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Welcome

Welcome to the official website for the Araki-do World Headquarters, Japan. Home of the Edo branch of Yagyū Shingan-ryū & the Ohtsubo-line of Yagyū Shinkage Ryū Heihō, founded by Kamiizumi Nobutsuna in c.1568. The school is under the direction of Kajitsuka Yasushi, 23rd Generation Shihan.

The Tradition

Yagyū Shinkage Ryū (柳生新陰流) is one of the oldest schools of Japanese swordsmanship extant today. About 500 years ago, during Japan's Warring States Period, master swordsman,  Kamiizumi Ise-no-kami Fujiwara Hidetsuna (later known as Nobutsuna) from Jōshu province (Gunma Prefecture) created Shinkage Ryū, based on his knowledge of Kage Ryū, which he had studied from Aisu Ikosai. The name Shinkage Ryū literally translates as School of the New Shadow. In 1565, Kamiizumi bequeathed his school to Yagyū Munetoshi, who then added the Yagyū family name.

Munetoshi and his fifth son, Munenori, demonstrated Shinkage Ryū before the Shogun, Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu, which led to an official appointment as sword instructor to the Tokugawa Shogunate. His son Munenori, went on to establish Edo-region Yagyū Shinkage Ryū, which focused on battlefield engagement, but this method later died out during the reign of Yoshikata, the great-grandson of Munenori. Today, Owari-region Yagyū Shinkage Ryū, which was established by Yagyū Hyōgonosuke Toshitoshi, successor to Sekishūsai, remains fully intact, passed down over 22 generations. The Owari lineage uses a more upright stance and focuses on non-armored swordsmanship. Our lineage stems from Ohtsubo Genji (Shiho), who began his training at the Bishu Yagyū family dojo in 1915. His instructors were 19th generation Soke, Yagyū Sangorō Taira Toshichika, followed by 20th generation Soke, Yagyū Kinji Taira Toshinaga. When the Yagyū family dojo relocated to Nagoya in 1930, Ohtsubo established his own branch dojo in Tokyo and called it Rekizankan. Ohtsubo-sensei was a founding member of the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai in 1935, which today is Japan's oldest koryu membership association. In August, 1951 Ohtsubo received Menkyo Kaiden from Yagyū Kinji Taira Toshinaga. In April of 1959, Ohtsubo, in cooperation with Master Hashimoto of Houtoku-ji Temple, began construction of the Masakizaka Kenzen Dojo in Yagyūsho, Nara. The dojo was 660 square meters in size and made of cypress wood. Construction was fully completed in 1971. In April of 1968, with the kind support & permission of the Yagyū family of Edo, he was given access to over 500 previously secret ancient documents & scrolls. In cooperation with Muto Masao, 10th generation Soke of Yagyū Shingan Ryu, he was able to reconstruct the Edo teachings of Yagyū Shinkage Ryū swordsmanship. From 1971~1978, Ohtsubo taught kobudo (theory & practice) at both Tokyo University & Tsukuba University as an commissioned professor. 

As the official school of swordsmanship adopted by the Tokugawa Shogunate (Supreme Military Ruler), Yagyu Shinkage Ryu's approach to combat can be described as thoughtful, sophisticated and graceful. 

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Japan Kobudo Association

(Nippon Budokan Foundation)

​日本古武道協会 公益財団法人日本武道館

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Japan Kobudo Promotion Society

(Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai)

日本古武道振興会

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Our Lineage

19. Yagyū Sangorō Taira Toshichika
20. Yagyū Kinji Taira Toshinaga

1. Ohtsubo Shiho
2. Muto Masao
3. Kajitsuka Yasushi

Ohtsubo Shiho - Shihan

Meet the Headmaster

Kajitsuka Yasushi, 3rd Generation Headmaster of the Otsubo lineage. 23rd Generation Shihan.

Born in Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture in 1952. Moved to Zushi city and enrolled as a student of the 10th Generation Headmaster of Yagyu Shingan Ryu Taijutsu, Muto Masao in 1965. Began training in the Ohtsubo-line of Yagyu Shinkage Ryu Heiho in 1979 under Ohtsubo Shiho and Muto Masao. Relocated from Zushi city to Kuroiso city, Tochigi prefecture in 1992. Succeeded Muto Masao as headmaster of both Yagyu Shingan Ryu & Yagyu Shinkage Ryu in 2001. Member Soke of the Japan Kobudo Association & Japan Kobudo Promotion Society. Former Secretary General of the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai.

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Grading & Licensure

The Araki-do curriculum requires the practice of both Yagyu Shingan Ryu and Yagyu Shinkage Ryu in unison. For those eligible, grading and licensure are awarded directly by the Soke, Kajitsuka Yasushi.

Locations

⨳Hombu Dojo : Kuroiso city, Tochigi.

⨳Hayama Dojo : Hayama city, Kanagawa.

⨳Yamato Dojo : Yamato city, Kanagawa.

⨳Sakae Dojo : Yokohama city, Kanagawa.

⨳Kamakura Dojo : Kamakura city, Kanagawa.

⨳Hiroshima Dojo : Hiroshima city, Hiroshima.

⨳Bursa Keikokai, Turkey.

⨳Krivoy Rog Keikokai, Ukraine.

⨳Dnipro Keikokai, Ukraine.

⨳Wisconsin Keikokai, United States.

⨳Melbourne Keikokai, Australia.

International Keikokai are study groups under the guidance and instruction of the Honbu Dojo in Japan.

Yagyu Shinkage Ryu International Students

 International Students 

⨳Toronto Keikokai, Canada.

Contact Japan Headquarters

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All inquiries to:

DAVID BARBER

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Copyright © 2025 Negishi Ryu Shurikenjutsu. Trademark Registered ®, All Rights Reserved.

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