Nihon Kobudo Kyokai 30th Anniversary

Introduction

In Japan there are two prestigious classical martial arts organizations: the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (Japanese Classical Martial Arts Association) and the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai (Society for the Promotion of Japanese Classical Martial Arts). Most well-recognized schools are member of at least one (sometimes both) of these associations. For instance, Hontai Yoshin-ryu, the school I belong to, is a member of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (part of the Nihon Budokan). Nevertheless a small number of koryu have chosen not to be member of either organization.

In February, 2009, the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai held its 32nd event in Tokyo and also celebrated its 30th anniversary.

The author and two other members of the Belgian dojo among the participants in the 32nd Embu taikai of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai

The Nihon Kobudo Kyokai has strict guidelines for members entering into their association. In addition to traditions we would consider to be Japanese koryu in the strictest sense, the association also includes Ryukyu no bujutsu, a section with representatives of schools originating in the Ryukyu islands (an island group southwest of Kyushu; Okinawa is the largest of the islands).

The association is especially known for its yearly event, a classical martial arts demonstration in Japan. Co-sponsored by the Nihon Budokan, the demonstration occurs annually at the Nihon Budokan in Tokyo, or occasionally at other venues around Japan. Schools demonstrate by invitation only, and most members participate once every other year.

Together with my friends Frederic and Alain, I have already had the pleasure of accompanying members of the sohonbu dojo of Hontai Yoshin-ryu to participate in the 30th event (held in Kumamoto) and twice in another event recognized by the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai: the yearly demonstration in Myajima (in the prestigious Itsukushima shrine). We also were fortunate to participate in the 32nd event in Tokyo.

During the 30th anniversary reception, which was held the day before the demonstration, the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai released the anniversary catalogue “30 Years History of the Japan Kobudo Association.”

Nihon Kobudo Kyokai
Nihon Kobudo Kyokai

The 30th anniversary reception of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai

The demonstration in February 2009 marked the organization’s 30th anniversary. The event was somewhat different from previous years, since demonstrations were divided into categories: first kenjutsu, followed by jujutsu and so on. However, the event started with a ritual kyujutsu demonstration (momoteshiki, performed to dispel evil spirits and therefore a good beginning for an anniversary event) by members of Ogasawara-ryu.

Ogasawara-ryu opened the 32nd Embu taikai

The demonstrating schools in the 32nd Embu Taikai will be covered in much more detail separately, but to conclude, I have listed all the schools that are recognized by the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai. The order of the schools is the one used by the association itself (as listed in the catalogue of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai, edited for this anniversary). It starts with jujutsu, followed by kenjutsu, iaijutsu, sojutsu, jo and bojutsu, naginatajutsu and so on.

Nihon Kobudo Kyokai: list of schools (February 2009):

