Kenjutsu

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Gassankan

The Gassankan is an independent training activity maintaining a practice of kenjutsu. I learned aspects of Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu at the Hobyōkan in Rockville, Maryland. After moving to Seattle, I was able to work with a few people in order to continue my practice. On a practical level, this consists of:

  1. Practice of traditional kenjutsu kata.
  2. Analysis of these kata and their variations in a process called kuzushi.
  3. Combative pressure testing called tameshi-ai.

I have taken to using the characters 直心陰流 for Jikishinkage-ryu when describing my practice, with 陰 (yin/shadow) used instead of 影 (shadow), to emphasize the strong Taoist influence on my practice from both Japanese Shugendo and Chinese internal martial arts. As an independent activity, my focus is on the cultivation of body, mind and spirit through a process called shugyō (修行). I do not issue licenses or ranks in Jikishinkage-ryu, but instead recognize student progress by certification in what I call Gassan Kenpō (月山劍法), which is a way of refering to the sword methods taught in my school, the Gassankan.

How To Train

Two of my students lead a weekly practice as Tōsha Dōjō ( 闘者 道場 ), which is part of a HEMA cooperative called Lonin League.

References

Below is a curated list of references concerning classical Japanese martial arts and culture:

  1. Hall, D.A., 2012. Encyclopedia of Japanese martial arts. Kodansha USA.
  2. Hall, D.A., 2013. The Buddhist goddess Marishiten: a study of the evolution and impact of her cult on the Japanese warrior. Global Oriental.
  3. Iwasa, M., 2005. Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu. The Origin of Samurai Swordsmanship from Kashima Shrine. Samurai-Bushido Society.
  4. Yamada, J., 1927. Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū 鹿島神傳直心影流. Suishinsha.
  5. Amdur, E., 2015. Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions--Expanded Edition (2nd Edition). Freelance Academy Press.
  6. Amdur, E., 2018. Hidden in Plain Sight: Esoteric Power Training within Japanese Martial Traditions (2nd Edition). Freelance Academy Press.
  7. Friday, K.F. and Seki, F., 1997. Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture. University of Hawaii Press.
  8. Knutsen, R., 2004. Rediscovering budo: From a swordsman's perspective. Global Oriental.
  9. Krastev, G., Allera, A., and Takahiro Y. 2023. Unravelling the Cords: The Instructions of a Master in the Tradition of Taisha-ryū. Purple Cloud Books.
  10. Skoss, D., 1997. Koryu Bujutsu: classical warrior traditions of Japan. BookBaby.
  11. Ohgami, S. and Threadgill, T., 2020. Shindo Yoshin Ryu: History and Technique.

Links

Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū is one of the most powerful surviving forms of Japanese swordsmanship. Founded in the late 16th century, it has preserved Taoist methods of power development centered around the combative use of the sword that are not often found in contemporary Japanese martial arts.

L to R: Jikishinkage-ryu shihan Ōnishi Hidetaka, Namiki Yasushi, Kawashima Takashi, and two unnamed individuals at Heki-ryu Sekka-ha practice.

The Gassankan is an independent practice. Below are links to official and unofficial Jikishinkage-ryū groups I am familiar with:

  • Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū Sohonbu led by Wakabayashi Satoru, successor to Iwasa Masaru, is recognized by the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai.
  • Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryu Keishukai led by Michael Hudson at the Tama City Budokan. Hudson is a senior student of Yoshida Hijime, who is recognized by Kashima Shrine.
  • The Hobyōkan led by David Hall at the National Institute of Health. Dr. Hall studied under Namiki Yasushi and Ito Masayuki while living in Japan, and received Namiki sensei's permission to teach a small group in the United States in order to maintain his practice. This is where I trained.
  • Jikishinkage-ryu Sounkai is the group practicing in the line of Namiki Yasushi's sons. They film many of their practices and make them available online.