兵法

I trained in the art of Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū at the Hōbyōkan before moving to Seattle in 2016. I then worked with a small number of people in order to maintain my practice. This activity centered around the performance of traditional kata as informed by my understanding of internal martial arts principles, the analysis of kata in a process called kuzushi, and combative pressure testing called tameshi-ai. Jiki at Lonin is a practice now led by my two senior students, Jake Harlin and Nicky Sayah Sina.

Kagami Biraki at Lonin 2025

Kagami Biraki 2024

Kagami Biraki 2023

Keiko at Seattle Budokan

Reference Material

There are several surviving lines of Jikishinkage-ryū in Japan — for those interested, I have collected a list of video clips. Some books and articles I recommend can be found below:

  1. Amdur, E., 2015. Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions – Expanded Edition (2nd Edition). Freelance Academy Press.
  2. Amdur, E., 2018. Hidden in Plain Sight: Esoteric Power Training within Japanese Martial Traditions (2nd Edition). Freelance Academy Press.
  3. E. Amdur, 2020. Taryu Shiai and Other Oppositional Matches within Japanese martial traditions. Kogen Budo.
  4. Friday, K.F. and Seki, F., 1997. Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture. University of Hawaii Press.
  5. Hall, D.A., 2012. Encyclopedia of Japanese martial arts. Kodansha USA.
  6. Hall, D.A., 2013. The Buddhist goddess Marishiten: a study of the evolution and impact of her cult on the Japanese warrior. Global Oriental.
  7. Iwasa, M., 2005. Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu. The Origin of Samurai Swordsmanship from Kashima Shrine. Samurai-Bushido Society.
  8. Ishigaki, Y., 1992. Kashima Shinden Jiki Shinkage-ryū Gokui Denkai 鹿島神伝直心影流極意伝開. Shinjusha.
  9. 小笠原源信斎『真之心陰兵法目録』寛文 10 年, 真之心陰兵法免状』寛文 13 年，小田原市立図書館蔵
  10. Jikishinkage-ryu 請求記号. Waseda University Library.
  11. Karukome Y., Sakai T., 2015. An analysis of the formation of Jikishinkage-ryū in relation to its lineage and transmission. 武道学研究 47―3: 119―138 原著.
  12. Knutsen, R., 2004. Rediscovering budo: From a swordsman's perspective. Global Oriental.
  13. Knutsen, R., 2011. Tengu: The Shamanic and Esoteric Origins of the Japanese Martial Arts, Brill.
  14. Krastev, G., Allera, A. and Takahiro Y. 2023. Unravelling the Cords: The Instructions of a Master in the Tradition of Taisha-ryū. Purple Cloud Books.
  15. Ohgami, S. and Threadgill, T., 2020. Shindo Yoshin Ryu: History and Technique. Shinyokai.
  16. Shinto-ryu Tachi Nanae-no-kojo 国会図書館蔵新当流伝書（写）. National Diet Library of Japan.
  17. Togoku, K. (東国剣記), 2022. Seven Essential Articles.
  18. Yamada, J., 1927. Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū 鹿島神傳直心影流. Suishinsha.