Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines

05/05/2026

The Shikinen Jinkosai is a major festival of profound spiritual and historical significance, occurring only once every twelve years. For Katori Shinto-ryu it highlights the deep-rooted, centuries-long connection between Katori Shinto-ryu and the Katori Jingu, which is the consecrated home of the warrior deity Futsunushi-no-Mikoto and the birthplace of the tradition.

The Katori Shinto-ryu Shinbukan Dojo proudly participated in the Shikinen Jinkosai procession on April 15th and 16th, 2026, bringing together over 300 students from around the world. Their primary role was to form a symbolic protective force for the ritual and its sacred artifacts. This participation is a crucial way to support the Katori Jingu, and uphold the tradition, and the reputation of Shinbukan Dojo, and Shihan Otake Nobutoshi.

Participants were divided into two groups—those in traditional gi and hakama and those in full yoroi (armor). They spent two days marching while strictly adhering to protocol. The days began with early morning assembly at the Nakadai Sports Center for dressing, including a challenging one-hour window for the yoroi contingent to gear up. Otake Shihan and four shihandai rode horses in front of the 300 strong group of Shinbukan participants.

The procession began with the Departure of the Mikoshi from Katori Jingu and included a mid-day Rite of Enshrinement at a temporary shrine. The event concluded on the afternoon of April 16th with the final ritual at Katori Jingu.

Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines is honored to take part in this observance, officially recognized among activities marking the 70th anniversary of Philippines-Japan friendship.

04/05/2026

What was Shikinen Jinkosai like, and what role does Katori Shinto Ryu take in this rare observance? Follow the link in the comments, please.

19/04/2026

Shikinen Jinkosai is held every 12 years, during the Year of The Horse, celebrating the Great Deity of Katori Shrine's triumph. A procession of thousands of parishioners make their way through Katori and Sawara, and back to Katori Shrine over two days, carrying the mikoshi (portable shrine) and sacred items of Katori Jingu, and dressed in traditional attire. Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu participates in this procession as samurai of old, donning yoroi (armor) and traditional wear, to create a protective force around the procession. Residents line the streets to greet the procession and cheer. On the return march to Katori Shrine, the warriors are greeted, "Okaerinasai" (おかえりなさい) as if the locals were welcoming a triumphant army coming home.

The Shinbukan Dojo of Otake Nobutoshi shihan assembled more than 300 Katori Shinto Ryu monjin from Japan and over the world, in observance of this event. This includes the first Filipino nationals to ever participate at Shikinen Jinkosai.

Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines is grateful for this opportunity to experience and support this tradition, as well as the 600 year-old curriculum of our school. The Philippines shibu's participation contributes also to cultural exchange and understanding, on this 70th anniversary of Philippines-Japan friendship, and is accredited by the Japan Embassy in Manila/MOFA among the various cultural education activities scheduled both in the Philippines and Japan throughout the 2026 friendship year.

Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines makes its home at Aoyama Dojo, UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. Training is Wednesdays and Saturdays at 730pm.

31/03/2026

“​​A sword must be considered an extension of one's body. As also introduced in the previous section on kodachi, a teaching conveying that a" one-handed cut offers a five-inch advantage" can be found in our transmission scrolls. This is also a crucial teaching in iai, where the sword is drawn in the one hand.

In iai, the sword must be deftly handled in one hand as skilfully as if manipulating one's own fingers. The kensen must move as swiftly as the tail of a wagtail, and reach the opponent before they are able to evade.”

Otake, Risuke, “Strategy And The Art of Peace” 2016, Nippon Budokan

Photos: 1 and 2) Otake Risuke sensei (photos from Shinbukan Dojo) 3, 4) Otake Nobutoshi sensei (photos by Shobukan Dojo) 5) Otake Nobutoshi sensei (photo from Shinbukan Dojo)

Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu has a robust iaijutsu and tachi-iai battojutsu syllabus, among the different martial systems comprising its entire curriculum. Training in Katori Shinto Ryu in the Philippines is at Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines, the Philippines shibu of the historic Shinbukan Dojo –an intangible cultural asset. Classes are Wednesdays and Saturdays, 730pm exclusively at Aoyama Dojo, UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City.

