Did Musashi ever have students?

[Miguksaram]

Recently I have seen an influx of sword videos, from people claiming to teach the system of Musashi. For those who do not know, Miyamoto Musashi was a legendary swordsman of Japan who is the famed author of the book "Gorin no sho (Book of Five Rings)" and was believed to have fought in 60 duels. I haven't read anywhere that he ever opened up a school or had a disciple.

So how is it possible for someone to know what he taught and how he taught it?

[Ronin]

The Niten-ryu is a recognised system of bujutsu, no?

Fighting with two swords is nothing new, nor did it originate with MM.
But, anyone claiming to teach the Niten Ryu would have to have the appropriate paperwork.

[Miguksaram]

The Niten-ryu is a recognised system of bujutsu, no?

Fighting with two swords is nothing new, nor did it originate with MM.
But, anyone claiming to teach the Niten Ryu would have to have the appropriate paperwork.

I agree that fighting with two swords is nothing new, but people are claiming to learn the system of MM, which leads me to believe that they are practicing what he learned during his traveling years and not just the basic system he grew up in.

[Ronin]

Again, IF the Niten Ryu is a recognised school of bujutsu, there would be "lineage" records.
The Japanese are extremly constipated about these matters.

[Ronin]

Not sure how accurate:

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/6065/

Traditional Japanese Bujutsu

This page contains, in alphabetical order, a number of traditional Japanese martial arts Ryu (schools) that might be of interest for serious students of Martial Arts. The list contains links - if available - to other sites that may have some more information. The links looks like this: [1]. I have also added links to a picture when possible. If you want to add items or links to the list, send me a message. I try to keep the information in the list historically correct, however, due to my limited knowledge of some ryu, errors might have occurred.

Before the restoration of the Meji era in 1868 a very large number of ryu existed, there was reckoned to be about 3000 ryu. Most of the ryu was created by noble Samurai, others simply by ronin or even common people. The ryu sometimes divided into branches, ha, as a result of the various masters composing new techniques or movements from old ones. The seat of a ryu was usually located were the founder lived. Some ryu were independent, others belonged to the great families, Daimyo. Each master had his own style, ryugi, and transmitted the secrets, okuden, of his style to a few chosen disciples. Most of the ryu which still existed before the second world war have now dissapeared, for the old masters are dead and the pupils have deserted the dojo. According to the Bujutsu Ryu Soroku, a work published in 1843, there were in Japan at that date some 150 important Ryu; 66 teaching Ken-Jutsu and Iai-Jutsu, 31 teaching So-Jutsu, 20 teaching Ju-Jutsu, 19 in the use of firearms and 14 devoted to Kyu-Jutsu. Any Bujutsu/Budo system established before 1877 are recognised as Ko Ryu (old schools). Thereafter they are known as Gendai Bujutsu, or modern martial arts. Some ryu in this list, like the Chujo Ryu, are now extinct, others, like the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, still flourish today, dating back more than 500 years.

In order to preserve the old styles and traditions the Dai Nippon Butokukai was founded in 1895 by the Japanese government. The headquarters, the Butokuden, is seated in Kyoto. The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai (Society for the Promotion of Japanese Classical Martial Arts) also sponsors a demonstration of the classical martial arts at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, on November 3 each year.

Anually, there is a kobudo demonstration at the Budokan. This event, held for the first time in 1978, is the premiere classical martial arts demonstration in Japan, Co-sponsored by the Nippon Budokan and the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai. Schools demonstrate by invitation only, and not all member traditions of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai participate each year.

If you are interested in genuine Japanese Swords I highly recommend


Aoi Art, Tokyo

The list contains 169 different Ryu. Last updated 1999-05-31

Abe Ryu
Kendo
c. 1700
The oldest traditional Kendo school, adapted from Ken-jutsu. Aio Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1600
Aisu-Kage Ryu
Anzawa Ryu
Naginata
c. 1600
Araki Ryu [1] [2]
c. 1600
Founded by Araki (Mujinsai) Mataemon Minamoto Hidetsuna (c. 1584-1638).
Ariki Hidetsuna was skilled in - amongst others - the Yagyu Shinkage Ryu and in the Muso Jikiden Ryu. Arima Shinto Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Arima Motonobu.
Asayama Ichiden Ryu [1]
Founded by Arima Motonobu.
Buko Ryu
Naginata
Chujo Ryu
Kenutsu
c. 1400
Founded by Chujo Nagahide.
Daito Ryu [1]
Aiki-Jutsu
c. 1100
Founded by Shinra Saburo Minamoto Yoshimitsu (1056-1127).
Eishin Ryu

