Ryushin Shouchi Ryu
(柳心照智流)

 

Date founded: 2006

Country of origin: Japan

 

Founder: Kawabata Terutaka  河端 照孝

Current head: Yahagi Kunikazu  矢作 訓一

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Arts taught: Iaijutsu

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Many of the kata of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu are based on the techniques of Tenshinsho Jigen-ryu.  Tenshinsho Jigen-ryu is a school of ancient martial arts centered on Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu and was founded by Tose (Kose) Yosazaemon Osamune (later Seotguchi Bizen no Kami Masato) in the 5th year of Eisho (1508), during the Muromachi period.

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According to tradition within the school, the existence of Tenshinsho Jigen-ryu was kept secret, and its existence was confirmed nearly 400 years later, during the Meiji period.  After the Meiji Restoration, Tenshinsho Jigen-ryu, which had been passed down in secret since its founding, was inherited by the 27th headmaster Ueno Genshin family and opened its doors to the public.

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In 1964, the Sogo Martial Arts Shobukan was opened in Asakusa, Tokyo.  Ueno Genshin Soke taught Tenshinsho Jigen-ryu to his students (including our founder, Kawabata Shihan) until 1968.  After the death of Ueno Genshin Soke, Terutaka Kawabata continued his training in swordmanship and established the Seiseikan in Akabane, Tokyo.  In 2006, he founded Ryushin Jigen Ryu.  In 2008, Mr. Kawabata’s best student, Mr. Kunikazu Yahagi, became the second headmaster (soke) of Ryushin Jigen Ryu.

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The philosophy of the Ryushin Shouchi Ryu entails cultivating the mind and conditioning the body through rigorous training for the purpose of improving the self rather than killing an enemy. This concept is more commonly known as fudoshin (immovable mind), which refers to a state of psychological and spiritual equanimity. In 2011, to clarify the purpose of the school, based on this reasoning, the name Ryushin Shouchi Ryu was selected by the founder, Kawabata Terutaka. Ryushin means “Mind or Heart of the Willow tree,” and invokes the image of a tree which does not lose its leaves even in winter; while Shouchi can be translated as “shining wisdom.” Together, these characters convey the sense of “establishing in the world an unmovable wisdom and everyday mind by means of a strong yet flexible body and spirit.” Ryushin Shouchi Ryu also takes part in the Annual Kobudo Dedication Demonstrations (Kobudo Hono Embu Taikai) at Katori Shrine every year; an event that has been taking place for over 25 years.

 

KUNIKAZU YAHAGI, SHUSEKI SHIHAN

Yahagi Kunikazu, the second headmaster (soke) of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu and our chief technician (Shuseki Shihan), was born in Kastsushika-ku, Tokyo in 1948. As a child, Yahagi was inspired by his grandfather, whom he visited regularly, and who had 2 sets of antique kendo bogu (armor) on display in his home. Yahagi was introduced to kendo by his uncle at the age of 10 and commenced his kendo training in elementary school. He also trained in Judo from the age of 12, an art in which he later went on to earn the rank of 2 DAN at the Kodokan. He would continue his martial studies through his formative years, and at the age of 30, he entered the NCR dojo (now the Nihon Zaidan Building) in Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, which was then under the authority of Kawabata Terutaka. After nearly 30 years of diligent training under the tutelage of Kawabata, Yahagi was licensed by the International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) as a Kobudo Hanshi 8 DAN and later succeeded in becoming a director for IMAF. This would mark the beginning of Yahagi’s international teaching career. In 2008 Yahagi became the second headmaster of the Ryushin Shouchi Ryu.  In 2022, Yahagi took on the role of the organization’s chief technician (Shuseki Shihan).

In addition to his Ryushin Shouchi Ryu training, Yahagi continues his studies in Kendo and currently holds the rank of Kyoshi 7 DAN from the All Japan Kendo Federation. Yahagi believes that Kendo is an essential component to the proper training of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu as it serves as a means to train the psychological and practical applications of the school.

 

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