29/01/2026

"The quintessence of our tradition's teachings, and indeed the original Japanese title of this volume, is heiho, or the art of peace. Heiho can be written with the glyphs meaning war or peace, and can either mean "the art of strategy" (兵法) or "the art of peace" (平法). A passage found in Katori Shinto Ryu's mokuroku scroll states, "The inherent principle behind heiho (stragegy) is Confucianism. Heiho (the art of peace) is thus profound, and is a matter no man should remain ignorant of. Winning over others without drawing one's sword is Shinto Ryu's ideal."

Otake, Risuke "Strategy And The Art of Peace" (2016), Nippon Budokan

Photos:
1) The late Otake Risuke shihan
2) Iizasa Choisai, founder of Katori Shinto Ryu
3) Training at the Shinbukan Dojo in Chiba, Japan
4) Iizasa Choisai's grave, outside Katori Shrine
5) The grounds of Katori Shrine, where Iizasa Choisai engaged in training
6) Filipino monjin, honoring the founder by cleaning his grave
7) Filipino monjin training at the Shinbukan dojo.

Training in genuine Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu in the Philippines is held by the Philippines Shibu, Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines, exclusively at Aoyama Dojo, 3/F UP Town Center, Katipunan, QC. Classes are on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 730pm. No prior martial arts experience is necessary to begin.

12/01/2026

“Katori Shinto Ryu transmits inner teachings regarding long weapons including the bo, naginata and yari with techniques in which the bo is pitted versus the bo, naginata versus naginata, and yari versus yari. However, unless both parties are experienced practitioners with long weapons, this practice can be dangerous and also takes up training space, so we practise against these weapons with swords.”

Risuke Otake, "Strategy And The Art Of Peace", 2016 Nippon Budokan.

Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines is the Philippines shibu (branch) of the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu tradition, following the teachings of the late Otake Risuke, under the leadership of Otake Nobutoshi sensei of the Shinbukan Dojo.

Katori Shinto Ryu is taught in the Philippines exclusively at , UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. Classes are Wednesdays and Saturdays, 730pm.

02/01/2026

Kagami Biraki (鏡開き) marks the first training day of the year. Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines approaches this occasion as an act of reflection, renewal, and resolve.

We renew our commitment to the tradition entrusted to us, and step forward into the new year with humility, discipline, and gratitude.

31/12/2025

2025 has been a massive year for Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines:
*The Philippines Shidosha received a transmission scroll ---the first Filipino national to achieve this.
*Training at the Shinbukan.
*Training at Shobukan.
*Visits by monjin from different shibu.
*Formal launch of Aoyama Dojo
*Training and preparation for the team's next visit to Japan.

We are grateful to Otake sensei, and the ecosystem of teachers, mentors, and friends who've done so much this year to aid the Philippines Shibu's growth in technical capacity, and in love.

We're thankful also to our home, . Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu flourishes in the Philippines thanks to its home at UP Town Center.

08/07/2025

The Philippines Katori Shinto Ryu community thanks and congratulates Aoyama Dojo, and the convergence of excellence, tradition, and safe spaces.

Aoyama Dojo at UP Town Center, Katipunan, offers comprehensive programs in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karatedo, and Katori Shinto Ryu

27/06/2025

Monjin from Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines recently completed a trip to Vietnam to train with the Shobukan Dojo. Training trips to the Shinbukan Dojo in Japan, other Katori Shinto Ryu Shibu, as well as visits by teachers and seniors to the Philippines, are part of the calendar year, as the Philippines Shibu grows more into the range and depth of the Katori Shinto Ryu tradition’s syllabus.

Katori Shinto Ryu Philippines is the Philippines Shibu following the teachings of the late Otake Risuke sensei, under the leadership of Otake Nobutoshi sensei. We exclusively hold classes at Aoyama Dojo , UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. Kindly DM the page for any queries, or to schedule an appointment.