Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū


Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū is a Japanese sword art school and one of the most widely practiced schools of iai in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back from the sixteenth century to the early 20th century. 17th undisputed headmaster, Oe Masamichi, awarded at least 16 licenses of full transmission, resulting in the school fracturing into multiple legitimate branches.
The school takes its name from its seventh headmaster, Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Hidenobu, who had founded Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. ‘Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū’ means ‘peerless, directly transmitted school of Eishin.’ ‘Eishin’ is an alternative pronunciation of ‘Hidenobu.’

History

The founder of the earlier school Eishin-ryū was Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu. Hayashizaki was born in Dewa Province, Ōshū. He lived c. 1546–1621 in what is present-day Kanagawa Prefecture. Many of the historical details of Hayashizaki's life are suspect, since, like most famous martial artists in Japan, his story has been widely fictionalized. It seems that he grew up during a time of constant warfare in Japan and was exposed to sword-fighting methods from an early age. According to legend, Hayashizaki's father was killed and to take revenge he began training in earnest. He went to the Hayashizaki Meijin shrine to pray for guidance and received divine inspiration for a new technique of drawing the sword and attacking in one movement. Legend says that he eventually defeated his father's killer.
Following this, Hayashizaki continued on his martial arts pilgrimage, training with renowned swordsmen and attracting students of his own. Hayashizaki established his own style of swordsmanship, calling it Shinmei Musō-ryū.
Hayashizaki's art has had many names since it was established, such as Hayashizaki-ryū or Jūshin ryu. It is considered the foundation for many of the major styles of iai practised today, in particular Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū and Musō Shinden-ryū.
The seventh generation sōke of Hayashizaki's school, Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Hidenobu, was one of its most important headmasters. He had a major influence on the school. In particular, he adapted techniques originally developed for the tachi to use the contemporary katana. He devised many new techniques, some of which now form the Tatehiza no Bu set. Hasegawa's influence and adaptation led to the style being named Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. It was also referred to as Hasegawa-ryū or simply Eishin-ryū.
Some regard Hasegawa as the primary founder of Eishin-ryū, which would make him the first generation sōke rather than the seventh, and make Shinmei Musō-ryū a parent school of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū.
The ninth generation sōke was Hayashi Rokudayū Morimasa. Hayashi introduced a set of techniques executed from the formal seated position seiza. These techniques are thought to have been developed by Hayashi's kenjutsu teacher, the Shinkage-ryū swordsman Ōmori Rokurōzaemon, and are said to be influenced by Ogasawara-ryū etiquette, hence starting from seiza. They were taught alongside Eishin-ryū as Ōmori-ryū. Hayashi was responsible for introducing the school to the Tosa Domain at the behest of the ruling Yamauchi family.
As the school took root in Tosa, it came to be referred to as Tosa Eishin-ryū. Eishin-ryū and Ōmori-ryū were taught to the Yamauchi family, with a few peculiarities.
After the death of the 11th headmaster, Ōguro Motozaemon, the school split into two branches. They later became known as the Tanimura-ha and Shimomura-ha.
One of the most important sōke was the seventeenth, Ōe Masaji. Born in Asahi Tosa in 1852, in his youth Ōe studied Kokuri-ryū and Oishi Shinkage-ryū kenjutsu, along with Shimomura-ha Eishin-ryū. At the age of 15 he took part in the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, following which he studied Tanimura-ha Eishin-ryū under Gotō Magobei. He also studied Eishin-ryū bōjutsu under Itagaki Taisuke. Ōe inherited leadership of the Tanimura-ha, becoming its 17th headmaster. He combined the school's teachings with those of the Shimomura-ha and restructured its curriculum. Ōe reduced the number of from around 160, and reorganized them into the Seiza, Tachihiza, Okuiai and kumitachi waza sets practised today. Although he retained the original techniques, he changed the names of some waza to aid understanding. Ōe named the reorganised school Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū, during the Taishō era. In 1900 he began teaching kendo and Eishin-ryū at the Kōchi branch of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and at local schools. In 1924 he became the second person to be awarded hanshi in iaidō by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. Ōe died at Enokuchi on April 18, 1926. His many students went on to spread Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū iai beyond Tosa and throughout Japan. 60 years after his death a memorial stone was raised to honour him on Mt Godaisan.

