The Kenshinyokan 献身楊館 or “House of devotion to the willow” is the private dojo of John Lovato, Shoden Mokuroku, and is dedicated to the study of Japanese martial arts. Our main focus is the study of Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin Ryu with classes led by dojo-cho Richard Elias, Shoden Menkyo. The Kenshinyokan an authorized Shibu-dojo, or branch dojo, of the Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin Kai under Kaicho Tob
in Threadgill. We are also practitioners of the Yoshida family martial traditions, and are currently the only Takagi Hachi Ho ryu bojutsu Kenkyujo, study group, in the US.
高村派新道楊心流 Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin Ryu
Meaning "New Willow School" Shindo Yoshin ryu was founded in 1864 by a Kuroda clan retainer named Katsunosuke Matsuoka (1836–1898). Combining his experience in Hozoin ryu sojutsu, Jikishinkage ryu and Hokushin Itto ryu kenjutsu, Yoshin Koryu, and Tenjin Shinyo-ryu jujutsu. Takamura ha includes further influence from Matsuzaki Shinkage-ryu. Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin Ryu originated with Shigeta Ohbata who received menkyo kaiden in 1895 from Katsukosuke Matsuoka and was permitted to separate from the mainline school, Ohbata ha Shindo Yoshin ryu. Shigeta Ohbata awarded his grandson Yukiyoshi menkyo kaiden. With a slight adjustment to the curriculum in 1968, Yukiyoshi decided to rename the art Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu (TSYR). Takamura Yukiyoshi passed away in March of 2000 at the age of 72 following a long illness. Toby Threadgill, one of only three people awarded menkyo kaiden, oversees the Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin Kai organization worldwide. Containing more than 300 kata distributed over three levels (Shoden, Chuden, and Joden gokui) the art’s curriculum encompasses extensive training in both taijutsu (empty hand) and buki (traditional Japanese weapons). Training is conducted in the traditional kata method, following the Shu-Ha-Ri teaching paradigm. The taijutsu curriculum in TSYR are techniques in which the shidachi (person executing the technique) is unarmed while the uchidachi (person receiving the technique) is either armed or unarmed. The kata emphasize proper distance, evasive movement, disruptive striking and body control. Various scenarios are explored with categories including standing as well as seated situations, responses to various strikes and grabs, offensive and defensive tactics, weapons defense, and armored grappling. The buki focuses primarily on kenjutsu (swordsmanship). The kenjutsu curriculum through Shoden and Chuden levels is comprised of 10 Batto (sword drawing), with omote and ura variations, and 30 kumitachi (paired sword vs. sword kata), with additional kata for both taught at Joden level. The kumitachi are separated into groupings of five based on the elements and seasons. Additionally, there are kata for short sword, weapons retention, tanto, and while wearing armor, and the use of several smaller hand-held weapons. At Joden Gokui the application of advanced principles, the study of internal energy, mental disruption, mental inertia, involuntary reflex, and other theories associated with creating or exploiting mental and physical deficiencies are explored, as well as advanced vital point striking, resuscitation and healing, and the teachings of esoteric Shinto.
高木八方流 Takagi Hachi Ho ryu
A fuzoku ryuha (assimilated school) taught in tandem with Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin ryu. This bojutsu school, founded by Takagi Isoga, is a gendai budo derived from the personal teachings of TSYR shihan, Namishiro Matsuhiro who had studied Yoshin Koryu, Shinto Muso ryu, and Matsuzaki Shinkage ryu, in addition to Shindo Yoshin ryu. A unique feature of Takagi Hachi Ho ryu bojutsu, (Takagi school of 8 directions staff arts) is the use of a 5ft jo staff, which is a bit longer than those typically used by other ryuha. It is intended to represent the broken shaft of a naginata. The art’s curriculum is comprised of 32 kata separated into 8 sections by the 4 cardinal and 4 ordinal directions. These eight sections cover three subjects: staff vs sword, staff vs staff, and empty-hand vs. staff.
吉田派武術 Yoshida ha bujutsu
The arts passed on from Yoshida Kotaro through his son Yoshida Kenji to Don Angier and unto Richard Elias and John Lovato as Shidare Yanagi ryu 枝垂柳流. A comprehensive traditional Japanese family system of martial arts containing within its teachings all of the major sub-arts that were taught to warriors for the performance of their duties as samurai. A highly refined system including extensive empty hand and weapons training, adepts develop an above-average level of personal bodily control, and with that advanced methods of control and manipulation of the opponent, including various forms of physical, psychological, and sensory deception. Areas of study include the following:
Aikijujutsu - Empty-hand arts
Kenjutsu - Sword arts
Tantojutsu - Knife arts
Naginatajutsu - Glaive arts
Tessenjutsu - Iron Fan arts
Jojutsu - Staff arts
Juttejutsu - Arresting-truncheon arts
Hojojutsu - Rope binding arts
