Niten-Ichi-Ryū-Kenjutsu (Enmei-Ryū)
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Niten-Ichi-Ryū-Kenjutsu (Enmei-Ryū)
Miyamoto Musashi and the origin of Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido
Niten-Ichi-Ryū-Kenjutsu (Enmei-Ryu) is in particular a sword style and was developed by the probably most famous sword master in Japan, Miyamoto Musashi Fujiwara Genshin (1584 – 1645) and originated from the martial art of his father Enmei Ryu (9 Nito-Kata forms). To this day, there have been and still are various style forms of Niten-Ichi-Ryu, some of which can be categorised as Koryu-Kobudo and others as Shin-Kobudo (new form from a broken lineage). To this day, there is no clear and continuous lineage. Only the uniform lineage up to the 8th generation can be proven with certainty. This includes the forms:
- Nodaha niten ichi ryu Kenjutsu 野田派ニ天一流
- Hyoho niten ichi ryu Kenjutsu 兵法二天一流
Who was Miyamoto Musashi?
Shimmen Musashi No Kami Fujiwara No Genshin was born in 1584 in a village called Miyamoto in the province of Mimasaka. His father Hirata Munisai, a samurai who was in the service of the sovereign, and his mother Omasa, who came from the Shinmen clan. Musashi went by the name Shinmen Bennosuke for a long time, which he later changed again. Musashi was already known for his wild nature in his younger years. It is said that he fought and won his first fight at the age of 13 against a skilled samurai named Arima Kihei. It is not entirely known who Musashi was apprenticed to. Only assumptions have been made. When he reached the age of 16, he began travelling throughout Japan. From this point on, he only called himself Miyamoto Musashi. During his journey, he fought in six wars and contested over 60 duels, all of which he won. At the age of 20, he began to search for the deeper meaning of his martial art. Legend has it that, at the peak of his art, he fought a battle with a bokken against Sasaki Kojiro, who was considered the best samurai at the time. He carved a bokken out of a paddle on the way to the venue of the fight, with which he then fought the legendary fight. He also fought in the legendary battle of Sehigahara. Musashi dedicated his life entirely to his swordsmanship. Here he developed his swordsmanship in numerous duels. His art was characterised by fighting with both long and short swords. This was very unusual at the time, as the short sword (kodachi) was actually intended for ceremonial purposes and emergencies. According to Musashi’s philosophy, you should use all the weapons at your disposal in battle.
This is written in the Gorin-no-sho (Book of Five Rings). He recognised that one should not only try to achieve perfection in swordsmanship, but also in other arts. He also devoted himself to blacksmithing, calligraphy and other arts, and honed all these arts to perfection. Musashi perfected his arts and shortly before his death wrote the Book of Five Rings (Gorin-no-sho) and handed it over to his favourite student. He died on 16 June 1645 in the Reigendo cave. Today, Musashi has taken on an important role in the history of Japan and has become something of a legend. In the many legends that surround him, he epitomises the spirit of Japan and its striving for perfection. Musashi left behind a book in which he wrote down the universally applicable insights of his way of thinking.
Two Heavens (Hyoho/Heiho)
The actual name of the Musashi school was “Hyoho-Niten-ichi-ryu”. However, the first school was probably founded during his service with the Ogasawara clan in Akashi / Harima province, where he served from 1615 to 1627. It was called Enmei-ryu (Enmei fencing school). It was here that the two-sword school was presented and taught for the first time. A type of “jitte” (sword catcher) was also trained. “Hyoho-Niten-ichi-ryu” could be described as “military methodology – a system with two swords”. The old form in Bu-jutsu for “Hyoho” is “Heiho”. It was not until around 1632, when Musashi was living in Edo – today’s Tokyo – that he changed the name to “Nito-ichi-ryu” (a system with two swords).