Founded by Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin (Hidenobu).
Emmei Ryu
Kenjutsu
Fudo Ryu

Fudoshin Ryu

Fukono Ryu
Ju-jutsu, Kenjutsu
Founded by Fukono Shichiroemon.
Gan Ryu

c. 1600
Founded by Sasaki Kojiro.
Specializing in the use of the no-dachi, a very long sword. Gassan Ryu
Naginata
c. 1800
Gikan Ryu
Koppojutsu
Goju Ryu
Karate-Do
Founded by Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953).
Gyokko Ryu
Koshijutsu
Gyokushin Ryu
Ninjutsu
Hakko Ryu [1] [2]

c. 1938
Founded by Okuyama Yoshiji.
Hakutsu Ryu
Ju-Jutsu
Hasegawa Eishin Ryu
Iaido
reffered to as Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Hasegawa Ryu

Founded by Hasegawa Soki (1568-95).
Hayashizaki Ryu
Iai-jutsu
reffered to as Shimmei Muso Ryu Higo Ko Ryu [1]
Naginata
Hikida Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Hikida Bungoro (1537-1606).
Hikita Kage Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Hikita Kagekane (1573-92).
Hioki Ryu
Kyu-Jutsu
Hoki Ryu
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu, Kyu-jutsu
Hokusai Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1700
Hokushin Itto Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1830
Founded by Chiba Shusaku (1794-1855).
Chiba promoted an art of swordfighting that was less warlike and more spiritual. This ryu used a straight bokken in training (kumitachi style), the ancestor of the shinai used in modern Kendo. Followers of this ryu used to hold competitions in which the bokken was used against a person armed with a naginata. Honma Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Honma Masayoshi.
Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu
Ju-jutsu
Hontai Yoshin Ryu
Ju-jutsu
Hoshin Ryu
Naginata
Hozan Ryu
Kendo
Hozo-in Ryu
Kenjutsu,Yari, Ju-jutsu
Founded by Hozo-in Ei (1521-1607).
Hozo-in Ei was a guardian of the temples of Nara. Restored to popularity by the end of the nineteenth century. The most famous follower of this ryu in modern times was Takeda Minamoto no Masayoshi (1858-1943). Hyo Ho Niten Ichi Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu
Founded by Miyamoto Musashi.
The Hyo Ho Niten Ichi Ryu (two heavens as one school) was developed by Miyamoto Musashi, author of Go Rin No Sho "Book of Five Rings" and Japan's most famous swordsman. The school dates from the early 1600s and its most distinctive feature is its concurrent use of both the long and short swords. Ichiden Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1800
Ichien Ryu
Kenjutsu
Ichinomiya Ko Ryu
Iai-jutsu
Iga Ryu
Ninjutsu
Ikake Ryu
Jitte, Keibo
c. 1600
Ippa Ryu

Founded by Moroka Kagehisa.
Isogai Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1669
Founded by by a disciple of the chinese master Chén Yuan Bin.
Isshin Ko Ryu
Kusarigama
Isshin Ryu
Karate-Do
Founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Tatsuo Shimabuku was a student of Okinawan Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu Karate. Itto Ryu

Founded by Ittosai Kagehisa (1560-1653).
This ryu had a profund influence on the development of kendo. Followers of this ryu learned to master the spirit-heart (Shin), the spirit-breath of the internal energy (Ki) and the energy of the body (Ryoku). Thus they learned to act only when the emotions were quiet and free from any fear and evil intent. The fundamental principle in Itto Ryu is called Uchikachi, which means attack and defense in one blow. Itto Shoden Muto Ryu
Kenjutsu
Jigen Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Togo Shigekura Bizen no Kami (1563-1643).
One of the more famous followers of this ryu was Saigo Takamori (1827-77), the leader of the revolt on the island of Kyushu against obligatory conscription decreed by the emperor Meji. Jikiden Ryu
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu
c. 1250
Founded by Onkeibo Chochen.
This ancient ryu was developed with techniques that used the principles of tenshin sho (divine inspiration). It is said that the seventh master of this ryu was Izasa Ienao (1387-1488), the founder of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu. Jikishin Kage Ryu
Kenjutsu, Naginata
c. 1560
Founded by Yamada Heiazaemon (d. in 1578).
Jikishin Ryu
Ju-jutsu
Founded by Terada Kanemon.
Juki Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1600
Juki Shin Ryu
Ju-jutsu
Jushin Ryu
Iai-jutsu
Kage Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Aizu Iko (1452-1538).
Kan Ryu
So-Jutsu
reffered to as Owari Kan Ryu Kanemaki Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Jisai Michiie (1576-1615).
Kankai Ryu

