The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū (天真正伝香取神道流) is one of the oldest Japanese martial arts schools or Koryū (古流) Bujutsu (武術). It was founded by Iizasa Ienao to 13th century century CE, during his retreat at the Katori-jingū temple located in Katori, a temple dedicated to Futsunushi no Mikoto (経津主之命), a tutelary deity of the martial arts.
The teaching of Katori Shinto Ryu includes the practice of weapons in the form of katas or Kajos (forms, sequences).
Kenjutsu: sword techniques (4 basic katas Omote no Tachi, 5 advanced Gōgyo no Tachi and three katas improperly called secrets, Gokui Shichijo)
Bojutsu: long stick techniques (6 basic katas Omote no Bō and 6 advanced katas Gōgyo no Bō)
Naginatajutsu: halberd techniques (4 basic katas Omote no Naginata)
Iaijutsu: cutting techniques by drawing the sword from the scabbard (6 kneeling katas Suwari iaï or Iaï goshi, 5 standing katas Tachi iaï Battōjutsu and 5 advanced katas, Gokui no iaï)
Ryōtōjutsu: two-sword techniques (4 katas)
Kodachijutsu: small sword techniques (3 katas Gokui no Kodachi)
Sojutsu: spear techniques (6 katas Omote no Yari)
Shurikenjutsu: dagger throwing techniques (7 basic katas Omote no Shuriken)
Senjutsu: strategy techniques
Shikujojutsu: fortification construction techniques
Ninjutsu: spying techniques
Jujutsu: bare hands techniques (36 katas)
In addition to the basic teachings(kamae and kata), the Katori school includes katas called gogyo and gokui, intended for experienced practitioners or yudansha.
These techniques are sometimes called exaggeratedly secret because of the requirement of mastery and personal investment in the discipline but also because they are known and mastered by a very small number of practitioners. They allow us to work on certain notions such as nebari (translated as “perseverance”, “adherence”) which consists in keeping contact with the partner’s weapon at all times, or maai (間合い) The term “distance”, “interval”, refers to the space between the two practitioners, enough space to attack without being hit.
Other notions, inherent to the traditional martial arts (Bujutsu,Budō) are transmitted within the Katori school. Among them we find Shoshin The “beginner’s mind” or humility, the Shisei (史成)“attitude,” the Reïshiki (礼式)“label,” the Kime (決め)“determination,” the Zanshin (残心)“vigilance,” the Kiai (気合)“concentration of energy”.
In addition to the basic teachings(kamae and kata), the Katori school includes katas called gogyo and gokui, intended for experienced practitioners or yudansha.
These techniques are sometimes called exaggeratedly secret because of the requirement of mastery and personal investment in the discipline but also because they are known and mastered by a very small number of practitioners. They allow us to work on certain notions such as nebari (translated as “perseverance”, “adherence”) which consists in keeping contact with the partner’s weapon at all times, or maai (間合い) The term “distance”, “interval”, refers to the space between the two practitioners, enough space to attack without being hit.
Other notions, inherent to the traditional martial arts (Bujutsu,Budō) are transmitted within the Katori school. Among them we find Shoshin The “beginner’s mind” or humility, the Shisei (史成)“attitude,” the Reïshiki (礼式)“label,” the Kime (決め)“determination,” the Zanshin (残心)“vigilance,” the Kiai (気合)“concentration of energy”.