The tradition of Yakuro Saito, Kogoro Katsura , Yasuke Busshoji and other distinguished swordsmen.
The martial art of Sword Saint Hakudo Nakayama

One of the three major schools of the Bakumatsu period
A sword tradition followed by prominent swordsmen

Founded by Hiemon Fukui, Shinto Munen-ryu is the style of Bakumatsu sword master Yakuro Saito of the Renpeikan dojo. This DVD documents numerous invaluable kata preserved by the “Sword Saint Nakayama Hakudo Sensei Traditional Martial Arts Preservation Society Yushinkan” (directed by Takeshi Ogawa) an organization that preserves the spirit and techniques of this tradition which produced eminent figures like Kogoro Katsura and Yasuke Busshoji.

Yushinkan is a kendo dojo established in Tokyo’s Kanda area in 1885 by Shingoro Negishi, who received full mastery (kaiden) at the Renpeikan. It was later inherited by the revered “Sword Saint” Hakudo Nakayama and his son, Zendo.

[Introduction 1: Shinto Munen-ryu History]
[Introduction 2: About Yushinkan]
■ Shoden (5 Kata)
■ Chuden (7 Kata)
■ Joden (11 Kata)
■ Goka Gokyo (5 kata)
■ Hiuchi (10 kata)
■ Tachi Iai Juniken (12 Kata)

Supervision: Takeshi Ogawa, 10th-generation head of Shinto Munen-ryu (5th generation of the Kanto Branch), Director of Yushinkan

Born in 1945, he received licenses in Shinto Munen-ryu kenjutsu, Shinto Muso-ryu jojutsu, Shinmuto-ryu, and Muso Shinden-ryu battojutsu from the 8th-generation head, Zendo Nakayama. Currently serving as the Director of the “Sword Saint Nakayama Hakudo Sensei Traditional Martial Arts Preservation Society Yushinkan”, he has devoted himself to the further development of the tradition and the training of its students. He is also Executive Director of the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai (Japan Kobudo Promotion Society).

Demonstration: Takeshi Ogawa, Hiroyuki Nakajima (Menkyo), Kentaro Shirosaki (Jun Menkyo), Shigehiko Kakegawa, Natsuki Higuchi, Shintaro Shinmei, Haruhisa Yoshida, Katsuya Shibata, Kenji Ooki

With the collaboration of the Sword Saint Nakayama Hakudo Sensei Traditional Martial Arts Preservation Society Yushinkan