Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai: Samurai Traditions in the Present

Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai (日本古武道振興会) is a Japanese organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and teaching of ancient martial arts, known as koryu budo o kobudoFounded in 1935, this society brings together traditional schools of Japanese martial arts that have been passed down through the generations since feudal times. These arts, many of which were developed and practiced by samurai, include combat techniques with swords, spears, jiu-jitsu and various traditional weapons. The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai plays a fundamental role in preserving these disciplines as part of the Japanese cultural heritage and in their dissemination both in Japan and abroad.

In this article, we will explore the history, goals, and disciplines preserved by the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai, as well as its impact on Japanese martial culture and its role in passing on this knowledge to future generations.

The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai was founded in 1935 by a group of experts and masters from various traditional Japanese martial arts schools.. In the interwar period, Japan was experiencing a revival of interest in its cultural and spiritual traditions, and martial arts figured prominently in this context. Modernization and Western influence were endangering ancient practices, so the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai was established with the purpose of protecting koryu budo disciplines dating back to Japan's feudal period, from falling into oblivion.

During World War II and the subsequent occupation of Japan, many martial arts practices were restricted or banned. However, in the post-war period, interest in classical budo re-emerged as part of a renewed appreciation of Japanese culture, and the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai played a key role in revitalizing these traditions. The organization began to gain recognition and attract practitioners who wanted to learn and preserve traditional martial arts. Today, the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai continues its mission of spreading and preserving koryu budo, attracting practitioners both in Japan and around the world.

One of the main goals of the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai is the dissemination of ancient martial arts and the education of the public about the cultural and spiritual value of kobudo. Through public demonstrations, seminars and publications, the organization offers practitioners and the general public the opportunity to learn about and experience these traditional disciplines. These activities allow practitioners to understand not only the combat techniques, but also the values ​​of respect, discipline and humility that form the basis of classical budo.

The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai works to preserve the authenticity of each of the schools that are part of the organization. This involves strict respect for the teachings and traditions of each ryuha (school), maintaining its purity and avoiding adaptations that could alter its essence. This preservation is not only limited to combat techniques, but also to ceremonies, etiquette (reishiki), transmission rituals and the values ​​that have characterized these arts since their origin.

The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai hosts annual demonstrations showcasing the various traditional martial arts. These demonstrations bring together practitioners and masters from different schools performing kata (sequences of movements) and traditional fighting techniques. These events are an opportunity to showcase the diversity of Japanese kobudo and to educate the audience about the history and philosophy behind each technique. The demonstrations are not only popular in Japan, but are also held in other countries, helping to promote appreciation for koryu budo internationally.

La Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai includes several traditional schools, or ryuha, each specializing in classical budo techniques and weapons. These schools have preserved their methods, philosophies and combat techniques from generation to generation, keeping the samurai heritage alive. Here is a list of some of the ryuha (schools) most prominent that are part of the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai:

• Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu – Known as one of the oldest martial arts schools in Japan, it includes a wide variety of techniques such as kenjutsu, sojutsu (spear), naginatajutsu (halberd) and bojutsu (long staff), as well as war strategies.

• Hoki-ryu Iaijutsu – Specializing in the art of quick sword drawing (iaijutsu), this school focuses on handling the sword with precision and speed, developing drawing and cutting movements in a single act.
• Yagyu Seigo-ryu Battojutsu – Founded by the Yagyu family, this school focuses on battojutsu (draw and cut), applying precise and effective katana combat techniques.
• Jikishinkage-ryu Naginatajutsu – A school of naginatajutsu (halberd), renowned for its focus on long-range techniques and the use of fluid, agile movements.
• Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha Sojutsu – A branch of Hozoin-ryu specializing in sojutsu, or the art of the spear, known for its long-range techniques and distinctive use of the spear in combat.
• Negishi-ryu Shurikenjutsu – Dedicated to the art of shurikenjutsu, or shuriken (throwing weapons), preserving traditional dart throwing methods used by the samurai.
• Tamiya-ryu Iaijutsu – Focusing on drawing and cutting techniques, this school of iaijutsu emphasizes precision and self-awareness, as well as the use of techniques to respond to unexpected attacks.

• Maniwa Nen-ryu Kenjutsu – A school specializing in kenjutsu, with a distinctive focus on sword technique and mental discipline that develops both strategy and precision in combat.

The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai features a number of traditional schools, each specializing in specific combat techniques and weapons. Some of the most notable disciplines include:

El kenjutsu, the art of sword combat, is one of the pillars of traditional Japanese martial arts. The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai preserves numerous schools of kenjutsu, among which are Kashima Shinto-ryu, Yagyu Shinkage-ryu y Katori Shinto-ryuEach of these schools has its own methodology, swordsmanship style, and combat philosophy, reflecting the traditions of the clans and samurai who created them. In kenjutsu, practitioners develop both combat techniques and skills of self-awareness and mental discipline.

El jujutsu is a martial art that focuses on techniques of manipulation and control of the opponent, using levers, projections and submissions. This art, which later inspired the development of judo, is a practice in which the use of the body and the opponent's strength against him is emphasized. Schools such as Hontai Yoshin-ryu y Tenjin Shinyo-ryu They are part of the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai and preserve the traditional techniques of jujutsu, which were used to immobilize or disarm the opponent without inflicting lethal damage.

El sojutsu, or the art of the spear, is another discipline maintained by the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai. In feudal times, the spear was one of the main weapons of samurai armies due to its range and versatility. Schools such as Hozoin-ryu They teach the use of the spear for long-distance combat, allowing practitioners to learn effective attack and defense techniques, with a focus on distance control and precision in movements.

El naginatajutsu is the art of handling the naginata, a kind of Japanese halberd with a curved blade at the end of a long shaft. Originally used by both samurai warriors and noblewomen, the naginata allows for ranged attacks and sweeping movements. The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai preserves schools such as Tendo-ryu y Jikishinkage-ryu, where practitioners learn techniques that combine the cutting power of the blade with agile mobility.

El kyujutsu is the art of Japanese archery and focuses on the use of the Japanese longbow, or yumiIn the context of kobudo, kyujutsu is not only a combat technique, but also a meditative practice that fosters calm, concentration and precision. Traditional schools such as Ogasawara-ryu y Heki-ryu They specialize in kyujutsu and pass on the methods and rituals of samurai archery that date back centuries.

El iaijutsu is the art of quick sword drawing and cutting, designed to respond to unexpected attacks. In iaijutsu, practitioners develop the ability to draw the sword and execute a precise cut in a single movement, all with perfect posture and concentration. The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai preserves schools such as Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu y Hoki-ryu, which teach the techniques and philosophies of this unique martial art.

The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai plays a crucial role in preserving the legacy of the samurai and the combat traditions that have been passed down through the centuries. These arts are not only combat techniques, but also teaching vehicles that transmit the ethical and philosophical values ​​of feudal Japan, such as honor, discipline and loyalty.

Through its work, the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai enables modern practitioners to connect with Japan's past and experience traditional budo. For many, kobudo is a form of personal enrichment and a way to understand Japanese history and culture from an experiential and practical perspective.

The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai is an invaluable institution in the preservation of Japan’s ancient martial arts. Through its commitment to authenticity and dedication to spreading the traditions of kobudo, this organization not only protects Japanese cultural heritage, but also inspires generations of practitioners around the world. In a context where modern martial arts dominate, the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai ensures that ancient practices and their values ​​live on, connecting the past with the present and maintaining the spirit of classical budo as an integral part of Japanese culture.