Nakayama Hakudo
Encyclopedia
, also known as Nakayama Hiromichi, was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the iaidō
style Musō Shinden-ryū
. He is the only person to have received both jūdan (10th degree) and hanshi (master instructor) ranks in kendō
, iaidō, and jōdō
from the All Japan Kendo Federation. In addition, he held an instructor's license in Shintō Musō-ryū
and a Menkyo kaiden in Shindō Munen-ryū making him the 7th sōke of that system. He was the 18th and last Sōke
(head master) of the Shimomura-ha (branch) of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū
iaijutsu
.
Nakayama was born in Kanazawa City, in Ishikawa Prefecture
, circa 1873. He moved to Tokyo
when he was aged about 19 years. In Tokyo, he entered the dōjō
of Shingoro Negishi of the Shindō Munen-ryū. In time, Nakayama became a master of Shindō Munen-ryū kenjutsu
.
He taught at the Yushinkan Dojo, near Korakuen
in Tokyo, and he trained many of the top swordsmen of his day. He was a personal friend of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba
, and he was instrumental in arranging the marriage between Nakakura Kiyoshi and Ueshiba's daughter, Matsuko. He also was the teacher of Ueshiba's student Minoru Mochizuki
, developer of the Yoseikan
dojo.
By the mid-1920s, Nakayama was one of the most famous swordsmen in Japan, and as such, he was made a leader of the committee that drew up the sword curriculum for the Toyama Military Academy. Therefore, he is considered by many to be the father of Toyama
swordsmanship. Nonetheless, Kimura Shoji wrote in 1926:
Nakayama was an active promoter of New Swords (e.g., modern swords made in the traditional fashion). Often, this involved cutting demonstrations. For example, on July 10, 1934, Nakayama publicly demonstrated the strength of New Swords by using one to cut an iron bar about the thickness of a man's finger. The bar had been wrapped in straw, and Nakayama cut it with a single stroke, without leaving a mark on either the table or the blade. The Japanese Sword Institute had forged the sword; the smiths were students of Kurishara Hikosaburo. Unfortunately, such high quality swords were too expensive for mass production. In 1941, New Swords typically cost ¥2,000-¥8,000 (US $1,000-$4,000).
At the end of World War II
, Nakayama was quick to advise Japanese people to greet Allied troops with grace, saying samurai
never mouthed what was finished. Said he:
Iaido
is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
style Musō Shinden-ryū
Muso Shinden-ryu
is a iaijutsu koryū founded by Nakayama Hakudō , last sōke of the Shimomura branch of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. The term "iaidō" appeared in 1932 and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudō .-Particularities:...
. He is the only person to have received both jūdan (10th degree) and hanshi (master instructor) ranks in kendō
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
, iaidō, and jōdō
Jodo
, meaning "the way of the jō", or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet long...
from the All Japan Kendo Federation. In addition, he held an instructor's license in Shintō Musō-ryū
Shinto Muso-ryu
, most commonly known by its practice of jōdō, is a traditional school of the Japanese martial art of jōjutsu, or the art of wielding the short staff . The technical purpose of the art is to learn how to defeat a swordsman in combat using the jō, with an emphasis on proper combative distance,...
and a Menkyo kaiden in Shindō Munen-ryū making him the 7th sōke of that system. He was the 18th and last Sōke
Soke (martial arts)
, pronounced , is a Japanese term that means "the head family [house]." In the realm of Japanese traditional arts, it is used synonymously with the term iemoto...
(head master) of the Shimomura-ha (branch) of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū
Hasegawa Eishin-ryū
is a iaijutsu koryū founded by Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin as a continuation of the teachings he received in Shinmei Musō-ryū. After the death of the eleventh headmaster, Ōguro Motoemon Kiyokatsu, the school split into two branches or ha...
iaijutsu
Iaijutsu
, the art of drawing the Japanese sword. One of Japanese martial disciplines in education of the classical warrior .-Etymology:"Iaijutsu" was known before the Tokugawa period but it is unclear exactly when the term "iaijutsu" first came into use, or when exactly drawing the katana from its...