Kashima Shinto Ryu [1] [2] [3] [4]
Founded by Tsukahara Bokuden (1490-1571), son of a Shinto priest at the sanctuary of Kashima (Ibaraki prefecture).
The Kashima Shinto ryu is one of the oldest samurai and most vigorous training organizations in Japan. The current (nineteenth generation) headmaster presides over more than a dozen branch schools and clubs (including several in Europe and North America) with a collective membership numbering in the hundreds of students. One of the most interesting features of Kashima Shinto ryu martial art is its comprehensive and holistic nature. Although training focuses on the use of the sword, Kashima Shinto ryu bugei, as practiced today, consists of twelve particularized military disciplines (bujutsu): kenjutsu swordsmanship batto-jutsu (sword drawing); naginata-jutsu (use of the naginata, a kind of glaive or voulges); sojutsu (spearmanship); kenjutsu-tachiai (use of the sword against other weapons); shuriken-jutsu (use of throwing darts); jujutsu (grappling); kenpo (striking and kicking); bojutsu (use of long staff); jojutsu (use of short staff; kaiken-jutsu or tanto-jutsu (use of knives and short swords); and tasuki-dori or hobaku-jutsu (tying or binding an opponent). These disciplines intertwine and co-exist as components of a single whole. Each contains all the others and is in turn contained by all of the others. Each draws on the same principles of thought and movement, differentiated only by the interaction of these principles with the distinctive characteristics of the weapon around which it revolves. None is complete in and of itself. Kashima Shinto ryu bugei, as an entity beyond a simple collection of tricks and strategies for fighting, materializes when taken in total, when all twelve bujutsu disciplines are melded into a single budo. Katori Ryu
Kenjutsu
Kenshin Ryu
Karate
Founded by Hayashi Teruo.
Hayashi Teruo was a follower of Kito Ryu Kijin Ryu
Kenjutsu
Kito Ryu
Kenjutsu, Bo-jutsu, Iai-jutsu, Ju-jutsu, Kusarigama
Founded by Ibaragi Sensai.
Ibaragi Sensai was a low rank samurai and a student of Yagyu Shinkage Ryu. Later Terada Kanemon developed Kito Ryu into a specific art of combat using only the bare hands. Its five principal Kata are preserved in the Koshiki-no-kata of Kodokan Judo. Kobayashi Shorin Ryu
Karate-Do
Koga Ryu
Ninjutsu
Kohgen Itto Ryu
Kenjutsu
In Kohgen Itto Ryu, training is broken into 3 major parts, consisting of Kata practice, Iai practice, and Shinai Kendo. Students learn in Kata practice how to deliver the edge of a sword most effectively to cut the object. In Iai practice, they learn how to handle a real sword and how to deal with opponents in close range fighting. In Kendo, they will focus on the intensity and speed of the cuts. Kosho Shorei Ryu
Kenjutsu, Ju-jutsu
c. 1235
Koto Ryu
Koppojutsu
Koto-Eiri Ryu
Kenjutsu
Specializing in dealing with several opponents at the same time. Koyama Ryu