Lineage

Eishin-ryū uses a system of indiscriminate transmission, allowing anyone in possession of full-transmission to award licenses to any number of his students. Therefore, it is possible that there were multiple, unlisted holders of menkyo kaiden, known in Eishin-ryū as Kongen no Maki, in any generation. Due in part to Ōe Masaji's more open and inclusive approach to teaching Eishin-ryū, the lineages of groups practicing the art are fairly diverse and complex.

Seitō (orthodox) lineage

Following Kōno Hyakuren's death, the lineage of Eishin-ryu became contested again, with several individuals claiming to be the most senior representative. Who people consider sōke generally depends on the organization to which they belong. Some consider Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū to no longer have a sōke.
In addition to groups claiming to continue the above lineage, there are some branches of Eishin-ryū that trace their lineage back to students of Ōe Masaji other than Hokiyama Namio, and which regard their leaders as the most senior member of the school.
There are a number of lines of transmission with direct links to Ōe Masaji but which do not make claims to hold leadership of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū.

Students of Ōe Masaji, further lineage

Ōe Masaji had many students who went on to spread Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū throughout Japan. Some established their own branches. Seventeen of Ōe's most influential students, some with the branches they established, are listed below. This list is not inclusive. Some of these students were presented with menkyo kaiden although the exact number Ōe awarded is unknown. Most Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū taught today traces its lineage back to one or more of these men.
The techniques of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū are broken up into sets based on the principal starting position of the and by skill level. The majority of the study is focused on these solo waza.
Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū has 45 solo waza and 45 paired waza; some of these paired waza are rarely taught. Certain lines contain additional waza, grouped under Bangai no Bu.

Solo waza

Solo waza use a single long sword.

Seiza no bu (Shoden)

The word shoden can be translated as ‘entry-transmission.’ This set of techniques was derived from Ōmori-ryū, and is still often referred to as “Ōmori-ryū.” It is the first set of techniques taught. Seiza no Bu waza are performed from seiza, a formal kneeling position, with the general exception of Oikaze, which often begins standing.
Seiza no bu contains the following techniques:
  1. 前 Mae
  2. 右 Migi
  3. 左 Hidari
  4. 後 Ushiro
  5. 八重垣 Yaegaki
  6. 受流 Ukenagashi
  7. 介錯 Kaishaku
  8. 附込 Tsukekomi
  9. 月影 Tsukikage
  10. 追風 Oikaze
  11. 抜打 Nukiuchi

    Tatehiza no bu (Chūden)

The word chūden can be translated as ‘middle-transmission.’ This set was derived from techniques created by Hasegawa Eishin and is still commonly referred to as "Eishin-ryū." It is the second set of techniques taught. Tatehiza no bu waza are performed from tatehiza, a half-seated position, with the exception of Makkō.
Tatehiza no bu contains the following techniques:
  1. 横雲 Yokogumo
  2. 虎一足 Toraissoku
  3. 稲妻 Inazuma
  4. 浮雲 Ukigumo
  5. 颪 Oroshi
  6. 岩波 Iwanami
  7. 鱗返 Urokogaeshi
  8. 波返 Namigaeshi
  9. 瀧落 Takiotoshi
  10. 真向 Makkō

    Okuiai Iwaza no Bu (Okuden)

The word Okuden can be translated as ‘inner transmission,’ or ‘secret transmission.’ The Okuden sets contain advanced-level techniques. Okuiai Iwaza are performed from tatehiza. Okuiai Iwaza no Bu contains the following techniques:
  1. 霞 Kasumi
  2. 脛囲 Sunegakoi
  3. 戸詰 Tozume
  4. 戸脇 Towaki
  5. 四方切 Shihōgiri
  6. 棚下 Tanashita
  7. 両詰 Ryōzume
  8. 虎走 Torabashiri

