This section includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (January 2014) |
Ittō-ryū (
Ono-ha Ittō-ryū
editOno-ha Ittō-ryū (
Ono-ha was founded by Ittōsai's immediate successor, Mikogami Tenzen (also known as Ono Jiroemon Tadaaki, 1565–1628), from whence the name of the art is derived. Oral tradition indicates that Ittosai made Tadaaki fight a serious duel with another student, Zenki, in order to establish a successor to the style. Serving as an instructor to both the second and third shōguns, along with Yagyū Munenori of the rival school the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, Tadaaki was able to continue to give his art wide exposure. It was said [by whom?] that Tadaaki was Munenori's superior in swordsmanship, but that his severe character led him to be the less favoured and respected of the two.
Known as a dueling style which focused upon the sword rather than a more multifaceted, multi-weapon, battlefield style, Ono developed a mock split-bamboo sword called a fukuro-shinai in order to reduce training injuries and allow more committed fighting practice.
From a technical standpoint this style consists of more than 150 techniques for both long and short swords. Kiri-otoshi, which translates simply as "cutting down", is still the defining technique, like that of its parent style. Characteristically, practitioners often feel that they have the ability to strike freely due to their technique of cutting down the center line during an opponent's cut in order to displace their attacker's sword and gain victory. The style adheres to a philosophy articulated in the phrase "itto sunawachi banto (
Although formally established as a system for unarmoured fighting, the techniques maintained an awareness of the demands and tactics of armoured fighting, making the techniques adaptable to such circumstances.
The transmission of the system passed out of the Ono family briefly and was maintained by the feudal lord Tsugaru Nobumasa. The second headmaster from this family taught Ono Tadakata, allowing the Ono family to continue preserving the line while the Tsugaru family continued their practice of the art, thereby having two families maintain the main line of the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū tradition thereafter. The Tsugaru family also taught the system to members of Yamaga family, and they worked together to preserve the line of their art.
Sasamori Junzo, a well known and high ranking kendo practitioner, succeeded the system as the 16th headmaster during the Taishō period, followed by his son, Sasamori Takemi as the 17th headmaster, and Yabuki Yuji as the 18th and current headmaster. Reigakudō (
Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū
editMizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū (
Ito Masamori, a student of Mizoguchi's, visited the Aizu clan and taught Edamatsu Kimitada an incomplete version of the art. Ikegami Jozaemon Yasumichi, a student of Edamatsu, was sent by the daimyō (feudal lord) to study the sword methods to be found in Edo (present-day Tokyo). Combining methods learned there with the original teachings of Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū, he created a distinct Aizu line of the Mizoguchi-ha school with many significant differences in technique. This is the line that survives today, as the original line has disappeared.
Watching a demonstration of the Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū it easily distinguishable from its parent art, the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, and the Nakanishi-ha and Itto Shoden Muto-ryū. The kata used in these styles bear a close resemblance to each other. The Mizoguchi-ha at times looks like an entirely different art rather than just a different branch of the Ittō school, although employing some similar tactics. Many of the kata seem more overtly instructive in their orientation, teaching tactics to the left and then to the right.
The curriculum consists of five long-sword and three short-sword techniques with omote (outside/surface) and ura (inner/more sophisticated) versions. Being a traditional school of the Aizu clan, which was based in Fukushima, it is currently maintained by the Fukushima prefecture and local kendo federations. There is also a group of practitioners in Kōbukan kendo club (Nakano, Tokyo) led by Hiroshi Ozawa sensei[2] that regularly demonstrates Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū at annual Kyoto Enbu Taikai.[3]
Although Takeda Sōkaku, the founder of Daitō-ryū, claimed to maintain the traditional teachings of the Aizu clan, according to his son, Tokimune, the core of his approach to the sword, although modified, was based upon the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū rather than Mizoguchi-ha.
Nakanishi-ha Ittō-ryū
editNakanishi-ha Ittō-ryū (
Stylistically the Nakanishi branch is said to more closely resemble its source, the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, than do any other branches of the Ittō-ryū. The kata practiced on the surface appear to be identical in form but differ in such aspects as timing, breathing, and use of distance.
The Nakashima branch is marked by its wide stances and deliberate movements, which confer a feeling of power and dignity. This style, like the Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, employs the use of the heavily padded glove known as the "onigote," to allow forceful finishing strikes practiced as the denouement of each kata.
Many famous swordsmen have emerged from this ryū, some founding schools of their own. Some of the more prominent among them were:
- Terada Gouemon (Founder of the Tenshin Ittō-ryū)
- Shirai Toru (Successor to Terada)
- Takayanagi Yoshimasa (Founder of the Takayanagi-ha Toda-ryū)
- Asari Yoshinobu (Teacher to Yamaoka Tesshu)
- Chiba Shūsaku (Founder of Hokushin Ittō-ryū)
- Takano Sazaburo (A key developer of modern swordsmanship).
Takano, as a well known educator, was able to introduce swordsmanship into the public school system in Japan and was instrumental to the development of the Nihon Kendo Kata.
Kogen Ittō-ryū
editKogen Ittō-ryū (
This is Ryūnosuke Tsukue's sword school in the 1966 historical drama The Sword of Doom (
Hokushin Ittō-ryū
editHokushin Ittō-ryū (
Ittō Shōden Mutō-ryū
editIttō Shōden Mutō-ryū (
Tadanari-ha Ittō-ryū
editTadanari-ha (Chuya-ha) Ittō-ryū (
Tenshin Ittō-ryū
editTenshin Ittō-ryū (
References
editFurther reading
edit- De Lange, William 2012. Famous Samurai: Ono Tadaaki. Floating World Editions. ISBN 978-1-891640-68-1
- Draeger, Donn. 1973. Classical Budo. The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, 2. New York & Tokyo: Weatherhill. ISBN 0-8348-0234-1
- Skoss, Diane (Editor). 1997. Koryu Bujutsu. Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan, volume 1. New Jersey, Koryu Books. ISBN 1-890536-04-0
- Skoss, Diane (Editor). 2002. Keiko Shokon. Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan, volume 3. Koryu Books. ISBN 1-890536-06-7
- Sugawara, Makoto (1988). Lives of Master Swordsmen. The East Publication. ISBN 4-915645-17-7.
- Sasamori, Junzo. 1986. Ittô-ryû Gokui. Taiku Sports. ISBN 978-4-88458-270-8.
- Sasamori, Junzo. 2023. Secrets of Ittô-ryû - Book One. Alkaid Research LLC. ISBN 979-8-9872421-0-0.
- Sasamori, Takemi. 2016. Bushido and Christianity. Reigakudo Press. ISBN 978-1533476678.
- Official website of the Ono-ha Ittô-ryû (Hombu-Dôjô Japan)
- Official website of the Ono-ha Ittô-ryû (Branch Dôjô for the United States)
- One on One with Sasamori Sensei (Ono-ha Itto Ryu) Part One
- One on One with Sasamori Sensei (Ono-ha Itto Ryu) Part Two: Ono-ha Itto Ryu and True Perfection
- One on One with Sasamori Sensei (Ono-ha Itto Ryu) Part Three: Teaching and Learning
- Official website of the Hokushin Ittô-ryû Hyôhô (Hombu-Dôjô Japan)
- Official website of the Hokushin Ittô-ryû Hyôhô (Hombu-Dôjô Europa)
- Official website of the Hokushin Ittô-ryû Hyôhô (Dôkôkai Switzerland)