Kuki Shinden Ryu
Happo Hikenjutsu
Kumagokure Ryu

Kurama Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1574
Kushin Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1650
Founded by Inugami Nagakatsu.
Perfected around 1720 by his grandson Inugami Nagayasu (Inugami Gubei) Kyoshin Meichi Ryu
Kenjutsu
Kyosui Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Minowa Kurando.
Kyushin Ryu
Yari
Maniwa-nen Ryu
Kenjutsu, Kusarigama, Ju-jutsu
c. 1550
Ancient ryu founded in the sixteenth century that still exists today. This ryu used somewhat spectacular training methods, like cutting a muffled arrow in two with a sword before it reached the swordsman. Masaki Ryu
Naginata
Mijin Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Negishi Tokaku.
Miura Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1740
Mizoguchi-ha Itto Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu
Mizuno Shinto Ryu
Iai-jutsu
c. 1600
Founded by Kobayashi Koemon Toshinari.
Mugai Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu
c. 1695
Founded by Tsuji Getten Sakemochi (1650-1729).
Tsuji, the son of a farmer, began his experience with swordsmanship as a disciple of kenjutsu at the age of thirteen. Mugai ryu was a result of his more than thirty years of constant training. In his ryu Sakemochi taught hyodo, a method of fighting based on the Chinese philosophy of the interaction of the principles of Yin and Yang. Mugai ryu is not specifically intended to be a style dedicated to killing, but on the other hand, it is not intended that the exponent of Mugai ryu be killed should he/she face combat; Mugai ryu basis is in training with a defensive interpretation of combat. Through dedication to training, the exponent of Mugai ryu improves himself/herself mentally as well as physically. Muraku Ryu
Iai-jutsu, Kenjutsu
Founded by Nagano Muraku Kinrosai.
Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu [1]
Iaido
Founded by Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin (Hidenobu).
Muso Jikiden Ryu

reffered to as Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Muso Shinden Ryu [1]
Iaido
c. 1955
Founded by Nakayama Hakudo (Hiromichi, 1869-1958).
Hiromichi was a master swordsman who studied and excelled in numerous shools, among others the Omori Ryu, the Muraku Ryu, the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, the Shindo Munen Ryu and the Yamaguchi Itto Ryu. The name Muso Shinden Ryu was introduced in 1955 by successors to Nakayama Hakudo, who originally called his art Muso Shinden Ryu Batto Jutsu. The history of Muso Shinden Ryu dates back to the sixteenth century, being the afterglow of the dynamic swordsman Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu and his Shimmei Muso Ryu. The study of Muso Shinden Ryu consists of Shoden, a basic level of training, based on the Omori Ryu Iai set, Chuden, a middle level of teaching, based on Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iai. The most advanced stage is called Okuden, or inner / secret teachings. Additionally there are Kumi Gata techniques, and high rank students may also train Tameshigiri. Mutekatsu Ryu