Like most ancient schools, “Niten-ichi-ryu” has a strong spiritual background with references to Buddhism and Shintoism in addition to its actual fighting techniques. This “ryu (style)” is characterised by the extreme realism of its application with the sword compared to other styles. The techniques are designed to be practical and dispense with unnecessary movements. The number of fighting positions and application techniques is far more limited than was usual in other styles at the time. This style was based on the use of the samurai sword in military battles and therefore also dispenses with the rapid drawing of the sword, which is practised today in “Iai-Do” or “Batto-Jutsu”, systems of rapid drawing. At this time, the weapon was always drawn to fight a duel.
The last step towards the “Gorin-no-sho”
At the end of his life, Musashi Miyamoto wrote down the knowledge of his sword art “Niten-Ichi-Ryu” in the Gorin-no-Sho, the “Book of the Five Rings (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Void)”. This book describes the “Hyoho-Sanjugo-Kajo (35 strategic areas)” in the various elements
The grandmasters of the “Hyoho-Niten-ichi-ryu”
To this day, there is no formal main lineage in Japan. The only official lineage can be found at www.nitenichiryu.jp with the current head and grandmaster Yoshimoti Kiyoshi, Junidai – 12th generation menkyo-kaiden Hyoho-Niten-Ichi-Ryu-Kenjutsu (see graphic on the right).
Training in “Niten-ichi-ryu”
Niten stands for “two” and symbolises the use of two swords. The school is based on 3 basic sword schools, which in turn are taught in 24 kata. It is astonishing that the “Nito (two swords)” made up the smallest part of the training. In Enmei-Ryu, the techniques are similar, with the difference that there are, among other things, cuts to the leg:
- Itto/Daito (long sword) (12 kata)
- Kodachi/Shoto (short sword) (7 kata)
- Nito (two swords) (5 kata)
Niten-Ichi-Ryu Kenjutsu Itto-Seiho 太 刀 勢 法
The “daito (long sword)”, also known as katana or tachi, was mainly used to train the basic skills of fighting long sword against long sword. It should also be mentioned that specially made bokken (wooden swords), which were thinner and lighter than the bokken we know today, played a very important role in training before the daito (long sword) came into use. Here, the “Itto-seiho (long sword fighting exercises) in particular were trained as follows:
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Niten-Ichi-Ryu Kenjutsu Kodachi-Seiho 小 太 刀 勢 法
The second step in the training was based on the basic idea of using the “Shuto (short sword)”, also known as Wakizashi or Kodachi, as a defensive weapon, as the long sword was used as an active weapon. First, however, the “Kodachi-seiho (short sword fighting exercises)” were trained in detail as follows:
- Sassen 指先
- Chudan 中段
- Uke-nagashi 受流
- Moji-gamae 捩構
- Haritsuke 張付
- Nagashi-uchi 流打
- Aisen 合先
Niten-Ichi-Ryu Kenjutsu Nito-Seiho 二 刀 勢 法
As a third step, the “Nito (two swords)” was then trained in the “Nito-seiho (two-sword combat exercises)” as follows:
- Chudan 中段
- Jodan 上段
- Gedan 下段
- Waki-gamae-hidari 左脇構
- Waki-gamae-migi 右脇構
Further development of the Niten-ichi-ryu school