.
Biography
Ishikawa Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is Kanazawa.- History :Ishikawa was formed from the merger of Kaga Province and the smaller Noto Province.- Geography :Ishikawa is on the Sea of Japan coast...
, circa 1873. He moved to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
when he was aged about 19 years. In Tokyo, he entered the dōjō
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
of Shingoro Negishi of the Shindō Munen-ryū. In time, Nakayama became a master of Shindō Munen-ryū kenjutsu
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
.
He taught at the Yushinkan Dojo, near Korakuen
Korakuen
In Japanese, the term kōraku in Kōrakuen refers to later pleasures. It comes from a yojijukugo which means "hardship now, pleasure later." It is derived from a poem by Fan Zhongyan.Places named Korakuen include:...
in Tokyo, and he trained many of the top swordsmen of his day. He was a personal friend of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
, and he was instrumental in arranging the marriage between Nakakura Kiyoshi and Ueshiba's daughter, Matsuko. He also was the teacher of Ueshiba's student Minoru Mochizuki
Minoru Mochizuki
was a Japanese martial artist who founded the dojo Yoseikan. He was a 10th dan in Aikido, 9th dan in jujutsu, 8th dan in iaido, 8th dan in judo, 8th dan in kobudo, 5th dan in kendo, 5th dan in karate, and a 5th dan in jojutsu....
, developer of the Yoseikan
Yoseikan
is the name given to a dojo built in November 1931 in Shizuoka, Japan.-The Dojo:The brother and friends of Master Minoru Mochizuki built this dojo for him while he was recovering from pleurisy and pulmonary tuberculosis. When the dojo was built, a friend of the Mochizuki family called it Yōseikan...
dojo.
By the mid-1920s, Nakayama was one of the most famous swordsmen in Japan, and as such, he was made a leader of the committee that drew up the sword curriculum for the Toyama Military Academy. Therefore, he is considered by many to be the father of Toyama
Toyama-ryu
is Battōjutsu which refer to a combination of Iaijutsu, kata, and tameshigiri created by the Imperial Japanese Army. It is based on Gunto Soho forms developed in 1925 at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or "Toyama Army Academy" in Toyama, Tokyo, Japan. The original training and forms were established by...
swordsmanship. Nonetheless, Kimura Shoji wrote in 1926:
Nakayama was an active promoter of New Swords (e.g., modern swords made in the traditional fashion). Often, this involved cutting demonstrations. For example, on July 10, 1934, Nakayama publicly demonstrated the strength of New Swords by using one to cut an iron bar about the thickness of a man's finger. The bar had been wrapped in straw, and Nakayama cut it with a single stroke, without leaving a mark on either the table or the blade. The Japanese Sword Institute had forged the sword; the smiths were students of Kurishara Hikosaburo. Unfortunately, such high quality swords were too expensive for mass production. In 1941, New Swords typically cost ¥2,000-¥8,000 (US $1,000-$4,000).
At the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Nakayama was quick to advise Japanese people to greet Allied troops with grace, saying samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
never mouthed what was finished. Said he:
-
Nakayama lived this advice himself, and as such, he was involved in the establishment of the postwar All Japan Kendo FederationAll Japan Kendo FederationThe All Japan Kendo Federation or Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei is a non-governmental organization to promote and popularize kendō, iaidō and jōdō. The federation was founded in 1952....
.
Nakayama was also a poet and calligrapher. A sample scroll reads:
- Flowers need water and shade
- Bamboo needs the moon shade
- Beautiful woman looks best through the shade of a screen
External links
- YouTube streaming video, accessed March 15, 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLCAeFOpHUY
- Kendo World forum - thread about life of Nakayama Hakudo, http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php/17855-Life-of-Nakayama-Hakudo