Nippon Budō

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The Nippon Budō Seishin-Kan is the Seishin-Kan division dedicated to the promulgation of Nippon budō -- the classical martial arts of mainland Japan.  Generally speaking, Nippon budō are the martial arts of the samuraiNippon budō typically fall into one of two broad categories:  koryū (literally, "old school") or gendai-ryū ("modern school"), although the distinctions between these classifications are occasionally blurry.

The Nippon budō taught at the Seishin-Kan are all considered koryū styles and include:  Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū Iaijutsu, Ono-Ha Ittō-Ryū Kenjutsu, Shindō Musō-Ryū Jōjutsu, Shindō-Ryū Kenjutsu, and Daitō-Ryū Aiki-jūjutsuMore information about each of these styles is provided below. 

Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū Iaijutsu

Posted by Pellman Sensei on 01 September 2010

Shimabukuro HanshiMusō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū Iaijutsu is the 450-year-old art of samurai swordsmanship that is essentially armed self defense.  Each technique begins with the sword in its scabbard, even though in many cases the opponents have already drawn their weapons. 

Iaijutsu is a truly elegant martial art.  Not only does it deepen one's understanding and ability to apply martial arts strategy and tactics, but it develops grace, poise, balance, precision, and muscle-control to a degree possible with few other arts.  And there is something special about wielding a samurai sword that ... (more information here)

Ono-Ha Ittō-Ryū Kenjutsu

Posted by Pellman Sensei on 01 September 2010
Karate-do

Ono-Ha Ittō-Ryū Kenjutsu is a one of the best-known styles of samurai sword combat, called kenjutsu.  Some consider Ono-Ha Ittō-Ryū a "dueling style" since it is not a sōgō budō (multi-weapons) system, but consists solely of sword techniques.  Unlike Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu begins with the sword already drawn, so it is a combat art, rather than a self-defense art.  Nevertheless, one of the characteristics that distinguish Ittō-Ryū from many other Kenjutsu styles is that most of its techniques are counter-attacks initiated a split-second after the opponent has begun to attack. ... (more information here)

Shindō Musō-Ryū Jōjutsu

Posted by Pellman Sensei on 10 September 2010
Karate-do

Jōjutsu is the use of a slender stick just over 50 inches long in self-defense against a samurai sword.  It is a unique martial art in nearly every respect, beginning with the fact that it was a martial art originally created to defeat one specific samurai ... the legendary Miyamoto Musashi!  The system was created near the end of the Keichō Era (1594 - 1614) by Musō Gon-no-Suke Katsuyoshi, who was a master of two schools of swordsmanship.  The style he created, Shindō Musō-Ryū ("Divine Dream-Inspired Style") is the only koryū system of  Jōjutsu in existence.   ... (more information here)

Shindō-Ryū Kenjutsu

Posted by Pellman Sensei on 01 September 2010
Karate-do

Shindō-Ryū Kenjustsu is a minor (only 12 techniques) style of Kenjutsu which is based upon the principles of and serves as a companion style to Shindō Musō-Ryū Jōjutsu.  Since training with the jō requires a partner to attack with a sword, Shindō-Ryū Kenjustsu provides an excellent foundation in swordsmanship for those training in Jōjutsu.   As with Jōjutsu, there is currently no recognized headmaster or singular worldwide authority for Shindō-Ryū Kenjustsu, so ... (full article here)

Daitō-Ryū Aiki-Jūjutsu

Posted by Pellman Sensei on 01 September 2010
Karate-do

Daitō-Ryū Aiki-jūjutsu is the 800-year-old art of unarmed self-defense practiced by the samurai.  Many of the foundational concepts of Aiki-jūjutsu are derived from the principles of Kenjutsu.  Central to Aiki-jūjutsu is the concept of aiki -- blending or unifying with the opponent's spirit or energy. By doing so you are able to instantly break the opponent's balance, making it nearly impossible for the opponent to counteract your defensive technique.  ... (full article here)

Other Types of Nippon Budō

Posted by Michaela Pellman on 01 September 2010

The handful of styles we teach at the Nippon Budō Seishin-Kan are just a sampling of Nippon budō Among the koryū arts we do not currently teach are:  Sōjutsu (spear), Naginatajutsu (naginata), Kyūjutsu (archery), Bōjutsu (staff), Bajutsu (horsemanship), Suieijutsu (swimming), Kusarigamajutsu (chain-and-sickle), and several more.  And while we do not teach the full curriculum of such gendai budō as Jūdō, Kendō, and Aikidō, we do incorporate some elements of these systems in our instruction of Kenjutsu and Aiki-jūjutsu.  There are numerous martial arts worthy of study and preservation, so we heartily encourage you to explore them if you have the opportunity.

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Pellman Shihan regularly conducts Nippon budō seminars throughout the Central States on behalf of the Seishin-Kan.

For information on how to arrange for Pellman Shihan to conduct a seminar in your area, please click here.

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