History of Yagyu Shingan ryu Heiho

and the founder Takenaga Hayato

Originally and sometimes still referred to as Shingan 心眼 (heart's eye) ryu 流 (school) this classical tradition was founded by the bushi (warrior) TAKENAGA HAYATO 竹永隼人兼次（直入・金次・勝廣）and was based on battlefield principles (Heiho) developed during the later half of the Sengoku period. Whilst developing the tradition Takenaga was clearly influenced by his studies of the Shindo ryu 神道流 of Ushu Tatewaki Katsuyoshi (Shindo Tatewaki). As a result of his influence Ushu Tatewaki and the Shindo ryu are acknowledged first in the genealogy within the development of the Yagyu Shingan ryu.

Takenaga also studied the Shuza ryu 首座流, ¹Shinkage ryu 神影流, Toda ryu 戸田流 and he received the gokui (secret teachings) of the ¹Yagyu Shinkage ryu 柳生新陰流 from Yagyu Tajima No Kami Munenori (1571 - 1646). As far as we can ascertain it was during Takenaga Hayato's service and studies as a disciple of Yagyu Munenori, he became the first person outside the Yagyu family directed to adopt the name Yagyu 柳生 in his tradition, and thus the Yagyu Shingan ryu 柳生心眼流 was founded.

Later he returned to his home in the remote countryside of Sendai where he taught the farmer/warriors (Ashigaru) until his death. His teachings became so popular that many became disciples of the tradition. Although his date of birth and death is not known to us, it is thought Takenaga Hayato existed during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) and the early Edo period (1600-1868).

Takenaga Hayato acquired a place where he could live in peace and changed his name to JIKINYU. Until the end of his life he worked instructing the martial spirit of the Shingan ryu in the Sendai domain where he lived in seclusion. An inscribed stone memorial monument, erected several centuries ago in honour of the founder, depicts in detail 'Master Student Service'. The monument is located a short distance from the estate of Takenaga Hayato which has also been recorded for historical purposes by the Momo Cho Education Committee (see gallery).

Three generations later, Koyama Samon (1718-1800) left his home in Sendai and travelled to Edo where he founded the Edo line of the Yagyu Shingan ryu. In later life he returned to his home in Sendai.

Later the Edo line was to become known as Yagyu Shingan ryu Taijutsu under headmaster Hoshino Tenchi. Although related, Yagyu Shingan ryu Taijutsu should not be confused with the Yagyu Shingan ryu Heiho. Yagyu Shingan ryu Taijutsu diverted somewhat technically from the older Yagyu Shingan ryu Heiho and there is no evidence of any connection between Takenaga Hayato and Araki Mataemon. The Yagyu Shingan ryu Taijutsu line recognises Araki Mataemon as their spiritual father.

Takenaga Hayato was a warrior of inspiriation and his teaching's have been recorded and transmitted to this day in the Yagyu Shingan ryu 'Chikuosha' of Headmaster Shimazu Kenji. The tradition has been closely guarded and since survived down through the generations to the present day.

¹Note the different kanji in the Shinkage Ryu traditions.

Lineage

Shimazu Kenji Sensei in Yoroi

The following list encapsulates three lines of the Yagyu Shingan ryu studied by Shimazu Kenji.

1. KANO den

Ushu Tatewaki (Shindo Ryu). Koshu Kambubu Dohoriken. Arakawa Jirozaemon Masanobu. Toda Seigan Nyudo Ujishige. Yagyu Tajima No Kami Munenori................................................

Takenaga Hayato (Founder - Yagyu Shingan ryu). Yoshikawa Ichirouemon. Ito Kyuzaburo. Koyama Samon. Aizawa Tadanoshin Token. Chiba Yoshikazu. Satake Shinnosuke. Kato Gonzo. Hoshi Shinkichi (Masayoshi). Kano Yasuyoshi. Aizawa Tomio. Shimazu Kenji (Chikuosha).

2. HOSHI den

Ushu Tatewaki (Shindo Ryu). Koshu Kambubu Dohoriken. Arakawa Jirozaemon Masanobu. Toda Seigan Nyudo Ujishige. Yagyu Tajima No Kami Munenori................................................

Takenaga Hayato (Founder - Yagyu Shingan ryu). Yoshikawa Ichirouemon. Ito Kyuzaburo. Koyama Samon. Aizawa Tadanoshin Token. Chiba Yoshikazu. Satake Shinnosuke. Kato Gonzo. Hoshi Shinkichi (Masayoshi). Hoshi Seiemon. Hoshi Hikojuro Kuniyuki. Hoshi Kunio. Shimazu Kenji (Chikuosha).

3. YORIFUJI den

Ushu Tatewaki (Shindo Ryu). Koshu Kambubu Dohoriken. Arakawa Jirozaemon Masanobu. Toda Seigan Nyudo Ujishige. Yagyu Tajima No Kami Munenori...............................................

Takenaga Hayato (Founder - Yagyu Shingan ryu). Yoshikawa Ichirouemon. Ito Kyuzaburo. Koyama Samon. Matsuo Oriemon. Maehara Gentazaemon. Iwamotocho Uemon. Otsuki Yozaemon. Gotoh Kisaburo (Yagyusai). Oshima Ichigaku Masateru. Yorifuji Chuhachiro. Yorifuji Daisaburo. Aizawa Tomio. Shimazu Kenji (Chikuosha).

Lineage of Yagyu Shingan ryu Heiho

1. HOSHI den

Ushu Tatewaki (Shindo Ryu). Koshu Kambubu Dohoriken. Arakawa Jirozaemon Masanobu. Toda Seigan Nyudo Ujishige. Yagyu Tajima No Kami Munenori................................................

Takenaga Hayato (Founder - Yagyu Shingan ryu). Yoshikawa Ichirouemon. Ito Kyuzaburo. Koyama Samon. Aizawa Tadanoshin Token. Chiba Yoshikazu. Satake Shinnosuke. Kato Gonzo. Hoshi Shinkichi (Masayoshi). Hoshi Seiemon. Hoshi Hikojuro Kuniyuki. Hoshi Kunio. Hoshi Kunio II (Ryushinkan).

Lineage of Yagyu Shingan ryu Taijutsu

1. GOTO ha

Araki Mataemon. Koyama Samon. Matsuo Oriemon. Maehara Gentazaemon. Iwamotocho Uemon. Gotoh Yagyusai. Ohshima Masateru. Hoshino Tenchi. Yamamoto Wasaburo. Mutoh Masao. Kajitsuka Yasushi (Arakido). See http://www.arakido.org/

References

BOOK SOURCE:

Hoshi Kunio and Shimazu Kenji., 1998. Shoden Yagyu Shingan ryu Heihojutsu (Correct Transmission:Yagyu Shingan ryu Art of Strategy).Tokyo: Nihon Bujutsu Shiryokan

Shimazu Kenji. 1979. Kacchu Yawara Yagyu Shingan ryu (Armoured Grappling Yagyu Shingan ryu). Tokyo: Nitto Shoin.

RESEARCH NOTES:

Hinshelwood (1988 - 2010) Yagyu Shingan ryu Heiho, unpublished documents.

Hinshelwood, Nihon Bujutsu Shiryokan - Japan Martial Arts Research Centre. Unpublished documents.

Momo Cho Education Committee.