Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu 柔術, is a traditional school of Jujutsu, founded in the early 17th century by Fukuno Shichirouemon Masakatsu.
Etymology
The 'Ryōi Shintō-ryū Denju Mokuroko' explains the meaning of Ryōi Shintō as follows: "The meaning of Ryōi Shintō-ryū is to shift your heart well, then you will encounter harmony." Alternatively, the 'Ryōi Shintō-ryū Ryakushi' records Fukuno as saying that: "Ryōi Shintō means to: skillfully apply the mind and strike with ease."
History
Together with the Takenouchi-ryū and the Yōshin-ryū, the Ryōi Shintō-ryū was one of the three largest, most important and influential Jūjutsu schools of the Edo period before the rise of Judo. It's descendant styles include: the Kitō-ryū Jūjutsu, Jikishin-ryū yawara jo and Ise Jitoku Tenshin-ryū Jūjutsu aka Jigō Tenshin-ryū Jūjutsu. Also, through its Kitō-ryū roots, Kōdōkan Jūdō can be seen as being partially descended from Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu. The 'Jigō Tenshin-ryū densho' states that: "For grappling on the battlefield, Ryōi Shintō-ryū is unequalled."
Fukuno Shichirouemon Masakatsu
Fukuno was born 1585 in Settsu, Naniwa and known as in his youth as 'Yuzen'. He studied with Yagyū Munetoshi of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū of Kenjutsu. Fukuno was a Meishu of Sumo and a Tatsujin of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū. Between 1626 - 1627, he also studied 'hoshu no jutsu’ with a Chinese monk called Chin Genpin 陳元贇 at the Kokushoji monastery in Azabu. The ‘Jujutsu Hottan - Fukuno Shichirouemon den” states that Fukuno: ".... was an intrepid character, with great strength, he lifted mighty bronze pots. He took pleasure in learning the techniques of Nomi no Sukune. Fukuno endured mental tortures and developed his physique, and after twenty years or so, he finally acquired mastery of Nomi no Sukune's techniques. People spoke of him admiringly. He fights with great strength and battles with great valour. With his technique, he defeats an opponent in barely a minute, or two. His determination is to fight to the death. His techniques are correct, who could deny him victory.
Meiji period
Later, in the ‘Meiji period’, Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsuka – Hansuke Nakamura was considered the toughest martial artist in Japan. In 1886, Nakamura fought a match against the famed Kōdōkan Judo champion Yokoyama Sakujiro, known as ‘Demon’ Yokoyama. Both men fought for 55 minutes, but as neither prevail the match was drawn. Nakamura was declared champion of East of Japan and Yokoyama champion of the West.
Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu 良移心当流 柔術 was brought to the UK in 1924 by Takeda Tatsu, who taught a number of students, including Peter Shortt, who taught his son James Shortt. Takaeda was followed in 1957 by another Ryōi Shintō-ryū teacher; Komito Kaizō. Komito also taught James Shortt’s and eventually awarded him 'Menkyo Kaiden'. Peter King began training in Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu with James Shortt in 1976 and was awarded Menkyo Kaiden免許皆伝 by Shortt Sensei in 1997.
In Japan
Ryōi Shintō-ryū demonstration for Japanese Crown Prince In 1985, James Shortt and Peter King had the honour of demonstrating Jūjutsu 柔術 for Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito 皇太子徳仁親王 at the Anjinkai Festival in London. Ryōi Shintō-ryū Taikai in Japan The 2009 Ryōi Shintō-ryū Taikai was held at 'The Budōkan', Sanbu City, Chiba-ken, Japan. This event was taught by James Shortt Sensei and was attended by participants from Japan, Europe and Australia. During this Taikai, Simon Bell, Osanai Hideto, & Aleksis Konoshonoks also received Menkyo Kaiden. Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu in contemporary Japan - As with many Koryū Jūjutsu styles, the main Sōke lines of the Ryōi Shintō-ryū are now believed to be lost, with only the Ise Jitoku Tenshin-ryū branch of the Ryōi Shintō, Kasahara-ryū remaining in Japan under the leadership of 16th generation Sōke Mifune Toichiro.