After the death of Miyamoto Musashi Fujiwara Genshin (1645), the school continued to be taught, resulting in various further developments of “Niten-ichi-ryu”. Miyamoto Musashi travelled almost all over Japan during his lifetime, resulting in the creation of extended ryu (see diagram above). However, regardless of the expanded style, the basic values of “Niten-ichi-ryu” remained the same. The 24 forms of “Hyoho” can usually also be found in the other ryu, although there are different ways of performing them. Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido contains the basic values of “Niten-ichi-ryu” and “Gorin-no-sho”, which is particularly evident in the 24 forms. In the following, some of the listed weapons were trained in the offshoot schools alongside kenjutsu (sword):
- Jo (centre stick)
- Bo (long stick)
- Jitte (sword catcher)
- Tanto (knife)
- Yari (spear lance)
- Naginata (halberd)
- Yumi (bow)
- Tessen (iron fan)
- Bo-shuriken (throwing arrows)
- as well as skills in water, nature and on horseback
Niten-Ichi-Ryu today
Niten-Ichi-Ryu techniques can be found as components in some new systems. Some of these are offered at workshops. There is no clear originator due to the different lineages, let alone Koryu-Menkyo-Kaiden, with the exception of the current Japanese, who have an unbroken lineage (see Koryu-Kobudo section). Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido” is based on the traditions of the sword fighting art “Niten-Ichi-Ryu” (“Two-Heaven School”) of the probably most famous swordsman “Miyamoto Musashi” (1584 – 1645) and his teaching of the five elements of “Gorin-No-Sho” (earth, water, fire, wind and emptiness), as well as aspects of the “Koryu-Bujutsu” (traditional martial arts) of the samurai of the 16th to 19th centuries. Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido thus belongs to the Shin-Kobudo (new art of war) group. The link between the style name “Tatsu-Ryu” and the term “Bushido” (way of the warrior) is intended to illustrate the development of the traditional values of the samurai. The Japanese martial art “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido” was founded in 1987 as a martial arts club and in 1991 as an independent martial arts programme by Christian Wiederanders in order to preserve the old traditional values of Miyamoto Musashi from a new perspective. This secret scroll (picture left) of Nito-Ryu is in the original possession of Mark Sterke, Shin-Tai-Ryu. One of only ten duplicates is in the possession of Christian Wiederanders, Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido.
Thanks to Mark Sterke, Tilburg (Netherlands) for his support!
The new article and the pictures are taken from old records in books and scrolls in the possession of Mark Sterke www.shintairyu.de. Mark Sterke, Soke Godai Dotaiken (Bu Jitsu, 9 Dan – Master in Sho Sho Ryū – Master Muhen Yogan Ryū – both Koryu-Kobudo) from Holland is one of the few non-Japanese who is a member of the Japanese association Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai, of which Kiyoshi Yoshimoti 吉用 清 12th generation menkyo-kaiden Hyōhō-Niten-Ichi-Ryū, son of Gosho Motoharu 五所 元治 9th generation Hyōhō-Niten-Ichi-Ryū is also a member. He also offers Nito workshops, which includes Niten-Ichi-Ryu. Thanks to Mark Sterke for his kind support in revising the new article and making his library available . . .
31 May 2012
PICTURE: Visit to the samurai exhibition in Speyer on 1 July 2008. from left: Keiko Yoshida, Grand Master of the Tea Ceremony; Mart van Iersel; Atsuyoshi Takahashi (presented exhibits to the museum), 68th generation and head of the Sho sho ryu family; Mark Sterke, 9th Dan Shin Tai Ryu, Christian Wiederanders (member of the Historical Society), 7th Dan Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido.
