Shingetsu Muso Yanagi Ryu Jujutsu Australia

Shingetsu Muso Yanagi ryu - History
The founder, Iwanaga Gennojo Masamitsu (later he used the name Ichiryusai) studied Yagyu ryu kenjutsu and jujutsu with his father Nizaemon Yoshikage at his hometown Imari, Hizen (Saga/Nagasaki). Later he trained in Yoshin ryu jujutsu with a Nabeshima-han senior(hanshi), Koga Judayu.

While he went around the regions for warrior training, he obtained a license (Menkyo kaiden) for Takagi ryu jujutsu and Kukishin ryu bojutsu from Okuni Kihei Shigenobu in Akoh in Banshu (Hyogo). In May 1752 (Horeki), he returned home because of his father's death. He then took over teaching at his father's dojo and taught his students. He kept a prosperous dojo with his fine character.
In March 1753 (Horeki), he selected what he considered to be the stronger points from the other martial arts that he had trained in and developed a new style that he called Shingetsu Muso Yanagi ryu.

Later, a second instructor, Genjiro Mitsuharu, worked for the Nabeshima-han as a bujutsu instructor. Shingetsu Muso Yanagi ryu was kept only within the Nabeshima-han and passed on this way until the present day.

In August 1971 (Showa), the eleventh instructor, Kano Takehiko Rengaku opened a dojo in Amagasaki. Then in July 2003 (Heisei) Iwanaga Genzaburo Masayoshi inherited/became the twelfth Soke. Due to the demolition of the old dojo, in September 2004 a new dojo, Shudokan, was built and continues the style there.


The style:
Shingetsu Muso Yanagi ryu is general martial arts. The main point is body avoidance and doing techniques with no stiffness, not straining and doing the techniques continuously. When doing these movements with empty hands it is Jujutsu, when holding a sword it becomes Kenjutsu, in turn, if holding a spear it becomes Sojutsu. By using the body avoidance and conforming with the regulations of the style, you are able to do any bujutsu with any weapons.