Uluyama TV Kashima Ryu Ha
Kashima Shinto-ryu is one of the oldest martial traditions in Japan. Its members trace the history of the ryu back more than six hundred years to Kuniazuno Mabito, considering him to be the shiso, or progenitor, of the original Ichi no Tachi or Kashima no Tachi. Even if one dates the history of the tradition from the time of Tsukahara Bokuden (b. 1489), who is considered by members of the Shinto-ryu to be the actual ryuso (founder), there is a continuous direct line of succession which has lasted more than five hundred years.
Kuniazuno Mabito was a direct ancestor of Bokuden's. He was appointed to the post of custodian, or guardian, of Kashima Grand Shrine. One of his responsibilities was the maintenance of peace and order within the precincts of the shrine (manorial domain may be a more accurate description--the shrine is big now; it was at one time one of the major landowners in the entire region and exercised commensurate power). A noted swordsman, Mabito created a large body of techniques and training methods and taught many students who served as shrine guards. His descendants were the Yoshikawa Urabe. They served as diviners as well as custodians of the shrine, and providing armed security became one of their hereditary duties. Bokuden was born into this family, later becoming a yoshi, or adopted bridegroom of the Tsukahara clan.
Bokuden is often referred to as a kensei. Translated literally, the word means "sword saint," but it more properly means a swordsman who has transcended merely physical techniques and penetrated to the essence of swordsmanship, one whose art is imbued with an extraordinary spiritual dimension. Bokuden learned the Katori Shinto-ryu from his adopted father and later perfected his skills by engaging in musha shugyo (warrior's ascetic training), traveling throughout Japan and training with most the skillful, knowledgeable exponents of the day. He later systematized the teaching of the Kashima area's local martial arts. After receiving a divine inspiration from Takemikazuchi-no kami, the deity of Kashima Shrine, "kokoro arata ni koto ni atare" ([by] keeping a beginner's mind [fresh perspective; a mind open to change], one will succeed in [be able to confront/deal with] anything), Bokuden took the two characters for new and succeed, along with the name of the shrine and gave a formal name to his system: Kashima Shinto-ryu.
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