Kenjutsu
Ono-ha Itto-ryu is recognized as the oldest of many kenjutsu schools that developed from the original teachings of Ito Ittosai Kagehisa. Ono-ha was founded by Ono Jiroemon Tadaaki (1565–1628), the immediate successor to Ittosai and a renowned swordsman who went on to become an instructor to both the second and third Tokugawa shoguns. Since that time, the art has been passed on through generations to the present day, in an unbroken lineage. The headquarters of Ono-ha Itto-ryu is the Reigakudo dojo in Tokyo, Japan — Yabuki Yuji is the 18th and current Soke (headmaster) of the ryu and the third head of the Reigakudo.
Our
kenjutsu-kai is an authorized training
group under the auspices of the Reigakudo, and the first
representative of our dojo has already visited the
Reigakudo and trained directly with Yabuki Soke.
Within a year, one of the most highly-ranked
members of the Reigakudo will relocate from Japan to
central Pennsylvania and take over as the lead
instructor of our kenjutsu-kai.
As a member of our dojo you
will have increasing opportunities to train with the
senior-most instructors of the ryu, in Japan or here
during anticipated seminar tours.
We’ve
also received delivery several pairs of onigote, the heavy
gauntlets unique to Itto-ryu that
can
safely absorb full-power strikes of Itto-ryu
bokuto, the wooden swords used in kumitachi (paired,
combative forms).
If you are seeking the depth and
sophistication of classical weapons arts, are ready to
pursue precise, demanding, and intellectually
challenging training, and would like to play a
significant, personal role in furthering the practice
here of the foremost school of Japanese swordsmanship in
the world, we invite you to join the men and women of
our kenjutsu-kai.
Ono-ha Itto-ryu kenjutsu practices are held Wednesdays from
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.,
and Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Persons
applying to train in Ono-ha Itto-ryu must be aged 14
years or older. The required uniform and equipment can
be ordered online or obtained through the dojo.
Call or email today for an appointment and come see for yourself — visitors are always welcome!
