Yagyū Shingan-ryū

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Traditional Japanese martial art
Yagyū Shingan-ryū
(柳生心眼流)
Founder Takenaga Hayato
(竹永 隼人, dates of birth and death unknown)
Date founded c.1600
Period founded late Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568–1603), or
early Edo period (1603–1868)
Current headmaster Sendai-line: Shimazu Sensei & Hoshi Sensei;
Taijutsu Edo-line: Kajitsuka Sensei
Current headquarters Sendai-line: Tokyo;
Edo-line: Kanagawa Prefecture
Arts taught
Art Description
Kenjutsu Sword art
Iaijutsu Sword drawing art
Naginatajutsu Glaive art
Bōjutsu Quarterstaff art
Suhada Jujutsu Unarmed grappling art
Kacchu Yawara armored Grappling
Torite Arresting/Capturing
Yawara Grappling
Kappo Healing/resuscitation
Ancestor schools
Shindō-ryū • Yagyū Shinkage-ryū
Descendant schools
None identified


Yagyū Shingan-ryū (柳生心眼流?), is a traditional school (koryū) of Heiho Japanese martial arts. Different schools of Yagyū Shingan-ryū, such as Heihojutsu and Taijutsu, assert different founders, but they all go back to Ushū Tatewaki (羽州 帯刀), referred to in some historical scrolls as Shindō Tatewaki, who taught a system based on Sengoku-period battlefield tactics, that was called Shindō-ryū.

The word shingan (心眼?) is rooted in Zen philosophy, and was chosen to describe a fundamental concept of the style. Shingan means "mind’s eye," or "heart's eye," and refers to the ability to sense an opponent's thoughts or feelings via an inner sense.[1] Originally called simply Shingan-ryū, it was later renamed Yagyū Shingan-ryū, due to the influence of Yagyu Tajima No Kami Munenori's Yagyū Shinkage-ryū.[2]

Yagyū Shingan-ryū was created to be a battlefield art with a large comprehensive curriculum of weapons, and grappling techniques for use both while armored and unarmored. The techniques of Yagyū Shingan-ryū were therefore designed to eliminate an enemy quickly and effortlessly.[2] In the early days, both the Yagyū Shingan and Shinkage schools were similar, [2] as both consisted of an array of armed and unarmed combat techniques. However, as the two schools evolved, the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū focused primarily on swordsmanship (kenjutsu), whereas the Yagyū Shingan-ryū continued as a comprehensive combat system, training several arts, including jujutsu, quarterstaff fighting (bōjutsu), glaive fighting (naginatajutsu), sword drawing techniques (iaijutsu) and sword fighting (kenjutsu).

Contents

[edit] Takenaga Hayato

Takenaga Hayato (竹永 隼人, dates of birth and death unknown), sometimes known as Takenaga Hayato Kanetsugu (Jikinyu), founded the Yagyū Shingan-ryū, which he taught primarily in what is now known as Sendai, Miyagi.[2] Before founding the Yagyu Shingan-ryū, Hayato studied Shindō-ryū (神道流) , Shinkage-ryū - Divine Shadow (神影流), Shuza-ryū (首座流), Toda-ryū (戸田流) and (Yagyū) Shinkage-ryū - New Shadow (新陰流).

Takenaga Hayato was clearly influenced by his studies of the Shindō-ryū of Ushū Tatewaki. Takenaga Hayato went to Edo, was employed by the Yagyū family and studied Yagyū Shinkage-ryū with Yagyū Munenori.[2] The name Yagyū Shingan-ryū was used after Hayato was directed to use the family "Yagyū" name in his art Shingan-ryū by Yagyu Munenori.[2] On return to his home in Sendai, Miyagi he taught the ashigaru until his death.

Following Takenaga Hayato the tradition was passed on to Yoshikawa Ichiroemon, thence Ito Kyuzaburo, then to Koyama Samon who traveled to Edo and became the headmaster of the Edo line of Yagyu Shingan-ryū. Koyama Samon in later years returned to his home where he continued to instruct Yagyū Shingan-ryū. He was known as "The Restorer".

The Sendai Line of the Yagyu Shingan Ryu Heihojutsu is under the guidance of Headmasters Shimazu Sensei & Hoshi Sensei.

[edit] Araki Mataemon

Araki Mataemon (荒木 又右衛門, 1594–1634) is credited as the founder of the Edo-line of Yagyū Shingan-ryū[1], known as Yagyū Shingan-ryū Taijutsu. The Edo-line stems from headmaster Koyama Samon, who carried the art from Sendai to Edo. While Araki's name appears on the Edo school's historical scrolls, his actual influence on the tradition is unclear. For many, he is considered the spiritual founder of the tradition. Yagyū Shingan-ryū has evolved over the centuries, with each headmaster refining the art. It is therefore plausible that Koyama Samon may have been influenced or inspired by Araki, which led to the differences in appearance and philosophy that exist today.

