Publications
【Publication related】
We are particularly pleased to be able to announce the publication of the first-ever book dealing with the teachings and history of, but also produced with the direct collaboration and involvement of Taisha-ryū, called:
“Unravelling the Cords” – The Instructions of a Master in the Tradition of Taisha-ryū
The volume contains the first complete annotated translation of the original text of the Taisha-ryū Kaichū (タイ捨流解紐) – a treatise on the Art of War (兵法) written by 17th century Nabeshima clan retainer Nakano Jinuemon Shūmei (中野甚右衛門就明; 1653–1730), not dissimilar to the Book of Five Rings or the Heihō Kadensho.
To provide a solid diachronic background, the volume also includes a document penned by Taisha-ryū’s founder – Marume Kurando (1540–1629) – containing an original text by Kamiizumi Nobutsuna (ca. 1508–1577) – the renowned founder of the Shinkage-ryū school and Kurando’s own swordsmanship master, as well as an extensive historical section.
Without imposing modern concepts and without preconceived notions of the so-called “classic Japanese warrior code” the philosophical background section of the book aims to unravel the tangle of popular clichés and to begin uncovering what truly lies at the roots of Japanese martial philosophy and conduct – roots that go back to Huáyán, Chán and Esoteric Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism and the Ancient Chinese treatises on the Art of War.
We are happy to be able to share the history and teachings of Taisha-ryū’s past masters and to help people delve deeper into the world of hyōhō.
More information about the publication you can find on the publisher’s website – Purple Cloud Press.
On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of Taisha-ryū, we are also happy to announce the founding of the Taisha-ryū Historical Research Group – a concerted effort to study, understand and preserve the traditions of Taisha-ryū for future generations.
With this, our intention is to continue the efforts begun by the research project, which produced the first book dedicated to the history and teachings of our school, and (in due time) to also produce a comprehensive historical overview of Taisha-ryū during the four and a half centuries since its inception.
If you are interested in learning more and perhaps supporting our research – you can find comprehensive information on the dedicated website: https://taisharyu-history.org
【Video related】
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 23:00-23:44
NHK General “Meikyo Shisui -Bu no SEKIGAHARA-”
Saturday, March 12, 2020 20:00-21:00
BS11 "Resume of Great People and Real Faces"
[Part 21: Muneshige Tachibana, a warrior of the west who lived in righteousness]
https://www.bs11.jp/entertainment/ijin-sugaono-rirekisho/
【Announcement/advertisement】
A new movie has been produced and released by Jidai Net
We are pleased to announce the release of a new documentary film - "Hyoho Taisha Ryu".
You can purchase or rent a full version (U$30.00) at:
52 minutes MP4 movie, Japanese audio with English subtitle
Studio: Jidai Net
[Outline]
A documentary film about a group of modern day samurai, who train in a 450 year old traditional style of Japanese swordsmanship - “Hyoho Taisha Ryu”.
The Hyoho Taisha Ryu documentary, filmed in the spring of 2014, captures a moment in time in the ongoing story of one of the oldest martial arts schools in Japan.
It includes exclusive and penetrating interviews with Eriko Uehara, the granddaughter of the late 13th Headmaster who is striving to master the art who eventually becomes the soke of the school.
Master Yamamoto Takahiro who has dedicated his life to preserve and now promote this unique, pure and almost unknown tradition to both his fellow Japanese and to the wider world.
This film shows many of the skills and techniques of Hyoho Taisha Ryu. It includes Kata (pair training with wooden swords), Iai (real sword drawing techniques) and Kumidachi (pair training with real swords).
Filming locations of demonstrations and interviews include various areas in Yatsushiro-city,
Hitoyoshi-city and Kuma-gun, places associated with the founder Kurando Marume.
These include: the Japanese National Treasure Aoi-Aso shrine, the remains of Hitoyoshi castle, Kanrenji temple and Sokakuji temple.
For anyone interested in traditional Japanese martial arts and culture, Hyoho Taisha Ryu is a film highly recommended. We hope you will enjoy it.
* information as of 2014
【other related publications】
Kurando and Taisha Ryu appear in other magazines, novels and comics. We would like to introduce some of them.
Drifters
written by Hirano Kota, published by Shonen-Gaho sha
The hero of the comic, Shimazu Toyohisa is a Taisha Ryu swordsman.
Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism (Armed Girl's Machiavellism)
Yuya Kurokami and Karuna Kanzaki (KADOKAWA)
One of the greatest 5 swordsmen in the comic, Warabi Hanasaka is a Taisha ryu swordsman.
Kurando VS Yagyu Munenori
A son of Yagyu Sekishu-sai, Yagyu Munenori was appointed as an instructor of Tokugawa Shogun family and he claimed that he is the best swordsman of Japan. Marume – the founder of Taisha-Ryu - became angry about this and visited Edo city. Marume challenged the Shogun family instructor Yagyu Tajimano-kami Munenori by putting up a notice-board claiming “I am the best swordsman of all Japan”. However, Munenori considered that he may have little chance to win and would not gain much benefit from the duel. Legend says that the spirit of Kamizumii appeared and said “Yagyu is the best in the eastern part of Japan, and Mr. Marume is the best in the western part of Japan” the duel was avoided.
It is said, Marume made a deal with the Yagyu family at this time and obtained their agreement that Sagara domain could have shinobi forces. After this, Marume dedicated on old notice board that he had once used claiming that he was the “best swordsman in all Japan” to Kiyomizu temple. However, the existence of such a letter implies dishonor on the well-known Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu, thus Yagyu Munenori ordered his shinobi to burn the letter, together with the temple. According to one theory, it was the reason that the temple went up in flames.
Kurando VS Miyamoto Musashi
An old man at age 73 and a young swordsman at age 29, Miyamoto Musashi had just defeated Sasaki Kojiro at Ganryu-jima island came to challenge Kurando.
Marume Kurando was plowing a field at that time.
Miyamoto Musashi visited him and asked to have a bout. Immediately after Musashi asked so, Kurando suddenly “lost his hearing” and started saying “What? oh, you are hungry. Come here, come here”, Musashi replied “no, please have a bout with me”, but Kurando told him “feel free. I will serve you potato congee” and took him a home.
A hot pot was placed on a fire of Japanese style stove and began to boil. Kurando served the potato congee to Musashi himself. Musashi ate the congee without letting his guard down. After they finished their meal, Kurando told him that he would go to a field again, and moved out the house carrying a Kuwa Japanese shovel. Along the way there was a house and a stable, Kurando carrying the shovel walked through the narrow path between them in the fashion of an old man. Miyamoto Musashi followed him still with his guard up.
When they walked through the middle of the pathways, Kurando suddenly looked back and energetically swung the shovel on his shoulder and above his head. Musashi could not draw his sword as the path was too narrow on both his left and right sides. Needless to say, he could not draw two swords.
Kurando attacked Musashi with the shovel. However, true to his reputation, Miyamoto Musashi’s, stepped back smoothly and pulled himself up in a fighting posture.
Kurando looked at him, grinned and left. Musashi followed Kurando again, and found him calmly plowing his field. So Miyamoto Musashi politely told him that “I am no match for you, and I am too far away from such an achievement” and I understand the kind teaching you have offered” he then left.
《Training schedules and venues》
《Access》
〇Regular training〇
Tuesdays (venue: Kagami Budo kan) 20:00～22:00
Welcome to visit and observe the trainings
〇Short term intensive training〇
One-off bases with availability for official members (venue: Ryu Sen Kan headquarter and/or Kagami Budo Kan) 10:00～16:00
〇Kids class〇
Tuesdays (venue: Kagami Budo kan) 18:00～20:00
【Dojo and training groups other than Yatsushiro headquarter】
Hyoho Taisha ryu Kansai branch (Osaka)
Shihan (master with the certificate) directly trains members. Welcome to become a new member, as well as visit and observe the training
Training groups (self-training)
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Hong Kong Hyoho Taisha ryu （Hong Kong, China）
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Kan-shu Hyoho Taisha ryu（Tokyo)
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Satsuma Hyoho Taisha ryu (Kagoshima)
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Go-shu Hyoho Taisha ryu (Sydney, Australia)
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Hizen Hyoho Taisha ryu (Ureshino, Saga)
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Oshu Hyoho Taisha ryu (Turin, Italy)
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Aki Hyoho Taisha ryu (Hiroshima)
【】
Hyoho Taisha ryu Ryu Sen Kan
address: 307-2 Kagami-machi Shiohama, Yatsushiro, Kumamoto 869-4224, Japan
tel：0965-37-8009
Visit our SNS sites for the latest information of Taisha ryu
《Queries and contacts》
If you would like to become our member or you have questions, please reach us via the “Contact” page
《What’s new》