Koryu-Kobudo
The first and oldest group are the Koryu Bujutsu (Koryu Kobudo) and are recognised as traditional martial arts of Japan by the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai 日本古武道協会 and the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai 日本古武道振興会 (a Japanese organisation for the promotion of traditional martial arts academies). They are the legacy of martial Japan. Although there are many more organisations, these two are recognised as the main overarching Koryu organisational body. Not all ryu are mentioned because not all academies are affiliated to one of the organisations mentioned. We see a wide variety of styles and the many different martial arts are also mentioned. It is estimated that there are still just over a hundred original martial arts academies practising in Japan. All of the academy names mentioned are members of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (日本古武道協会; associated with the company Nippon Budokan, founded in 1964) and/or members of the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai (日本古武道振興会 founded in 1935). Source:www.shintairyu.nl and www.bushi.eu andwww.europeankobudoassociation.eu
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| Araki ryu Gunyo kogusoku 荒木流 | Araki ryu Kenho 荒木流 | Asayama ichiden ryu Heiho 浅山一伝流 |
| Bokuden ryu Kenjutsu 卜伝 流 | Chikubujima ryu Bojutsu 竹生島流 | Chokugen ryu Onaginatajutsu 直元流 |
| Chujogoju ryu Bujutsu 沖縄剛柔流 | Daito ryu Aikijujutsu 大東流 | Enshin ryu Iai suemono 円心流 |
| Fuden ryu Sojutsu 風傳流 | Hayashizaki muso ryu Iaijutsu 林崎夢想流 | Higo koryu Choto 肥後古 |
| Mugen shinto ryu Iaijutsu 無限神刀流 | Muhen ryu Bojutsu 無辺流 | Muhi muteki ryu Jojutsu 無比無敵流 |
| Muso jikiden eishin ryu Iaijutsu 無双直伝英信流 | Muso jikiden eishin ryu Iaijutsu 無雙直傳英信流 | Muso shinden iai jushin ryu Kitsu-ai 夢想神伝居合重信流 |
| Muso shinden ryu Iaijutsu 夢想神伝流 | Nagao ryu Taijutsu 長尾流 | Negishi ryu Shurikenjutsu 根岸流 |
| Nito shinkage ryu Kusarigamajutsu 二刀神影流 | Nodaha niten ichi ryu Kenjutsu 野田派ニ天一流 | Ogasawara ryu Kyubajutsu 小 |
| Shokankenrimanichi ryu Ken jutsu 初貫剣理万一流 | Sho sho ryu Wajutsu (Yawara) 諸賞流 | Sosui ryu Kogusoku koshi no mawari 双水流 |
| Sui o ryu Iai kenho 水鴎流 | Taisha ryu Kenjutsu タイ捨流 | Takagi ryu Jujutsu 高木流 |
| Take no uchi ryu Jujutsu 竹内流 | Takeda ryu Aiki no jutsu 武田流 | Tamayama take sei shima ryu Bojutsu 霊山竹生島流 |
| Tamiya ryu Iaijutsu 田宮流 | Tatsumi ryu Heiho 立身流 | Tendo ryu Naginatajutsu 天道流 |
| Tenjin shinyo ryu Jujutsu 天神真楊流流 | Hokushin itto ryu Kenjutsu北辰一刀流 | Homizu ryu Bujutsu 北水流 |
| Hontai yoshin ryu Jujutsu 本体揚心流 | Hoki ryu Iaijutsu 伯耆流 | Hozoin ryu takadaha Sojutsu 宝蔵院流高田派 |
| Hyoho niten ichi ryu Kenjutsu 兵法二天一流 | Igaryuha katsushin ryu Jujutsu 為我流派勝新流 | Itto seiden muto ryu Kenjutsu 一刀正傳無刀流 |
| Jigen ryu Heiho kenjutsu 示現流 | Jikishinkage ryu Naginatajutsu 直心影流 | Kanemaki ryu Battojutsu 鐘捲流 |
| Kanshin ryu Iaijutsu 貫心流 | Kashima shinden jikishinkage ryu 鹿島神伝直心影流 | Kashima shinto ryu Kenjutsu 鹿島新當流 |
| Kiraku ryu Jujutsu 気楽流 | Kito ryu Jujutsu 起倒流 | Konko ryu Karate chujo |
| kobujutsu 金硬流 | Kogen itto ryu Kenjutsu 甲源一刀流 | Ku shin ryu Bo jutsu 九神流 |
| Kurama ryu Kenjutsu 鞍馬流 | Masaki ryu Kusari jutsu 正木流 | Mizoguchi-ha itto ryu Kenjutsu 溝口派一刀流 |
| Morishige ryu Hojutsu 森重流 | Mugai ryu Kenjutsu 無外流笠原流 | Ono-ha itto ryu Kenjutsu 小野派一刀流 |
