Shinkan-ryū Kenpō 真観流剣法
Shinkan-ryū was founded on koryū sword techniques and tradition established from the concentrated study of Edo period swordsmanship of Shintō Munen-ryū kenjutsu 神道無念流剣術 (Shindo Munen-ryu). The philosophical and profound teachings of swordsmanship in Shinkan-ryū Kenpō are conveyed and taught alongside the mundane aspects of bujutsu. Saneteru Radzikowski centers the school on the authentic and correct swordsmanship of pre-modern Japan, and the spiritual development and character refinement of the swordsman. Teachings are both concrete and spiritual just as the classical arts should be.
Shinkan-ryū Kenpō uses the ideas of munen 無念 (non-worldly thoughts), which is a Buddhist concept, and endeavors to pierce the fog of mental hindrances and fetters to show the real truth of our minds and the world. The techniques of the sword and mind are shared at the same level. One does not develop only the sword without the mind in the true tradition of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō. The current head instructor is Saneteru Radzikowski.
Curriculum
Our core curriculum is sword-based using the Japanese long sword (katana) and a short sword (wakizashi). There is a robust syllabus containing Iaijutsu and kenjutsu. Techniques of the jō (medium staff) are taught within jōjutsu. More are listed on the curriculum page.
Ranks & Levels
Shinkan-ryū Kenpō does not abide by the kyu and dan ranking system present in many modern martial arts. For example, the traditional levels of teaching, shoden 初伝, chūden 中伝, jōden 上伝, and okuden 奥伝 exist. The traditional ranks of Kirigami, Shoden, and Sho-mokuroku are some that are used within the school. The ranking is done through traditional scrolls/books (makimono) and certificates (menjo). Promotion through the ranks is based on skill and knowledge. The time between levels is years, not weeks or months.
Equipment
Equipment used in Shinkan-ryuū Kenpō includes the basic bokutō (木刀 wooden sword). Generally, iaidō practice is done using iaitō (居合刀) which are metal swords with non-sharp edges. We also use Shinken, swords with real edges when appropriate. Shinai (slotted bamboo swords) and a few other types of swords are also used. We practice wearing traditional Japanese martial arts clothing (budō-gi) and practice armor (bogu) for kendo/shinai-geiko.
Shinkan-ryū Kenpō does not recognize the authority of any modern governing body. As with many other schools in Japan, Shinkan-ryū Kenpō freely exists outside of any larger group.
Is Shinkan-ryū an official Koryū? It is not a koryū school holding menkyo kaiden from any koryū. We are not affiliated with any other system or group in Japan.