Hōzōin-ryū


Hōzōin-ryū is a traditional school of Japanese martial arts that specializes in the art of spearmanship. Hōzōin-ryū was founded by Hōzōin Kakuzenbō In'ei in c. 1560. In'ei was a Buddhist monk of Kōfuku-ji Temple in Nara, Japan. He adored martial arts and trained in the art of swordsmanship. At the same time, he was coached and mentored by Daizendayū Moritada, a master of the spear. Under this master's guidance, In'ei honed his spearmanship.
It is said that one evening, on seeing the reflection of the crescent moon shining on Sarusawa pond, he was inspired to create a spear with a cross-shaped spearhead. He imagined this style of spear would be more effective in fighting. With this new type of spear, he founded the Hōzōin-ryū.
Later, the teachings Hōzōin-ryū sōjutsu were passed down to other Buddhist monks of his order, including Hōzōin Inshun, Hōzōin Insei, Hōzōin Infū, Hōzōin Inken, Nakamura Naomasa and then Takada Matabei Yoshitsugu. The three best disciples of Takada went to Edo, present day Tokyo, to promote the art. Its reputation spread nationwide and the number of disciples increased. As martial art of Hōzōin-ryū sōjutsu was passed down from generation to generation, various new techniques as well as new dojo were created.
At the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, there were many masters of Hōzōin-ryū sōjutsu employed at the shogunate's martial arts training center. In the 19th century, the school was revived and updated thanks to Takeda Sokaku.
Eventually in 1976, Hōzōin-ryū sōjutsu returned to Nara. In 1991 Kagita Chubei was appointed the 20th headmaster and has been leading the Hōzōin-ryū sōjutsu school until his death on 16 December 2011. His successor and 21st headmaster is Junzo Ichiya.
An ancient Japanese poem expresses the spear of Hōzōin-ryū sōjutsu:
"It can be a spear to thrust. It can be a naginata to cleave. It can be a Kama to slash. In any case, it never fails to hit the target."