Yagyu Shinkage Ryu is a definitely one of the most well known and influencial Kenjutsu style. The founder Yagyu Muneyoshi was a well respected swordsman in Yagyu, now a part of Nara prefecture, western Japan. His life took a new turn when he met and challenged legendary
Kamiizumi Isenokami Nobutsuna, the founder of
Shinkage Ryu. Unable to even touch Nobutsuna, Muneyoshi decided to become his apprentice and soon became one of the top students. One of the "assignment" given to Muneyoshi was to perfect the technique of "Muto-dori" or sword take away techniques. After years of rigorous and dedicated training Munenori perfected the techniques and was choosen by Nobutsuna as a recepient of Shinkage Ryu. Muto-dori is considered to be an ultimate expression of Japanese Martial Arts ideal " Katsujin-ken"or "life-saving sword" as it only neutralizes the attacker by taking his weapon away, but not take his life. Shinkage Ryu is also characterized by its flowing, graceful moves and it is known that one of Muneyoshi's son, Munenori studied Japanese traditional dance called
Noh in depth and its smooth ,unpredictable movements were adopted as one of the fundamental principles of Yagyu Shinkage Ryu. The style's reputation begin to grow when Munenori became a Shogun Tokugawa Yeyasu's personal Kenjutsu instructor. It wasn't long till the style was selected as an official Kenjutsu style of Tokugawa Shogunate, great honour only to be followed by
Ono-ha Ittoryu.The style has been passed through generation of swordsmen and it is currently headed by the 22nd headmaster,Yagyu Toshinobu and it is one of the most widely practiced Kobudo/Koryu Bujutsu in Japan and abroad. Yagyu Shinkage Ryu bokken is slightly slimmer and longer than our standard bokken,representing the philospphy of the style which is to rely on finesse, rather than brute force. Avilable in either Japanese white oak or red oak, urethane coated. Variety of wood selection and finish available upon request.Length:101.5cm( approx 40"), weight: White oak=550grams ( approx 19.5oz), Red oak=440grams ( approx 15.5oz).
