HYO HO NITEN ICHI-RYU KENJUTSU


The Hyo Ho Niten Ichi-ryu (two heavens as one school) was developed by Miyamoto Musashi, author of the "Book of Five Rings" (Go Rin no Sho) and one of Japan's most famous swordsmen. The school dates from the early 1600s and its most distinctive feature is its concurrent use of both the long and short swords. The current headmaster of the school is Imai Masayuki judai.

There are three sets of practice, Itto Seiho (long sword against long), Kodachi Seiho (short sword against long) and Nito Seiho (two swords against long sword).

Participants in this course should be familiar with the use of the Japanese sword, but are not required to be knowledgeable with the Niten Ichi-ryu. The course will focus on the first set of practice, long sword against long, but participants will be exposed to the use of the short sword and the two sword practice. Emphasis will be on the basics of technique and the underlying concepts of the Japanese sword.

Requirements: Participants will require loose clothing and wooden practice swords. Swords will be available to participants for use during the course and may be purchased, if desired.
 
 

Kim Taylor

Kim Taylor is one of the organizers of the Guelph School of Japanese Sword Arts and is the chief instructor of the University of Guelph Sei Do Kai, a club which provides instruction in Iaido, Kendo, Niten Ichi-ryu and Jodo. He holds renshi 6th dan rank in iaido and 4th dan rank in jodo from the Canadian Kendo Federation (CKF) and is a member of the CKF Iaido and Jodo Grading committees, Vice President of the Ontario Kendo Federation, associate editor of the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Publisher of the Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences (EJMAS.com) and of the Journal of Japanese Sword Arts. He has authored several books and articles on the sword.

Taylor first received training in Niten Ichi-ryu from Mr. Matsuo Haruna 8 dan kyoshi, of Ohara Okayama. Haruna sensei was chief instructor of the Musashi Dojo in Ohara. He is now a student of the 10th soke, Imai Masayuki, and the 11th soke, Iwami Toshio.

Last modified May 29, 2004 by Kim Taylor
 
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