兵法

I trained in the art of Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū (鹿島神傳 直心影流) at the 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 pressure testing called tameshi-ai.

Resources

Where To Train

There are several surviving lines of Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu in Japan; I recommend interested parties seek them out.

In the United States, the Hōbyōkan maintains a practice of Jikishinkage-ryū as taught to Dr. David Hall by Namiki Yasushi and Ito Masayuki. Dr. Hall has several senior students active in the art:

  • Chris Covington and Brian Wagner in Baltimore, MD also train in Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu.
  • David Sims in Durham, NC is also licensed by the Naganuma branch of Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū.

Also, Tōsha Dōjō ( 闘者道場 ) is an introductory practice led by two gentlemen I have mentored in Seattle, which meets as part of a HEMA cooperative called Lonin League.

Bibliography

Below are some books I recommend on classical and traditional Japanese martial arts;

  1. Hall, D.A., 2012. Encyclopedia of Japanese martial arts. Kodansha USA.
  2. Hall, D.A., 2013. The Buddhist goddess Marishiten: a study of the evolution and impact of her cult on the Japanese warrior. Global Oriental.
  3. Iwasa, M., 2005. Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu. The Origin of Samurai Swordsmanship from Kashima Shrine. Samurai-Bushido Society.
  4. Yamada, J., 1927. Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū 鹿島神傳直心影流. Suishinsha.
  5. Amdur, E., 2015. Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions--Expanded Edition (2nd Edition). Freelance Academy Press.
  6. Amdur, E., 2018. Hidden in Plain Sight: Esoteric Power Training within Japanese Martial Traditions (2nd Edition). Freelance Academy Press.
  7. Friday, K.F. and Seki, F., 1997. Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture. University of Hawaii Press.
  8. Knutsen, R., 2004. Rediscovering budo: From a swordsman's perspective. Global Oriental.
  9. Knutsen, R., 2011. Tengu: The Shamanic and Esoteric Origins of the Japanese Martial Arts, Brill.
  10. 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.
  11. Ohgami, S. and Threadgill, T., 2020. Shindo Yoshin Ryu: History and Technique.