Tamiya-ryū (Kuroda)
Encyclopedia
is a martial art founded by Kamiizumi Magojirō Yoshitane (上泉孫次郎義胤), who later took his mother's name and became known as Tamiya Gon'emon Muneshige (民弥権右衛門宗重). The art is now part of the Kuroda family bujutsu.
and iaidō
schools, which place the sword at the hips between the kaku obi
and the gi
or between the folds of the obi, practitioners of Tamiya-ryū place the sword under a heko obi (traditionally used to secure a child on one's back) that is worn over the hakama
. The sageo is not attached to the hakama obi or let loose, as in many other schools, but is tied in a knot at the kurigata, thus preventing the sword from falling out of the heko obi and permitting greater freedom of movement. Using a second obi over the hakama instead of the kaku obi that is already used under the hakama to secure the gi serves only one purpose but one of great importance: since the heko obi is softer, the act of drawing the sword will be made more freely and one will be able to feel what it is to truly draw the sword and not simply pull it out of the saya. This is all the more needed nowadays since kaku obi are rarely worn outside of special occasions. Learning to draw correctly with a softer obi will in the end make all obi feel soft.
, teaching duty is either fully delegated (as in present Katori Shintō-ryū
) and/or divided between many teachers who have received official permission to teach, some of whom are sometimes permitted to teach only a certain part of the curriculum. This permission is usually granted through a document, most often called a menkyo kaiden or "license of transmission", which certifies that the holder knows all the technical curriculum that can be taught or that he is qualified to teach (sometimes there are "secret teachings" or okugi that are only transmitted from sōke to sōke). Tamiya-ryū Iaijutsu however is unusual in that the only authorized teacher is the sōke
himself. This means that in order to learn a technique or kata
, you have to learn it from Kuroda Tetsuzan directly. This is in order to preserve the kata's original forms as best as possible. The same holds true for all ryū
of which Kuroda-sensei
is the sōke.
There is only one actual dōjō, the Shinbukan Kuroda Dōjō (振武舘 黒田道場) in Saitama
, although there are a total of six keikokai or practice groups around the world. Two of these are in Japan (Kami-itabashi
in Tokyo and Amagasaki in Kansai
), three in the United-States of America (San Antonio, Encinitas and Chicago) and one in France (Paris). The locations outside Japan are visited once a year. Kuroda sensei personally examines the candidacy of prospective students; enquiries should be made to the geographically closest practice group, excluding those in Japan.
Particularities
Unlike most iaijutsuIaijutsu
, 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...
and iaidō
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...
schools, which place the sword at the hips between the kaku obi
Obi (sash)
is a sash for traditional Japanese dress, keikogi worn for Japanese martial arts, and a part of kimono outfits.The obi for men's kimono is rather narrow, wide at most, but a woman's formal obi can be wide and more than long. Nowadays, a woman's wide and decorative obi does not keep the kimono...
and the gi
Keikogi
or dōgi is a uniform for training, used in martial arts derived from Japan, or budō. . The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro...
or between the folds of the obi, practitioners of Tamiya-ryū place the sword under a heko obi (traditionally used to secure a child on one's back) that is worn over the hakama
Hakama
are a type of traditional Japanese clothing. They were originally worn only by men, but today they are worn by both sexes. Hakama are tied at the waist and fall approximately to the ankles. Hakama are worn over a kimono ....
. The sageo is not attached to the hakama obi or let loose, as in many other schools, but is tied in a knot at the kurigata, thus preventing the sword from falling out of the heko obi and permitting greater freedom of movement. Using a second obi over the hakama instead of the kaku obi that is already used under the hakama to secure the gi serves only one purpose but one of great importance: since the heko obi is softer, the act of drawing the sword will be made more freely and one will be able to feel what it is to truly draw the sword and not simply pull it out of the saya. This is all the more needed nowadays since kaku obi are rarely worn outside of special occasions. Learning to draw correctly with a softer obi will in the end make all obi feel soft.
Teaching
In most koryūKoryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
, teaching duty is either fully delegated (as in present Katori Shintō-ryū
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu
is one of the oldest extant Japanese martial arts, and an exemplar of koryū bujutsu. The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū was founded by Iizasa Ienao, born 1387 in Iizasa village , who was living near Katori Shrine at the time...
) and/or divided between many teachers who have received official permission to teach, some of whom are sometimes permitted to teach only a certain part of the curriculum. This permission is usually granted through a document, most often called a menkyo kaiden or "license of transmission", which certifies that the holder knows all the technical curriculum that can be taught or that he is qualified to teach (sometimes there are "secret teachings" or okugi that are only transmitted from sōke to sōke). Tamiya-ryū Iaijutsu however is unusual in that the only authorized teacher is the sōke
Soke
The word soke has several meanings:* Soke , an early Western jurisdictional concept.* Soke or eke is a Tongan stick dance, originating from Wallis and Futuna., a Japanese title meaning "head of the family," and is usually used to denote the headmaster of a school of Japanese martial arts.* Soke of...
himself. This means that in order to learn a technique or kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
, you have to learn it from Kuroda Tetsuzan directly. This is in order to preserve the kata's original forms as best as possible. The same holds true for all ryū
Ryu (school)
A Ryū , or ryūha , is a Japanese word referring to a school of thought in any discipline...
of which Kuroda-sensei
Sensei
' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
is the sōke.
There is only one actual dōjō, the Shinbukan Kuroda Dōjō (振武舘 黒田道場) in Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, although there are a total of six keikokai or practice groups around the world. Two of these are in Japan (Kami-itabashi
Itabashi, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Itabashi City. Itabashi has sister-city relations with Burlington, Ontario in Canada; Shijingshan District in Beijing, People's Republic of China; and Bologna in Italy....
in Tokyo and Amagasaki in Kansai
Kansai
The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...
), three in the United-States of America (San Antonio, Encinitas and Chicago) and one in France (Paris). The locations outside Japan are visited once a year. Kuroda sensei personally examines the candidacy of prospective students; enquiries should be made to the geographically closest practice group, excluding those in Japan.