| Owarikan ryu Sojutsu 尾張貫流 | Ryukyu Kobujutsu 琉球 | Ryukyu oke hidden honbu goten Te 琉球家秘伝本部御殿 |
| Saburi ryu Sojutsu 佐分利流 | Seki ryu Hojutsu 関流 | Sekiguchi ryu Iaijutsu 関口流 |
| Sekiguchi ryu Battojutsu 関口流 | Sekikoku ryu Jujutsu 石黒流 | Shibukawa ryu Jujutsu 渋川流 |
| Shibukawaichi ryu Jujutsu 渋川一流 | Shin muso hayashizaki ryu Iaijutsu 神夢想林崎流 | Shin nuki ryu Iaijutsu 信抜流 |
| Shindo munen ryu Kenjutsu 神道無念流 | Shindo yoshin ryu Jujutsu 神道楊心流 | Shindo munen ryu Kenjutsu 神道無念流 |
| Shindo muso ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流 | Shingetsu musoo yanagi ryu Jujutsu 心月無想柳流 | Shin gyo to ryu Kenjutsu 心形刀流 |
| Shishu ryu Karate 糸洲流 | Shokankenrimanichi ryu Katchu battojutsu 初貫剣理万一流 | Naginatajutsu 戸田派武甲流 |
| Toyama ryu 戸山流 | Wado ryu Jujutsu kenho 和道流 | Yagyu shingan ryu Heihojutsu 柳生心眼流 |
| Tennen rishin ryu Kenjutsu 天然理心流 | Tenshin shoden katori shinto ryu Kenjutsu 天真正伝香取神道流 | Toda ha bukoo ryu Yagyu shingan ryu Heijutsu 柳生心眼流 |
| Yagyu shingan ryu Katchu heiho 柳生心眼流 | Yagyu shingan ryu Taijutsu 柳生心眼流 | Yagyu shinkage ryu Heiho 柳生新陰流 |
| Yagyu shinkage ryu Heiho kenjutsu 柳生新陰流 | Yashin kachu ryu Jujutsu 柳心介冑流 | Yo ryu Hojutsu 陽流 |
| Yoshin ryu Naginatajutsu 揚心流 |
Shin-Kobudo
The second group is shin bujutsu (shin kobudo). They are not really new. They are mostly old. Warrior traditions of deceased people or a tradition where the curriculum has not been passed down from generation to generation or where there is no legitimate licence from the last living headmaster. In some cases, these are people who have separated from the old, traditional martial arts academy (Koryu). They are also often extinct academies with enough written material (scrolls, books, notes, etc.) to be revived by self-taught, competent people. It is also possible for martial artists to found and organise new schools. Sometimes these new schools combine several bujutsu styles to provide a larger curriculum with more variety. In most cases, these new bujutsu styles are similar to the old martial arts academies and are often run and developed with great enthusiasm and skill. There are a significant number of these types of schools and they are often found on the internet, books and other media. It is impossible to give an estimate of the number of practitioners. There are probably far more new bujutsu ryu than koryu bujutsu and often these school leaders have learnt from several other new ryu (schools). Nevertheless, the techniques (waza) of these schools are often inspired by the old martial traditions. Many of these new schools are organised in associations similar to the Budo Association and in some cases also have contact with Western groups and associations (figures refer to sources): Source: www.shintairyu.nl and www.bushi.eu e.g.:
- Niten Ichi Ryu (1) 二天一流
- Heihoo Niten Ichi Ryu kenjutsu, boojutsu 兵法二天一流
- Noda-ha Niten Ichi Ryu kenjutsu野田派ニ天一流
So there is Niten-Ichi-Ryu as Koryu-Kobudo and also as Shin Kobudo. To this day, there is no clear and continuous lineage. It is very unlikely that only 12 generations have existed since the 17th century, assuming 3-5 generations per 100 years.
The new trend of buying old menkyo-kaiden of extinct koryu systems from museums or antique shops does not justify continuing a system as a koryu system and joining the line of master generations!
