Nakayama Hakudo

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Nakayama Hakudo (1873-1958) also known as Nakayama Hiromichi, was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the iaido style Musō Shinden-ryū.

He was born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture but he later moved to Tokyo at the age of 19 and entered the dojo of Shingoro Negishi of Shindo Munen-ryū.

Nakayama was a famous master of iaido and of Shindo Munen-ryū kenjutsu and a friend of Morihei Ueshiba. He trained many of the top swordsmen of his day and operated the famous Yushinkan Dojo near Korakuen in Tokyo. He was instrumental in arranging the marriage between Kiyoshi Nakakura and Ueshiba's daughter, Matsuko.

During the 1930's he was the most famous member of the committee that drew up the sword curriculum for the Toyama Military Academy. Therefore he is considered by many to also be the father of the Toyama style of swordsmanship.

He was the last Soke (head master) of the Shimomura Faction of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū iaido. He modified the techniques and curriculum slightly and renamed it Musō Shinden-ryū. After World War II he was instrumental in the establishment of the All Japan Kendo Federation. He is the only person to have received both Judan (10th degree) and Hanshi (Master instructor) ranks in kendo, iaido and jodo from the All Japan Kendo Federation. He also held an instructors license in Shinto Muso-ryu and a Menkyo Kaiden in Shindo Munen Ryu. Menkyo Kaiden is the highest rank given by those two systems.