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The History of San Shin Kai
Created by Jinsuke Shigenobu in 16th century Japan, this unique tradition of defensive swordsmanship (iai) was preserved in an unbroken line of headmasters through the centuries; codified by Master Nakayama Hakudo (1869 - 1958), and taught worldwide by Takeshi Mitsuzuka Sensei.
San Shin Kai is the federation organized in North America by Mitsuzuka Takeshi Sensei (shown in photo above), and presently headed by Roger Wehrhahn Shihan.
Muso Shinden Ryu means an iai school developed according to a divine vision given in a dream.
Like most modern Iaido schools, Muso Shinden Ryu traces its roots back to Hayashizaki Minamoto no Shigenobu (1546 - 1621). At the age of 21 he went to a Shinto shrine and stayed there for 100 days. According to a vision he received in a dream, he developed the batto-techniques, where one draws the sword and strikes with a single motion. He called his style Shimmei Muso Ryu. This was the first systematized iai school, although similar fast-draw techniques were already used in some of the older schools of kenjutsu.
Later, his students named the style Shin Muso Hayashizaki Ryu. It is believed that Hayashizaki himself stressed the spiritual side of training. There is a temple, Hayashizaki-Iai-Jinja, dedicated to him.
With this foundation of spiritual practice, Muso Shinden Ryu as we know it today was born in the early 1900's. Nakayama Hakudo Sensei, a man who had dedicated his life to the study of kendo and iai, came to the conclusion that the classical arts should be reinterpreted and opened to the general public in order for them to survive in the changing world. He formulated the Muso Shinden Ryu katas using techniques from Omori Ryu and Eishin Ryu. He stressed the importance of sword training, no longer as a just a practical art, but as a method of improving oneself. The sword is no longer a tool for cutting down your enemy, but a tool for cutting your ego as well.North American San Shin Kai offers seminars and training in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido. To learn more about our organization, please read our Mission Statement. If you are interested in becoming a member, visit our membership page to download an application.
To contact our administrative headquarters, or with questions about San Shin Kai, please email Wehrhahn Shihan.