Araki Mataemon was a practitioner of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, under his mentor Yagyū Munenori[1]. Legend states that Munenori drew his sword and attacked Araki unexpectedly. Araki defended himself using nothing more that a rolled-up piece of paper. After passing this final test, he was awarded menkyo kaiden by his teacher, Munenori. It is also said that Araki was Yagyu Jubei's teacher. This is portrayed in the popular Japanese television series, "Three Generations of the Yagyū Sword." Originally, Araki's Shingan-ryū was known as "Araki-dō." The Edo-line legend states that it was Yagyū Jubei that granted permission for the use of the Yagyū name. Today, the Edo-line of Yagyū Shingan-ryū, under the guidance of headmaster Kajitsuka, practice the art of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū alongside Yagyū Shingan-ryū (Kajitsuka holds menkyo kaiden in Yagyū Shinkage-ryū).

[edit] Branches

There are two main lines of Yagyū Shingan-ryū, and a few off-shoot lineages.

[edit] Sendai line

The Yagyu Shingan Ryu Heihojutsu (Sendai -line) that has spread overseas is directed by Headmaster Shimazu Kenji (Kyodensho Chikuosha). Shimazu Kenji has mastery of both the Edo and Sendai line under Headmaster Aizawa Tomio (Edo line - Yorifuji den and Sendai line - Kano den) and the Sendai line under Headmaster, Hoshi Kunio (Sendai line - Hoshi den)[3]. The Yagyū Shingan-ryū Heihōjutsu line under Shimazu Kenji is headquartered in Tokyo. Small but strong branches under the direct supervision of Shimazu Kenji exist in Australia (Philip Hinshelwood), Sweden (Per Eriksson).

The Yagyū Shingan-ryū Heihō (Sendai-line) was headed by Hoshi Kunio until his death in 2007. His son was appointed as his successor; 13th generation headmaster [5th generation family descendant].

The Sendai line is known for its armored routines and hard, thrashing strikes and pressure point attacks[citation needed].

The Yagyū Shingan-ryū (Sendai-line) has three primary levels within the curriculum, Omote, Ura and Kage. It has a broad focus (Weaponry, Jujutsu, Kappo) and has been practiced in Sendai area for several generations.

[edit] Edo line

Yagyū Shingan-ryū Taijutsu (Edo-line) is directed by Kajitsuka Yasushi (11th Lineal Headmaster). This lineage stems from headmaster, Koyama Samon. The Taijutsu school is known for its close quarter jujutsu techniques. The techniques are based on body physics rather than brute strength. Some of the trade-mark maneuvers include pole-driving (dropping an opponent on his head), back breaking, and neck snapping. Although this style does not employ the wearing of armor during practice or exhibition, the techniques are clearly designed for combating an armored opponent. The style includes the usual array of weapons forms, but is distinguished by its unique staff (6ft) and ōdachi kata.

Unlike modern Japanese budō, which was created for the masses and is largely sport oriented[citation needed], kobudō (“ko” being short for koryū, meaning traditional or old) was designed for the warrior, whose sole purpose was to kill or be killed. Many of Japan’s modern budō have their roots in the Yagyū schools of combat[citation needed]. Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, was a student of Yagyū Shingan-ryū. He received the rank of Shoden from a Shihan of the Edo-line of Yagyū Shingan-ryū (stemming from the sixth lineal-headmaster Goto Saburō — hence the name Goto-ha). Likewise, Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo, trained under the seventh lineal-headmaster of the Edo-line (Yagyū Shingan-ryū Taijutsu), Ohshima Masateru.

Yagyū Shingan-ryū Taijutsu (Edo line) is primarily located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The official site of the Yagyu Shingan Ryu Taijutsu indicates a keikokai now exists in Brisbane, Australia (Paul Keen).[citation needed]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c Skoss, Diane (Editor). 1997. Koryū Bujutsu.Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan, volume 1, p85 #1. New Jersey, Koryū Books. ISBN 1890536040
  2. ^ a b c d e f Mol, Serge (2001) Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: a complete guide to koryu jujutsu Kodansha International, Tokyo, ISBN 4770026196 , pp.176-178
  3. ^ Kyodensho Chikuosha Northern Europe Official Webspace

[edit] External links

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Traditional arts practiced:
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