    Okuiai Tachiwaza no Bu (Okuden)

Okuiai Tachiwaza are performed from a standing position, with the exception of the three Itamagoi waza, which start from seiza.
Okuiai Tachiwaza no Bu contains the following techniques:
  1. 行連 Yukizure
  2. 連達 Tsuredachi
  3. 惣捲 Sō Makuri
  4. 惣留 Sō Dome
  5. 信夫 Shinobu
  6. 行違 Yukichigai
  7. 袖摺返 Sode Surigaeshi
  8. 門入 Mon'iri
  9. 壁添 Kabezoe
  10. 受流 Ukenagashi
  11. 暇乞其の一 Itomagoi Sono Ichi
  12. 暇乞其の二 Itomagoi Sono Ni
  13. 暇乞其の三 Itomagoi Sono San

    Bangai no Bu (Okuden)

Bangai are extended tachiwaza. These waza are not koryū, but were created by Ōe Masamichi, along with the Katate Hayanuki exercise.
Bangai no bu contains the following waza, performed from a standing position.
  1. 速浪 Hayanami
  2. 雷電 Raiden
  3. 迅雷 Jinrai
In addition to variations of Hayanami and Raiden, some lines contain additional Bangai waza.3
Komei-Juku practices the following set of five bangai kata in addition to the
aforementioned three:
  1. Mae
  2. Aranami
  3. Kesaguruma
  4. Takiguruma
  5. Tatsumaki
Kokusai Nippon Budo Kai formerly JKI practices one additional bangai kata in addition to the aforementioned mentioned three:
4.鬼 Akuma Barai

Paired Waza (Kumitachi)

Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū's paired waza are often taught only to advanced students after years of study. Some of these sets are rarely seen outside of Japan. Some ryuha have the first set as part of their yudansha curriculum. There is a high incidence of grappling, striking, and disarms in these paired sets. Some waza use both long and short swords.
Some waza begin with swords drawn; others begin with swords sheathed and employ nukitsuke techniques. Typically these forms are practiced using bokutō; however, it is also practiced at high levels with shinken.
Each of these katachi was created to promote practice of a key principle of Eishin Ryu under controlled yet reasonably realistic conditions.

Tachi Uchi no Kurai

Tachi Uchi no Kurai is first kumitachi waza set in Eishin-ryū. Both practitioners use a single long sword. The techniques are performed from a standing position.
There are two versions of this set: the original set of 10 waza and the revised set of 7 waza formulated by Ōe Masamichi. These two sets contain similar techniques.
Tachi Uchi no Kurai (Koryū)
This version of the set contains the following 10 techniques:
  1. 出合 Deai
  2. 附込 Tsukekomi
  3. 請流 Ukenagashi
  4. 請込 Ukekomi
  5. 月影 Tsukikage
  6. 水月刀 Suigetsutō
  7. 絶妙剣 Zetsumyōken
  8. 独妙剣 Dokumyōken
  9. 心明剣 Shinmyōken
  10. 打込 Uchikomi
    Tachi Uchi no Kurai (Kata devised by Ōe Masaji)
This version of the set contains the following 7 techniques:
  1. 出合 Deai
  2. 拳取 Kobushitori
  3. 絶妙剣 Zetsumyōken
  4. 独妙剣 Dokumyōken
  5. 鍔留 Tsubadome
  6. 請流 Ukenagashi
  7. 真方 Mappō

    Tsume Ai no Kurai

Tsume Ai no Kurai is the second kumitachi waza set in Eishin-ryū. Both practitioners use a single long sword. The set includes the following techniques, performed from tatehiza and standing positions:
  1. 発早 Hassō
  2. 拳取 Kobushitori
  3. 波返 Namigaeshi
  4. 八重垣 Yaegaki
  5. 鱗返 Urokogaeshi
  6. 位弛 Kurai Yurumi
  7. 燕返 Tsubame Gaeshi
  8. 眼関落 Ganseki Otoshi
  9. 水月刀 Suigetsutō
  10. 霞剣 Kasumi Ken
The following kumitachi sets are rare but are still taught in some dojo.

