Tora Kyojo
Shinkageryu Hyoho Marobashikai Tora Kyojo (Tora Kyojo) is a training location of Japanese swordsmanship Shinkageryu Hyoho[1] founded by the legendary swordsman Kamiizumi Isenokami Nobutsuna (1508–1579).[2] The training location participates in a network of training locations recognized by Shinkageryu Hyoho swordsmanship in Japan. [3] Tora Kyojo is operated under the direction of current Shinkageryu Hyoho grand masters Watanabe Tadashige (22nd) Sensei and Watanabe Tadahisa (23rd) Sensei.
The Road to Founding
The Shinkageryu Hyoho Marobashikai was founded by Tadashige Watanabe (current 22nd head master) in 1969. Tadashige was one of the high-ranking trainees of Shinkageryu Hyoho, instructed initially by Toshinaga Yagyu and his father Tadatoshi Watanabe, the highest position of trainer and the named successor by Toshinaga Yagyu. The Tora Kyojo (former Tora Shibu) was recognized as an official branch of Shinkageryu Hyoho Marobashikai by grand masters Watanabe Tadashige (22nd) Sensei and Watanabe Tadahisa (23rd) Sensei in March 2017 in Japan. Kazuyoshi Umehara was appointed as the first branch manager. Upon returning from Umehara's trip from Japan to the US, the Shinkageryu Hyoho Marobashikai Tora Shibu (branch) was founded in Rochelle Park, New Jersey.
In January 2019, (after the 50th anniversary of Marobashikai) Shinkageryu Hyoho Marobashikai was transformed into the social gathering network of Shinkageryu Hyoho Marobashikai fellows.
Due to this transformation, Marobashikai was reorganized into the Shinkageryu Hyoho Ichimon system.
As a result, Tora Shibu (branch) was renamed as Tora Kyojo (a part of the network of training locations of the Shinkageryu Hyoho Ichimon system).
Currently, the Shinkageryu Hyoho Ichimon is run by the both grand masters Watanabe Tadashige (22nd) Sensei and Watanabe Tadahisa (23rd) Sensei and places the headquarters in Kawagoe, Saitama prefecture. Kyojo, official practice locations, are established in Japan, Poland, Russia, and the United States.
Historical Timeline
| 2017 March | Founded in Rochelle Park, New Jersey, as Marobashikai Tora Shibu (branch) |
| 2018 September | Participated in the 50th anniversary events of Marobashikai in Japan |
| 2019 January | Due to the transformation from Marobashikai to Shinkageryu Hyoho Ichimon system, the official name had changed from Tora Shibu to Tora Kyojo |
| 2020 February | Suspended official practice sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in February. Outdoor practices resumed in late summer. |
| 2020 October | Indoor practice was relocated and resumed at Dover, New Jersey, in October. |
| 2021 January | New Year event was held in Dover, New Jersey. |
| 2021 July | Summer camp was held in Teaneck, New Jersey. |
| 2021 September | Teaneck was added as an official training location. |
| 2022 January | New Year event is planned in Teaneck, New Jersey. |
| 2022 March | Celebrate the 5th year anniversary. |
Feature of Training and Practice
Adopted training style is called ichimon sei (一門制), a traditional Japanese style of acquiring knowledge and skill in classical art. This training style is intended to maintain a lifetime relationship between a head master and a trainee (student) and sets the goal to commend and spread the legacies of the founder, Kamiizumi Isenokami Nobutsuna.[2]
The main training tool is the "Fukuro-shinai", which is a split bamboo stick covered with a fitted leather bag, to significantly reduce shock upon impact of a strike. The Fukuro-shinai enabled trainers to stay away from injuries during training, and opened the door for practice regardless of age and gender. It was invented by the founder in the 16th century in Japan, dramatically changed swordsmanship practice since its introduction, and is still used today.
Training is typically conducted by a pair of instructor and trainee following Kata, a predefined sequence of movements, where both physical and philosophical understanding of the principle, "Marobashi", is studied and exercised.
References
- ↑ Shinkage-ryū
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kamiizumi Nobutsuna Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name ":0" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 新陰流兵法転会 教場紹介 海外（アメリカ、ニュージャージー州）Shinkageryu Hyoho Marobashikai Kyojo Shokai, Kaigai (USA, New Jersey)[1]
Further reading
Watanabe, Tadashige & Balsom, Ronald (1993). Shinkage-ryu Sword Techniques Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Vol. 1. Tokyo: Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Inc. ISBN 0-87040-887-9
Watanabe, Tadashige & Balsom, Ronald (1993). Shinkage-ryu Sword Techniques Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Vol. 2. Tokyo: Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Inc. ISBN 0-87040-926-3
Sugawara, Makoto (1988). Lives of Master Swordsmen. The East Publication. ISBN 4-915645-17-7
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