studies research. I want to thank all those who provided feedback and encouragement over the last twenty years.
Writing Projects
☰ Shinkage Heihō [神陰兵法]
Shinkage heihō [神陰兵法] refers to the broad grouping of swordsmanship deriving from or influenced by Kamiizumi Ise-no-kami Nobutsuna, including Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, Hikita Kage-ryū, several lines in Kyūshū as well as Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū, which had become widespread by the end of the Edo period of Japan.
☰ On Kenjutsu and Modernity
Examining swordsmanship preservation efforts in the late Edo period and afterwards. Survey of the Kōbusho, Gekken-Kōgyō, the Battōtai, Keishichō, Dai Nippon Butokukai, the Busen and later preservation societies.
☰ Shugendō | Daoism | Vajrayana
Essays on the history and philosophy of Daoism, esoteric Buddhism, Shugendō (修験道) and mountain asceticism, especially as they relate to martial culture from China and Japan.
☰ Shugyō [修行]
The original Inner Dharma blog. Content has been collated and preserves my writing through 2025 on martial arts and culture, along with periodic updates.
