Gassankan Heiho
The Gassankan (月山館) is a small independent training activity in Seattle maintaining a practice of traditional Japanese combatives, focused on the use of the sword. We attempt to do so in a manner that is compatible with internal martial arts principles. This includes a practice of traditional kenjutsu kata of Kashima-shinden Jiki Shinkage-ryū, the analysis and deconstruction those kata in a process called kuzushi, and free practice of pressure testing called tameshi-ai.
Hold swords on both sides and use the sword to fight. Between them, the two standing, is the place where chaos was not divided before the heaven and earth were opened. Before the heaven and earth were opened, there was chaos and no separation. The shape is the same as the Taiji cloud, the Wuji cloud. The cloud is the cloud of the infinite. The cloud is the cloud of no self. If you dare to go to a place where there is nothing, you will be able to take it, and you will be able to wield the sword.
hojo densho from Yamada Jirokichi, 1927.
The Gassankan is not an official line of Kashima-shinden Jiki Shinkage-ryū, but we attempt to train in a traditional manner as handed down to us in the line of Kawashima Takashi, Onishi Hidetaka, Namiki Yasushi, and Ito Masayuki, through the training I received at the Hobyokan from Dr. David Hall.
Practice at the Seattle Budokan, 2021
The purpose of this ongoing training activity is to maintain an offering of these teachings in the hopes they will continue to serve as a mechanism for purification (misogi) through mindful austerity (shugyo). In doing so, I have worked with the following people, to the following levels of practice:
- Jake Harlin, shoden
- Nicky Sayah Sina, shoden
- Anthony Nehls-Smith, nyumon
- Ryan Baisden, nyumon
These are levels of practice associated to my dojo, the Gassankan, and are not formal licenses in Jiki Shinkage-ryū. I am not part of a formal lineage of the art in Japan and teach independently of other Jiki Shinkage-ryū groups. I am no longer accepting new students, but Jake Harlin and Nicky Sayah Sina lead an ongoing introductory practice of Jikishinkage-ryu kata at Lonin League in Seattle. Training is by invitation only; interested parties can make an appointment with them to observe a class and discuss what is required to begin training. A general level of physical fitness and knowledge of traditional Japanese martial culture is required.
The art of war prohibits violence, eliminates chaos, calms the people and defends the country. It is also the way to create virtue and ward off evil spirits. It is a precious weapon for protecting the body. The sword is used to remove limitations. In its use, reason is not the decisive factor. If you practice and act carefully, you will be able to penetrate your original nature. That is the origin of the flowing spirit sword. Otherwise, it will be difficult to be wise and courageous, and practice will not yield benefit.
reikenden densho from Yamada Jirokichi, 1927.