Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu is a military art (Bugei) that was introduced
in the Tensho Period (1573-1591) by its founder, Tamiya Heibei Narimasa.
Narimasa, together with Katayama Hoki no kami Hisayasu (the founder
of Hoki Ryu) and Sekiguchi Jushin (the founder of Sekiguchi Ryu)
were pupils of Hayashizake Jinsuke Shigenobu, the founder of Iaijutsu.
The style characteristics of the Tamiya School of Swordsmanship
are: First Volume (Omote no Maki) containing eleven kata and Second
Volume (Koran no Maki) containing fourteen kata. Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu
is a sword art that is distinguished by its emphasis on practicing
basic techniques (Kihon). In other words, to properly learn kata
means studying in great detail: 1) how to cut using the scabbard
opening (Saya-guchi) and 2) how to use the scabbard hand (Saya-te).
As a serious course of study, learning Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu involves
having a clear understanding of the laws known as "Tamiya Nobility
and Tamiya Purity."
In the year 1949, upon returning home to Japan after the war, Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu 14th Soke, Tsumaki Seirin Genshin, restored Iai as a popular activity. He then renewed the Gin’ei and Kenshibu activities of his organization, the Shinken Hōkōkai and once again began to promote Iai, Gin’ei and Kenshibu.
Kenshibu is the art of traditional Japanese dance utilizing sword and fan. Kenshibu pieces are performed to the accompaniment of poems that depict famous events in samurai history, such as the battles at Kawanakajima, the assassination of Oda Nobunaga by Misuhide Akechi at Hon’noji Temple in Kyoto, etc. These poems are sung in the style known as Gin’ei (or Shigin.)
Gin’ei (or Shigin) is based on the structural formula of Chinese poetry. It is a poem comprised of four lines (-ku being the Japanese word for ‘line’), each of which has its own particular significance in the development of the poem. In Japanese, this structure is known as Ki – Shō– Ten – Ketsu.
In the United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu organization, training focuses on the harmonization of Mind, Body, and Spirit through the practice and performance of Kata. Kata are sets of pre-arranged movements designed to defend against a specific attack sequence from an opponent, preserving not only one’s own life, but the life of the attacker as well.
This is known as the philosophy of the “sword which gives life (Katsujin no Ken),” as opposed to the “sword which takes life (Satsujin no Ken).” Students (Deshi) of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu are constantly reminded to respect the life of their opponent, giving him ample opportunity to “live to fight another day,” until the last moments of the engagement, when they must strike to survive. Students (Deshi) of the United States Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu organization are also required to learn the Samurai Code of Bushido (“The Way of the Warrior”) and adhere to it not only inside the Dojo but in their daily lives as well, representing the art of Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu and the Tsumaki family with honor, grace and humility.
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