Muteki Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1650
Ryu using using the concept of yawara-riki. Muto Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Yamaoka Tesshu (1837-88).
Also known as the Itto Shoden Muto Ryu. Nagao Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1600
Founded by Nagao Kenmotsu.
Nagao Kenmotsu was a samurai of the Itto Ryu and Yagyu Shinkage Ryu. Nagao ryu makes use of Kakushi (hidden weapons), such as shuriken and kaiken. Nakamura Ryu
Iai-jutsu
Founded by Nakamura Taizaburo.
Also called Nakamura Batto-Jutsu. Nakamura Taizaburo Sensei was a Student/Instructor at the Toyama Military Academy where he learned Toyama Ryu Iai. He did incorporate some of the Toyama Ryu elements into his own Ryu, particularly from Toyama Ryu Kata. All katas are performed from a standing position. There are eight kamae and eight cutting techniques in this ryu. Nakanishi-ha Itto Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1650
Founded by Nakanishi Chuta.
Nen Ryu
Iai-jutsu
Nikaido Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1600
Founded by Matsuyama Mondo.
Niten Ichi Ryu
Kenjutsu
Reffered to as Hyo Ho Niten Ichi Ryu. Nito Ryu
Kenjutsu
Reffered to as Hyo Ho Niten Ichi Ryu Ogasawara Ryu
Kyudo, Reishiki (etiquette)
c. 1500
Oguri Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1616
Founded by Oguri Niemon.
Oishi Shinkage Ryu
Kendo
Founded by Oishi Susumu (1798-1865).
Followers of this ryu used very long Shinai held in one hand and wore a Men (face protector) to guard aginst blows. This ryu advocated force rather than suppleness of action. Okuyama Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1580
Founded by Okuyama Magojiro (1525-1602).
Omori Ryu
Iai-jutsu, Kenjutsu
Founded by Omori Azaemon Masamitsu.
The Iai set of his ryu is preserved with some modifications in the shoden (basic level) teachings of Muso Shinden Ryu and the Eishin Ryu Ono-ha Itto Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu
Oto Ryu
Karate-Do
Owari Kan Ryu [1]
So-Jutsu
Sakuri-ha Kohgen Itto Ryu
Kenjutsu
Sekiguchi Ryu [1]
Ju-jutsu, Kenjutsu
c. 1650
Founded by Sekiguchi Jushin (1597-1670).
Shibukawa Ryu
Kusarigama, Bo-jutsu, Ju-jutsu
Founded by Shibukawa Hangoro.
Shigenobu Ryu
Iai-Jutsu
Reffered to as Shimmei Muso Ryu Shimmei Muso Ryu
Iai-Jutsu
c. 1565
Founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu.
Shin Muso Hayashizaki Ryu [1]
Iai-jutsu
Shin Muso Hayashizaki Ryu
Iai-Jutsu
c. 1550
Founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu.
Referred Shin Sekiguchi Ryu
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu, Ju-jutsu
Shin Shin Sekiguchi Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu, Ju-jutsu
Shin Tamiya Ryu
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu
Shin-no Shindo Ryu
Ju-jutsu
c. 1550
It taught 166 combat techniques. Shinden Fudo Ryu
Dakentaijutsu, So-jutsu, Yari
Founded by Izumo no Kanja Yoshiteru.
Shindo Munen Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1750
Founded by Fukui Heiemon Yoshihara (Kahei).
Shindo Muso Ryu [1]
Jo-jutsu
Founded by Muso Gonnosuke.
Shingyoto Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu
Shinkage Ichien Ryu
Kenjutsu
Shinkage Itto Ryu
Kenjutsu
Shinkage Ryu
Kenjutsu, Ju-jutsu, Iai-jutsu, Yari
Founded by Kami Izumi Ise-no-Kami Fujiwara no Nobutsuna (1508-78).
The founder wanted to improve the techniques of the Katori and Kage ryu. Shinkan Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Okuyama Tadenobu.
Shinkeito Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Matsuura Seizan.
The ryu lasted until 1908. Shinto Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Choisai Isaza.
See Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu Shito Ryu [1]
Karate
Founded by Mabuni Kenwa (1889-1952).
The school uses a large number of kata, about fifty, and power plays a very important role in the performance of its techniques. Shojitsu Kenri Katachi Ryu [1]
1646
taught the way using sword wearing armour. Shorin Ryu
Karate
c. 1830
Founded by Matsamura Sokon (1809-1899).
Further developed by his disciples Itosu Anko, Chibana Chosin and Katsuya Miyahira. Soken Ryu
Kyudo
Sosuishi Ryu [1]
Ju-jutsu
c. 1650
Founded by Fugatami Hannosuke Mansanori.
Before creating his own Ryu, Fugatami studied Takenouchi Ryu and many other schools. Suio Ryu
Kenjutsu
One of the techniques in this ryu is Shiho Giri (four directional cut), adopted in the curriculum of many Iai schools. This ryu is still active in Chiba. Taisha Ryu
Kenjutsu
c. 1610
Founded by Marume Kurando (1540-1629).
Takagi Ryu

c. 1656
A technique developed in the eighteenth century is called Rensa Sankaku ,"three sticks", used as a defense against an opponent with a sword. Takagi Yoshin Ryu
Ju-jutsu
Takeda Ryu
Aiki-jutsu
Reffered to as Daito Ryu Takenouchi Ryu [1]
Ju-jutsu, Kenjutsu, Mijikai Mono (short weapons)
c. 1532
Founded by Takenouchi Hisamori (Toichiro).
This ryu once taught 630 techniques, about 150 are practiced today. Takeuchi Ryu
Iai-jutsu
Tamita Ryu
Kenjutsu
Tamiya Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu
Founded by Tamiya Heibei Shigemasa.
Tamiya Heibei Shigemasa was a follower of Hayashizaki Jinzuke Shigenobus Shimmei Muso Ryu Taneda Ryu
Yari
c. 1600
Founded by Taneda Jubei.
Tatsumi Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu, Ju-jutsu
Teishin Ryu
Ju-jutsu, Kenjutsu
Founded by Terama Heiazaemon.
Tendo Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Saito Denkibo.
Tenshin Shin-yo Ryu
Ju-jutsu
Founded by Iso Matemon.
It once taught 124 atemi techniques, and also Osae (immobilization) and Shime (strangulation) techniques. Tenshin Sho Ryu
Kenjutsu
Founded by Icchu Baichu-ken.
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu [1] [2] [3]
Kenjutsu
c. 1450
Founded by Choisai lzasa ienao (1387-1488).
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu is the first known school to have developed kenjutsu. The ryu is the oldest existing school in Japan, dating over 600 years. Tenshin Shoden is literally translated as divine transmission with the full name translated as the true and correct martial tradition of the gods.The school is centred around the sword with other weapons such as bo, naginata, kodachi, and yari being used in the partner practices. Tento Ryu
Naginata
Toda Ryu
Kenjutsu
Toda-ha Buko Ryu [1] [2]
Naginata
Togakure Ryu

