Greetings
This is the homepage of Shiina Kazue Naritane, the seventh head of the Chiba-ke Seiden Hokushin Itto-ryu. I would like this to be read only by those who wish to learn true martial arts or those who are seeking guidance on how to live life seriously.
In 2013, I was fortunate enough to officially inherit the head throne from the Chiba family as the seventh generation and take on the warrior name of Naritane. To this day, I am searching day and night for people who will continue my connection. I sincerely hope that someone reading this website will continue my connection.
Chiba Shusaku, the founder of Hokushin Itto-ryu, was known as “Chiba of technique,” but in reality he placed great importance on theory, learning, and spiritual training, and his “mindset” was different from other martial artists. Technique comes from the body, but the body is moved by the mind. It was precisely because of this mental underpinning that the techniques were sharp, and the school developed into the largest dojo in Japan. At our dojo, we are firmly continuing and passing on the precious training of “mind” and “technique” that has been passed down from the founder of the school.
At our dojo, we do not release videos or other information about the content of our training. Revealing the techniques would be an insult to the founder of our school, who risked his life to develop them, and would be a violation of our oaths and rules. The information available on this website is very limited, and you may find it insufficient. However, if you would like to experience the real thing and experience a deeper spirit, please enroll in our dojo and experience the truth. Come and learn with us.
If you experience real martial arts, I’m sure you’ll find a wonderful path that suits you. Why not be brave and take that first step?
About Hokushin Itto-ryu
Hokushin Itto-ryu swordsmanship was founded by the genius swordsman Chiba Shusaku, who combined the Hokushin Muso-ryu and Itto-ryu styles. At the time, it was said to be the best swordsmanship in Japan, and boasted the largest number of disciples in the country.
There are four main characteristics of Hokushin Itto-ryu.
First, Shusaku was a good person.
Second, Shusaku was intelligent, so his teachings were logical and easy to understand.
Third, because of this, his students improved quickly. (This became a reputation.)
Fourth, the dojo had a friendly and harmonious atmosphere.
This tradition continues in our dojo as well.
With the Meiji era, the age of the samurai came to an end, and a national organization called the Butokukai was formed, unifying swordsmanship and kendo. At that time, the head professor of kendo was Naito Takaharu of Hokushin Itto-ryu. In other words, kendo was created based on the ideas and techniques of Hokushin Itto-ryu. Until the prewar period, kendo had a great influence as a source of spiritual support for the Japanese people. There were only five kendo 10th dan holders, and most of the kendo instructors before the war were students of Naito, and Hokushin Itto-ryu kendo had taken root as the way of the samurai.
However, after the war, group instruction like that in school kendo became mainstream, dojo training fell into disuse, and true kendo collapsed. Modern kendo has lost its way, placing matches and ranks as goals. There is no longer any samurai blood flowing in it. Other martial arts organizations are no longer seen to be conveying the essence of martial arts. Hokushin Itto-ryu is no exception, and there are many people calling themselves head teachers.
I’m sure you’re wondering which one is the real deal, but please do your research and don’t be fooled. If you’d like to learn more about it, please come to the dojo and I’ll tell you more about it.
Founder of Hokushin Itto-ryu: Chiba Shusaku
Left: Professor Takaharu Naito
Features of our dojo
Swordsmanship is the most rewarding martial art to learn
Martial arts improve crisis management skills more than anything else. Swordsmanship in particular has the premise that “one mistake means instant death” more clearly than any other martial art, so you can achieve better results than other martial arts. In other words, swordsmanship can be said to be “the martial art that is most worth learning in life.”
The state of mind is reflected in swordsmanship
A person’s personality becomes clear when they practice. A domineering person will use forceful techniques, a cowardly person will be cautious and defensive, and so on. Their character is laid bare. It is precisely because swordsmanship is particularly strong in terms of these elements of character that they are able to clearly identify areas for reflection and allow for great growth in one’s mind. This is what makes it more valuable to learn than other martial arts.
The secret of Hokushin Itto-ryu, as taught at our dojo, is that by helping people understand the state of their own minds through the sword, anyone can instantly become a master.
Respect the mindset over the technique
Even if it is the same swordsmanship, swordsmanship that focuses on technique can be detrimental to one’s life, because one will be aiming only at strength and victory. That kind of swordsmanship leads one to walk the path of madmen like Kawakami Gensai, Okada Izo, Tanaka Shinbei, and Kirino Toshiaki, the most feared swordsmen of the late Edo period.
Several great early school founders feared this and preached to their students the training of the mind. In keeping with this tradition, our Hokushin Itto-ryu dojo respects the state of mind that controls technique – “mind-making” – and on that basis we practice mastering technique – “techniques.”
Anyone, young or old, can learn
In our school, there is a phenomenon that is the opposite of sports: you improve faster if you start learning as an experienced adult than if you start learning from a young age. Therefore, we welcome older people to join us. Of course, women are also welcome, as they are just as good as men in spirit.
We’ve been through it all together.
Our dojo is the only one in Japan that has the tradition of correct swordsmanship, but we practice in a relaxed, family-like atmosphere, enjoying daily practice according to each individual’s schedule. If you are interested, please feel free to come and join us.
For details about our dojo
Becoming a Disciple
learn from the real thing
If you want to experience the real thing and train your spirit more deeply, come and join our dojo and experience the truth. Come and learn with us. Depending on your enthusiasm, Hokushin Itto-ryu will open up your life. You won’t know if you can do it until you try. Anyway, just knock on the door once.
*Spectators are not permitted. Please only apply if you are seriously considering joining the club.
Q. Are there any restrictions on entry?
A. If you have the motivation, anyone can join, regardless of age or gender!
Q. Those who live far away
A. Distance is not an issue if you have the passion, but in some cases, we recommend taking advantage of our special online discipleship program.
Q. Frequency of practice
A. The more practice the better, but aim for at least four times a month.
Information Dissemination
The blog is updated regularly with stories about the head of the school, stories about training, and posts from students. The media articles section archives past articles that have been featured in the media. The video section features rare footage of kendo, as well as videos of the head of the school’s past instruction and demonstrations. (Please note that, as mentioned above, we do not disclose techniques.)
Related Sites
Official Ambassador of the Head of the Family 「EMI-TAS」
EMI-TAS Co., Ltd. acts as an official ambassador for Shiina Kazue Naritane, the seventh head of the Hokushin Itto-ryu school.
They manage the head family’s website, post on social media such as YouTube and Instagram, and also produce videos.
In addition, “EMI-UNITY”, a community for the next generation of leaders organized by EMI-TAS, holds a salon called “EMI Salon” once a month to develop the next generation of business managers. With the head of the family as the main lecturer, and sometimes holding discussions with specialists in various fields, the salon is one of a kind, using all five senses through “experience” and not being too focused on tradition and culture, nor on knowledge and skills.
Kendo hall floor construction – 「Busyo Kosha」
Busho Kosha means a martial arts hall floor construction workshop. “Busho” also plays on the meaning of military commander. It refers to a traditional kendo hall floor construction workshop that raised military commanders.
It also means that the representative, Kazue Shiina , is the seventh head of the Hokushin Itto-ryu school, and a master of martial arts.
Good kendo cannot be produced without a good floor that allows for proper stepping. Busho Kosha’s kendo hall floors have been researched for the purpose of kendo over 40 years. Although they may look similar, the real thing is completely different.
Because it is a martial arts floor made by martial artists, you can be sure that it is ideal for martial arts.
Contact
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Official YouTube Channel
