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Shinmei Musō-ryū

Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
(無双直伝英信流)
Founder Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (林崎甚助源の重信) (1542-1621)
Date founded Early 1600
Period founded Azuchi-Momoyama period
Current headmaster Several individuals claim leadership (see below)
Art Description
Iaidō / Iaijutsu Sword-drawing art
Kenjutsu Sword art
Hasegawa Eishin-ryū (長谷川英信流)
None

Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū (無双直伝英信流 or 無雙直傳英信流?) is a Japanese sword art school and one of the most widely practiced schools of iai in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back from the sixteenth century to early 20th century. 17th undisputed headmaster, Oe Masamichi, awarded at least 16 licenses of full transmission, resulting in the school fracturing into multiple legitimate branches.

The school takes its name from its seventh headmaster, Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Hidenobu (長谷川主税助英信), who had founded Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. ‘Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū’ means ‘peerless, directly transmitted school of Eishin.’ ‘Eishin’ is an alternative pronunciation of ‘Hidenobu.’

The founder of the earlier school Eishin-ryū was Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (林崎甚助源の重信). Hayashizaki was born in Dewa Province, Ōshū (present-day Yamagata Prefecture). He lived c. 1546-1621 in what is present-day Kanagawa Prefecture. Many of the historical details of Hayashizaki's life are suspect, since, like most famous martial artists in Japan, his story has been widely fictionalized. It seems that he grew up during a time of constant warfare in Japan and was exposed to sword-fighting methods from an early age. According to legend, Hayashizaki’s father was killed and to take revenge he began training in earnest. He went to the Hayashizaki Meijin shrine to pray for guidance and received divine inspiration for a new technique of drawing the sword and attacking in one movement. Legend says that he eventually defeated his father’s killer.

Following this, Hayashizaki continued on his martial arts pilgrimage, training with renowned swordsmen and attracting students of his own (such as Tamiya Heibei, founder of Tamiya-ryū (Tsumaki)). Hayashizaki established his own style of swordsmanship, calling it Shinmei Musō-ryū (神明無双流).


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