Tenjin Shinyo-ryu
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Tenjin Shinyo-ryu can be classified as a koryu (traditional) form of jujutsu. It was founded by Iso Mataemo Minamoto no Masatari in the 1830s. Once a very popular jujutsu system in Japan, among the famous students who studied the art were Jigoro Kano, whose modern art of judo was greatly inspired by the Tenjin Shinyo-ryu, and Morihei Ueshiba the founder of aikido.
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[edit] Description
Essentially Tenjin Shinyo-ryu is the amalgamation of two separate systems of jujutsu, the Yoshin-ryu and Shin no Shinto-ryu. The distinctive feature of this particular school is the use of atemi or strikes to disrupt the balance of the opponent and, a more flexible and flowing movement of the body. The older school of jujutsu employs large and slower movements, this is to mimick the use of armour in the battlefield, Tenjin Shinyo-ryu was developed after the period of civil war in Japan, thus without armor the movements are faster, more strikes were incorporated, primarily aimed at human vital points and meridians exposed (without armor) are used.
[edit] The sources of the art
From the beginning the Yoshin-ryu or "Willow School" favoured striking techniques which were apparentally learned by Akiyama Shirobei Yoshitoki, a doctor from Nagasaki. Akiyama reputedly learned some basic fighting tactics while studying medicine in China. Chinese fighting tactics placed a much greater emphasis on punching and kicking techniques during this period as they sprang from circumstances which did not necessarily presume living in an armed society or exclusively armoured battlefield conditions. According to oral tradition after meditating upon the basic tactics he learned he had an epiphany when he saw a willow tree supporting a heavy load of snow in its pliant branches. This led him to greatly expand his system.
Shin no Shinto-ryu was created by a palace guard at Osaka castle named Yamamoto Tamiza Hideya who had studied Yoshin-ryu before implementing changes in the curriculum and paring down the system to 68 techniques.
Iso Mataemon Masatari (1787-1863) studied Yoshin-ryu under Hitotsuyanagi Oribe and Shin no Shinto-ryu under Homma Jouemon. He then went travelling and training throughout the country where he engaged in various competitions. It is said that he was never beaten. According to tradition he was once involved in a fight involving a hundred assailants and it was this experience that further solidified the importance of atemiwaza, or striking techniques, in his system along with throwing and strangling techniques common to other systems of jujutsu.
Iso created a composite system based on the techniques of the Yoshin-ryu, Shin no Shinto-ryu and his experience and founded his own tradition called the Tenjin Shin'yo ryu around 1800. "Tenjin/Tenshin" meaning that it was divinely inspired, "Shin" from Shin no Shinto and "yo" from the Yoshin-ryu.
Iso became the jujutsu instructor to the Tokugawa Shogunate and his school flourished to become the most popular school of jujutsu of the time (1848-1864) with Iso teaching 5000 students in that time.
After the Meiji Restoration of 1868 the study of jujutsu fell into decline generally and this effected the Tenjin Shinyo-ryu as well.
[edit] Training methodology
The training methodology, as with most koryu systems, is kata based or a form of pre-arranged fighting. Students learns the specific subtleties, or the more hidden meaning of the form, through the continuous repetitions of the katas. There are over 130 kata of this classical jujutsu, unarmed combat teaching from seated positions, standing positions, weapons defence, and also includes special healing methods and resuscitation (kappo).
Certain katas are subject to secrecy, due to the nature of lethal effects and subject of martial traditions. The kappo or resuscitation techniques, were a secret, however Kubota sensei now teaches at Kodokan (Judo Hombu dojo, Japan) to the leading judo teachers at the seminars. The higher level of katas, not only relates to the aspect of physical movements, but the deeper inner meanings, or link between the philosophy, and mindset of the practitioner. Such katas are taught only to students with many years of commitment and experience.
[edit] Tenjin Shinyo-ryu Today
With the 5th headmaster, Iso Mataemon dying without designating a successor, the Tenjin Shinyo ryu lacks a headmaster leading the mainline tradition. Rather there exist a number of individuals who received menkyo kaiden awards of the full transmission in the art from legitimate headmasters of the past.
The leading active teacher is Toshihiro Kubota whose legitmacy in preserving the teachings of his teacher Sakamoto Fusataro is supported by senior exponents of other koryu. He formed his dojo and organization, the Tenyokai, in 1978. Receiving instruction in both judo and Tenshin Shinyo ryu from his teacher Sakamoto he received his license in 1973. In his seventies, he still actively participates in the teaching of the art three times a week. Apart from locals, his students are from far ranging countries such as Australia, Germany, Israel, and England. In addition to Tenjin Shinyo-ryu jujutsu, Kubota Sensei holds a 7th dan in judo.
Currently there are only two officially recognised branch schools of the Tenjin Shinyo-ryu by Kubota Sensei outside Japan. These are located in Sydney, Australia and London, England, with teachers who hold licenses of full transmission, whom are officially certified by Kubota sensei.
The second line of the Tenjin Shinyo ryu traces its lineage through Tobari Kazu who received her training from Tobari Takisaburo. Tobari had in turn studied under Isao Mataichiro, the younger brother of the fourth headmaster of the ryu. She maintained the dual traditions of Tenjin Shinyo Ryu and the Shin no Shinto-ryu until her death some years ago, running a small dojo in Osaka in which many of her students were strong judo players. As this line seems to have become inactive in recent years its survival is cast in some doubt.
Miyamoto Hanzo was a student of both Inoue Keitaro and Tozawa Tokusaboro, who is believed to have briefly taught jujutsu to aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei . In Miyamoto, who was also very well known as a strong judo man, once again we see the connection between this classical school of jujutsu and modern judo. Miyamoto taught Aimiya Kazusaburo, who himself produced a number of strong students, but after suffering a stroke he was forced to stop teaching the art. Of those students it seems only Shibata Koichi currently continues to teach the art albeit upon a very limited scale.
Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo, studied Tenjin Shinyo jujutsu for several years under two leading exponent's of the day, Fukuda Hachinosuke and 3rd generation headmaster Iso Mataemon Masatomo. The Tenshin Shinyo ryu, along with the Kito Ryu, played a role of seminal importance to the development of Kano's judo system. Although modified for safe sport use, the influence of the Tenjin Shinyo ryu can be seen today in many of judo's core throwing techniques such as seoinage (shoulder throw), haraiogoshi (sweeping hip throw) and osotogari (outer reap) to name but a few. The Itsutsu no kata, or the five forms, of Kodokan judo preserve techniques of an esoteric nature found in the Tenshin Shinyo ryu's "five teachings of the kuden" kata and techniques from the Kime no kata are said to show the influence of Tenjin Shinyo tactics. In this way while creating a modern sport Kano was able to preserve some aspects of the Tenjin Shinyo Ryu in his art and it is for this reason that contemporary judo participants tend to show such a interest in this particular koryu jujutsu form.
[edit] External link
Currently there are a few officially recognized branches of the Tenjin Shinyo-ryu by Kubota Sensei outside Japan. These are located in New Jersey (USA),Sydney, Australia and London, England, with teachers who hold the menkyo Teaching License, whom are officially certified by Kubota sensei.