Daishō Zume

Daishō Zume is the third of the kumitachi sets. Shidachi wears an ōdachi and uchidachi wears a kodachi. The set contains the following techniques, which start from tatehiza and seiza.
  1. 抱詰 Dakizume
  2. 骨防 Koppō
  3. 柄留 Tsukadome
  4. 小手留 Kotedome
  5. 胸捕 Munatori
  6. 右伏 Migifuse
  7. 左伏 Hidarifuse
  8. 山形詰 Yamagatazume

    Daishō Tachi Zume

Daishō Tachi Zume is the fourth of the kumitachi sets. Shidachi wears an ōdachi and uchidachi wears a kodachi. The set contains the following techniques, which start from a standing position.
  1. 〆捕 Shimetori
  2. 袖摺返 Sode Surigaeshi
  3. 鍔打返 Tsuba Uchikaeshi
  4. 骨防返 Koppōgaeshi
  5. 蜻蛉返 Tonbōgaeshi
  6. 乱曲 Rankyoku
  7. 移り Utsuri

    Daikentori

Daikentori is the fifth kumitachi set and contains ten waza. The first four waza are kodachi vs. ōdachi, while the next six are ōdachi vs. ōdachi.
  1. 無剣 Muken
  2. 水石 Suiseki
  3. 外石 Gaiseki
  4. 鉄石 Tesseki
  5. 榮眼 Eigan
  6. 榮月 Eigetsu
  7. 山風 Yamakaze
  8. 橇橋 Sorihashi
  9. 雷電 Raiden
  10. 水月 Suigetsu

    Techniques added by Kōno Hyakuren

Kōno Hyakuren, the 20th sōke of Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū, added two sets of additional waza, called Dai Nippon Battō Hō. The Battō Hō are based on techniques from throughout the system, but are performed starting in a standing position. As these waza were added in the 20th century, they are not considered to be koryū.
Eishin-ryū lineages without a connection to Kōno Hyakuren do not generally practise these techniques. Therefore, these waza are only included in some lines of transmission.

Dai Nippon Battō Hō (大日本抜刀法), Kihon (基本)

  1. 順刀其の一 Juntō Sono Ichi
  2. 順刀其の二 Juntō Sono Ni
  3. 追撃刀 Tsuigekitō
  4. 斜刀 Shatō
  5. 四方刀其の一 Shihōtō Sono Ichi
  6. 四方刀其の二 Shihōtō Sono Ni
  7. 斬突刀 Zantotsutō

    Dai Nippon Battō Hō (大日本抜刀法), Oku (奥)

These waza begin using the Okuiai walking pattern.
  1. 前敵逆刀 Zenteki Gyakutō
  2. 多敵刀 Tatekitō
  3. 後敵逆刀 Kōteki Gyakutō
  4. 後敵抜打 Kōteki Nukiuchi

    Auxiliary arts

In his book Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū Iai Heihō Chi no Maki, Masaoka Katsutane states that there were once two auxiliary arts practised alongside Tosa Eishin-ryū.

Itabashi-ryū Bojutsu

This subsumed art focused on the bō, or long staff. It featured 5 kata of bō vs. bō and 8 kata of bō vs. sword.

Natsubara-ryū Yawara

This subsumed art focused on grappling techniques in a variety of circumstances: standing, kneeling, from behind, etc. The school was divided into 6 sets with 63 kata. Natsubara-ryū seems to be no longer extant.
In addition to the bojutsu and yawara, Masaoka's book also makes mention of other techniques, such as torinawa and jōjutsu.

Footnotes