c. 1200
Founded by Daisuke Nishina.
This ryu is still active in Iga. Toyama Ryu [1]

Tsuda Kan Ryu
So-jutsu
Referred to as Owari Kan Ryu. Wado Ryu

c. 1939
Founded by Ohtsuka Hidenori.
Yagyu Ryu [1]
Kenjutsu, Ju-jutsu
Founded by Yagyu Muneyoshi Tajima no Kami (1527-1606).
Yagyu is the name of a village close to Nara, where this noble family originated. Yagyu Shingan Ryu [1] [2] [3]
Ju-Jutsu
Yagyu Shinkage Ryu [1] [2]
Kenjutsu, Iai-jutsu, Ju-jutsu.
c. 1603
Founded by Yagyu Munenori.
Yagyu Munenori was an instructor to the Tokugawa family. The first five Kenjutsu forms of the Yagyu Shinkage Ryu set are known as San Gaku Tori Age Zukai. The names of these kata are: 1) Itto Ryodan; 2) Zantei Setsutetsu; 3) Hankai Hanko; 4) Usen Saten; 5) Chotan Ichimi. The Fukuro-Shinai, a practice sword invented by the Yagyu family during the 1600s, is unique for this ryu. It consists of a split length of bamboo approximately four feet long, which is encased in a red tight-fitting leather bag. The development of this shinai was brought about to encourage safety in training while eliminating the need the pull one's cuts during practice. The Iai-jutsu training consists of the Saya no uchi batto gohon set, the five basic Iai forms in this ryu. Yamaga Ryu
Kenjutsu, Ju-jutsu
Founded by Yamage Soko (1622-85).
Yamaguchi Itto Ryu
Kenjutsu
Yamato Ryu
Kyujutsu, Kyudo
c. 1640
Reformed by Morikawa Kozan in 1664, who created the non-military from of Kyudo. Yanagi Ryu
Ju-jutsu, Kenjutsu
c. 1750
Yo Ryu

c. 1660
Yoshin Ryu

c. 1732
Founded by Akiyama Shinobu.

[Toby Christensen]

I hear reports Musashi assassinated a 10-year-old boy. Not good.

[Miguksaram]

Again, IF the Niten Ryu is a recognised school of bujutsu, there would be "lineage" records.
The Japanese are extremly constipated about these matters.

I see. Yes, the Japanese were very good at record keeping.

[Ronin]

I hear reports Musashi assassinated a 10-year-old boy. Not good.

That was a "typo", in japanese the character for assassinate and assrape are almost the same.

[Matt Bernius]

Going from memory (always a dangerous thing) the Book of Five Rings was originially a series of letters written to a Pupil of Musashi. A quick search of the 'net turned this up:

After six years in Ogura, Musashi was invited to stay with Churi, the Hosokawa lord of Kumamoto castle, as a guest. He stayed a few years with lord Churi and spent his time teaching and painting. In 1643, he retired to a life of seclusion in a cave called "Reigendo". Here he wrote Go Rin No Sho, addressed to his pupil Teruo Nobuyuki, a few weeks before his death on the nineteenth of May, 1645. " (Source - Victor Harris http://www.samurai.com/5rings/transintro/life.html)

It appears that in later life, Musashi did take on students. No whether that was to explicitly teach swordsmanship or simply strategy I leave to others with more knowledge,

- Matt

[Method2Madness]

i thought he had killed a 13 year old boy. but i got that info from the novel

in the novel it says the boy was the heir to the yoshioka school.