劍法

I studied several approaches to kenjutsu before moving to Seattle. Over time, my primary influence has become the Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu derived from teachings in the line of Namiki Yasushi and Itō Masayuki. I traomed at The Hōbyōkan under Dr. David Hall in Maryland until 2016, reaching the level of chuden in 2018. I then taught a small number of people in Seattle to maintain my practice; they continue to meet part of Lonin League.

There is ample video online of orthodox Jikishinkage-ryū lineages practicing and demonstrating in Japan. I collect some examples here for reference, including:

• Sounkai: current practice and earlier video,
• Sohonbu: 41st, 43rd and 45th Kendo Taikai; 61st Toyko Kendo Festival,
• Older video: practice and enbu video, etc.

Our practice includes introductory solo cutting practice called suburi, walking methods called unpō, paired cutting methods, foundational practice called hōjō and tactical methods called to-no-kata. We then undergo analyses of kata in a process called kuzushi and pressure testing in free practice called tameshi-ai.

Select Bibliography

Below are selected references 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.