Gassankan Kenpō

Lineage

Moon Mountain Hall (月山館) is read as Gassankan in Japanese. It is an independent training activity concerned with maintaining a practice of Japanese swordsmanship as informed by internal martial arts principles.

I studied several approaches to classical Japanese swordsmanship before moving to Seattle in 2016. Chief among them was an unofficial line of Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū maintained at the Hōbyōkan following the teachings of Namiki Yasushi and Itō Masayuki.

What We Practice

Since moving to Seattle I have continued traditional katageiko (kata practice), which includes methods of walking, cutting, breathing and foundational methods called hōjō that consist of paired partner practices introducing five element theory (gogyō) and the concept of yin and yang (inyō) in Japanese swordsmanship.

Once proficiency is developed with foundations, an austere set of tactical forms called to-no-kata are introduced. We then conduct analysis of kata in a process called kuzushi to develop an intuitive mindset as to how these kata can be applied. Finally, we conduct combative pressure testing called tameshi-ai to gain unscripted feedback.

Our practice is mostly concerned with the use of the traditional Japanese long sword (tachi). The use of the small sword called kodachi is also explored and serves as a point of departure for armored grappling methods.

Where To Train

Tōsha Dōjō is an introductory Jikishinkage-ryū study group in Seattle led by two gentlemen I mentor. Their practice is open to new students after an observation period and traditional interview process.