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IAIDO
The majority schools of Iaido is considered
to have originated with the man named Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu.
Although there are only few written documents on his life, there
is no doubt that Jinsuke Shigenobu (this was his real name) was
historical figure; continuation of his teaching through many lines
of his successors, proves it.
It is believed that Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu was borne in
Sagami province (today it is called Kanagawa) in 1549 (Tenmon
era). |
What is known for sure, is that Jinsuke Shigenobu
studied swordsmanship and other forms of martial arts like all the
other Bushi during that turbulent period of Japan history. Unfortunately,
there is no document on the style he studied (Ryu Ha), or his teacher
(sensei). On the other hand, it seams clear that he was exposed
to various sword fighting methods from an early age.
He first traveled across Japan as Musha Shugyo when he was 25 years
old. Musha Shugyo is the institution of travel of young warriors
during which they would challenge Bushi from other schools to a
duel. This was the way for a young swordsman to practice and refined
his skills. In Oshu Province (today’s Yamagata), Jinsuke Shigenobu
visited Hayashizaki temple to pray to Hayashi Myojin. While he was
praying, he had a vision of this deity reveling to him the true
meaning of Iaido. “Divinely inspired”, as it is said, he changed
his name in Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu and established his own
school of Iaido, gradually transforming his technique of swordsmanship.
His new style was characterized by less aggressive approach, by
intuitive knowledge and generally, by a spiritual dimension, rare
and radical for the concept of the swordsmanship at that time.
From the founders times up to now, many schools of Iaido have been
formed. Approximately 30 of them still practice this art.
History of
MUSO JIKIDEN EISHIN RYU
The central figure to create the style which
will be developed into Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido was Hasegawa
Chikaronosuke Eishin, the seventh soke (i.e. headmaster of the school,
the title that is passed on from teacher to student) in the line
of Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu’s style. He is considered to be
the official founder of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. Apart from being
the seventh soke in the line of Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu’ style
he was also the 19th soke of Muso Jikiden Ryu school. He studied
the style of Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu in dojo of the 6th soke,
Bano Nobusada, between 1717. and 1735. in Edo (today’s Tokio). On
the basis of his substantial experience and practice of both styles,
Hasegawa Eishin founded his own school - Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu
Iaido. He passed his new style of swordsmanship on the 8th soke
in the line of Jinsuke Shigenobu’s style and thus the Muso Jikiden
Eishin Ryu and the existent line were brought together. |
Hasegawa Eishin, who was not less excellent
at swordsmanship than Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu, introduced
some important innovations in the art of using the sword. One of
these innovations was a different position of the sword in the scabbard.
Hasegawa Eishin instructed that the sword should lay in scabbard
with its cutting edge pointed upward. Thus the time needed for performing
nukitsuke (i.e. initial cut) was significantly shortened and the
shorter time was decisive for the outcome of the combat. Gaining
the part of second in speed in this way was the reason why the other
schools accepted this innovation soon after.
The 9th soke was Hayashi Morimasa. He studied the Iaido style of
Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu but he also studied Shinkage Ryu Kenjutsu;
his teacher was the famous swordsman Omori Rokuruzaemon Masamitsu.
Although Omori Rokuruzaemon Masamitsu was not directly affiliated
to the line of Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu’s style he was very
important for its development. He created the set of 11 kata performed
from the seated position, seiza (seiza is a traditional japanise
sitting position). This starting position was much more suitable
for the purposes of the indoor combat. This set of kata he passed
on his student, Hayashi Morimasa who included it into the practicing
of Hayashizaki
Jinsuke Shigenobu’s style. Omori Rokuruzaemon Masamitsu also was
one of the first teacher who considered the issue of the etiquette
and the ritual, formal element in the practicing of Iaido. He took
the Reiho (etiquette, ritual element of martial arts) over from
the Ogasawara Ryu Kyujutsu, Japanese school of archery. Just like
the set of kata, he also passed this element on his student, Hayashi
Morimasa.
After the 11th soke, the lineage of Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu’s
style split into two separate lines due to the different view on
which soke should lead the school.
One line recognized Hayashi Seishu as the 12th soke. The 13th soke
in this line was Yoda Yorikatsu and the 14th soke was Hayashizaki
Masataka. The 15th soke was Tanimura Kame Jo No Sugio and the style,
Tanimura Ha, was named after him. It is the Tanimura Ha style, which
strictly followed the teaching of Hasegawa Eishin, that grew into
the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu.
The 17th soke was the famous swordsman Oe Masamichi Shikei. He studied
and instructed the style that was practiced in Tosa (in south Japan),
well known for its traditionalism and loyalty to its warriors heritage.
In a way, he reformed the school, namely, he unified and classified
many different branches and off-shoots of Tanimura Ha style that
flourished in Tosa province at that time (Taisho era, 1912-1926).
Due to Oe Masamichi Shikei’s suggestion, which was soon accepted
by other teachers of this style, school was given the name Muso
Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido. Tosa province is considered to be the
center of the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. |
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Sekiguchi Komei Sensei, training in Taishukan
dojo, Belgrade; |
After Oe Sensei, Eishin Ryu evolved in
three different lineages (Ryu Ha) named after three successors of
Oe Masamichi Sensei. These are Yamauchi Ha, Hokiyama Ha and Masaoka
Ha. |
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