I studied Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū
heihō kenjutsu
at the Hōbyōkan [
I practiced Tenshinshō-den Katori Shintō-ryū at Capital Aikikai between 2005 and 2015, receiving a mokuroku license in 2010.
Additionaly, I studied aspects of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, first with Kato Kazuo from the NY Yagyūkai briefly in Port Washington, NY, in the early 1990s and then much later with my sponsor to the Hōbyōkan in DC and the PNW.
I now mentor a small group in the kata of Jikishinkage-ryū and free practice as part of Lonin League, a martial arts cooperative in Seattle.
New Book on Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu
I have collected my notes on Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu into a single volume and expanded them with research into Japanese language historical documents and publications on that art. The result is now available as a small book.
Contrasting Modern and Classical Mindsets
We examine some features of armed and unarmed grappling and small weapon styles from the medieval period to modernity and draw some parallels and distinctions between them, especially as related to combat sport and contemporary military practices.
In Memorium: David A. Hall (1947-2025)
On 26 July 2025, the world lost one of its most knowledgeable teachers and scholars of classical Japanese martial culture.
From Kodachi to Kogusoku
Examining the role of kodachi kata in the progression of skill in Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu, with a description of application to close quarter armed grappling.
Raito and Sente
Examining the relationship between combative posture and initiative in a portion of Jikishinkage-ryū. What is first observed may be quite different from hidden layers of meaning and practice.
Koryū-wa koryū nari
The title is a pun on a famous saying associated to Shintō-ryū, the art of war is the art of peace. Old traditions are small traditions — it is the content that matters.
Kiai is Not a Sound
Discussing my study of Japanese swordsmanship in the context of internal martial arts principles and esoteric Buddhist practice.
Hōjō ken Kokoro-e sho
Text on Jikishinkage-ryū Hōjō (foundational) swordsmanship, provided for reference based on Jikishinkage-ryū Sōhonbu and Hōbyōkan material. This is typically chanted or recited before performance of the Hōjō kata of Jikishinkage-ryū.
Divergence and Unification in Shinkage-ryū
Link to an essay on kata, heiho and shugyo, where I compare and contrast different surviving lines of Shinkage-ryū and reflect on my own practice.
Tōsha Dōjō
Tōsha Dōjō is a small training activity that meets weekly as part of Lonin League in Seattle and is focused on traditional kata practice and free sparring with armor and shinai.
General Qi Jiguans's Jixiao Xinshu and Reflections on Claims of Martial Virtue
An essay published at Kogen Budo, where I look at some older writings from Japanese koryu that reference classical Chinese military treatises, and then examine how practices described in those works may be represented in arts surviving today.
Pressure Testing in Classical Budō
A description of some of my efforts to keep my practice of kenjutsu intact after moving to the Pacific Northwest. After moving, I decided to focus solely on Shinkage-ryū and pause my study of Shintō-ryū. I trained initially alone and over time tested my skills in unscripted environments. This is some of what transpired.
Gogyō Exegesis
An essay describing my experience, thinking, and choices regarding attempting to practice multiple koryū and then deciding not to.
Perspectives and Priorities
Opportunity can be fleeting in classical and traditional martial arts training. Each art lives or dies in a single generation. Strong arts can become but weak echoes of their former selves without proper training intensity.
Early Influences
Early influences on my training — how I moved from modern to classical approaches to training.