  1. Ryushin Katchu-ryu Jujutsu (柳心介冑流柔術)
  2. Shosho-ryu Yawara (諸賞流和)
  3. Iga-ryu Ha Katsushin-ryu Jujutsu (為我流派勝新流柔術)
  4. Kiraku-ryu Jujutsu (気楽流柔術)
  5. Tenjin Shinyo-ryu Jujutsu 1 (天神真楊流柔術)
  6. Tenjin Shinyo-ryu Jujutsu 2 (天神真楊流柔術)
  7. Hasegawa-ryu Yawarajutsu (長谷川流和術)
  8. Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu (大東流合気術)
  9. Kito-ryu Jujutsu (起倒流柔術)
  10. Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Takumakai (大東流合気柔術琢磨会)
  11. Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu (渋川流柔術)
  12. Shingetsu Muso Yanagi-ryu Jujutsu (心月無想柳流柔術)
  13. Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu (本體楊心流柔術)
  14. Takagi-ryu Jujutsu • Kukishin-ryu bojutsu (高木流柔術 • 九鬼神流棒術)
  15. Sekiguchi Shin Shin-ryu Jujutsu (関口新心流柔術)
  16. Takenouchi-ryu Jujutsu Koshi-no-mawari Kogusoku (竹内流 柔術腰廻小具足)
  17. Takenouchi-ryu Jujutsu Hinoshita Toride Kaisan (竹内流 柔術日下 捕手 開山)
  18. Shibukawa Ichi-ryu Jujutsu (渋川一流柔術)
  19. Bokuden-ryu Kenjutsu (卜傳流剣術)
  20. Mizoguchi-ha Itto-ryu Kenjutsu (溝口派一刀流剣術)
  21. Hokushin Itto-ryu Kenjutsu (北辰一刀流剣術)
  22. Kashima Shinto-ryu Kenjutsu (鹿島新當流剣術)
  23. Kogen Itto-ryu Kenjutsu (甲源一刀流剣術)
  24. Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu Kenjutsu (天真正伝香取神道流剣術)
  25. Tatsumi-ryu Heiho (立身流兵法)
  26. Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu (鹿島神傳直心影流)
  27. Ono-ha Itto-ryu Kenjutsu (小野派一刀流剣術)
  28. Shindo Munen-ryu Kenjutsu (神道無念流剣術)
  29. Kurama-ryu Kenjutsu (鞍馬流 剣術)
  30. Tennen Rishin-ryu Kenjutsu (天然理心流剣術)
  31. Yagyu Shinkage-ryu Heiho Kenjutsu (柳生新陰流兵法剣術)
  32. Shingyoto-ryu Kenjutsu (心形刀流剣術)
  33. Shojitsu Kenri Kataichi-ryu Kenjutsu (初實剣理方一流剣術)
  34. Heiho Niten Ichi-ryu Kenjutsu (兵法二天一流剣術)
  35. Noda-ha Niten Ichi-ryu Kenjutsu (野田派ニ天一流剣術)
  36. Unko-ryu Kenjutsu (雲弘流剣術)
  37. Taisha-ryu Kenjutsu (タイ捨流剣術)
  38. Jigen-ryu Hyoho Kenjutsu (示現流兵法剣術)
  39. Nodachi Jigen-ryu Kenjutsu (野太刀自顕流剣術)
  40. Hayashizaki Muso ryu iaijutsu (林崎夢想流居合術)
  41. Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu (無雙直傳英信流居合術)
  42. Tamiya-ryu Iaijutsu (田宮流居合術)
  43. Suio-ryu Iai Kenpo (水鷗流 居合 剣法)
  44. Hoki-ryu Iaijutsu (伯耆流 居合術)
  45. Enshin-ryu Iai Suemonogiri Kenpo (円心流居合据物斬剣法)
  46. Kanshin-ryu Iaijutsu (貫心流居合術)
  47. Shojitsu Kenri Kataichi-ryu Katchu Battojutsu (初実剣理方一流甲冑抜刀術)
  48. Kanemaki-ryu Battojutsu (鐘捲流抜刀術)
  49. Sekiguchi-ryu Battojutsu (関口流抜刀術)
  50. Owari Kan-ryu Sojutsu (尾張貫流槍術)
  51. Fuden-ryu Sojutsu (風伝流槍術)
  52. Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha Sojutsu (宝蔵院流高田派槍術)
  53. Saburi-ryu Sojutsu (佐分利流槍術)
  54. Muhi Muteki-ryu Jojutsu (無比無敵流杖術)
  55. Shindo Muso-ryu Jojutsu (神道夢想流杖術)
  56. Chikubujima-ryu Bojutsu (竹生島流棒術)
  57. Toda-ha Buko-ryu Naginatajutsu (戸田派武甲流薙刀術)
  58. Tendo-ryu Naginatajutsu (天道流薙刀術)
  59. Jikishinkage-ryu Naginatajutsu (直心影流薙刀術)
  60. Yoshin-ryu Naginatajutsu (楊心流薙刀術)
  61. Higo koryu Naginata (肥後古流薙刀)
  62. Ryukyu Kobujutsu (琉球古武術)
  63. Wado-ryu Jujutsu Kenpo (和道流柔術拳法)
  64. Itosu-ryu Karate (糸州流空手)
  65. Ryukyu oke Hiden Motobu Udonde (琉球王家秘伝武術本部御殿手)
  66. Kingai-ryu Karate Okinawa Kobujutsu (金硬流唐手沖縄古武術)
  67. Okinawa Goju-ryu Bujutsu (沖縄剛柔流武術)
  68. Yagyu Shingan-ryu Katchu Heiho (柳生心眼流甲胄兵法)
  69. Yagyu Shingan-ryu daijutsu (柳生心眼流體術)
  70. Seki-ryu Hojutsu (関流砲術)
  71. Morishige-ryu Hojutsu (森重流砲術)
  72. Yo-ryu Hojutsu (陽流砲術)
  73. Araki-ryu Kenpo (荒木流拳法)
  74. Araki-ryu Gunyo Kogusoku (荒木流軍用小具足)
  75. Negishi-ryu Shurikenjutsu (根岸流手裏剣術)
  76. Ogasawara-ryu Kyubajutsu (小笠原流弓馬術)
  77. Nito Shinkage-ryu Kusarikamajutsu (二刀神影流鎖鎌術)
  78. Takeda-ryu Aiki no jutsu (武田流合気之術)

Copyright ©2009 Guy Buyens. All rights reserved.