月山神陰流

Over the last twenty years I have studied several approaches to kenjutsu. Over time, my primary approach has become the Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū (鹿島神傳直心影流) kenjutsu derived from teachings in the line of Namiki Yasushi and Itō Masayuki as preserved at the Hōbyōkan.

Curriculum

I have taken to shortening that name Gassankan Jikishinkage-ryū (月山館直心影流) to Gassan Shinkage-ryū (月山神陰流), using the character for (spirit) instead of (heart) and the alternate character for shadow to call out the extent to which my internal martial arts training has influenced my kenpō over time.

The practice I maintain includes introductory suburi, walking methods called unpō, combined walking and cutting methods, paired kata practice of the Hōjō (four seasons) kata and to no kata (tactical kata). We conduct analysis of kata in a process called kuzushi and pressure testing in free practice called tameshi-ai. Later, we do the same with kodachi (small sword) and explore older versions of Hōjō with swords instead of shinai in a practice called habiki. Finally, we explore grappling applications with kodachi we call kogusoku and explore armored swordsmanship.

How To Train

The following individuals have trained with me to the following levels of practice:

  1. Jake Harlin, shoden
  2. Nicky Sayah Sina, shoden
  3. Anthony Smith, nyumon
  4. Ryan Baisden, nyumon

Jake Harlin and Nicky Sayah Sina now lead a weekly kata practice at the Lonin League martial arts cooperative in Seattle. I call their ongoing practice Tōsha Dōjō – it is open to new members after an interview process and probationary training period.