Shinto Seishin Ryu

[Nii]

Hi all,

I was researching about the different Koryu in my area (because I'm bored I guess ;)) and came across this one... It doesn't state a particular ryu, but says the teacher has experience in a "Shinto Seishin Ryu" under a Morozumi-sensei. I hopped over to the koryu.com site to check but it was not in the list. Now I know that koryu.com does not have an exhaustive list of all ryu, so I thought I'd post here and see what you guys think of it.

http://japaneseswordschool.homestead.com/

Though admittedly I'm a little sceptical of this site. They use the RSW sparring weapons for instance (those Hong Kong polymer/foam sparring weapon things), which I can't really imagine any Kenjutsu using, though personally I think they are great fun to play around with.

I think the dojo is mostly just Seitei Iaido actually. It is listed in the Kendo/Iaido renmei.

[Tim Atkinson]

Nii,

Shinto Seishin Ryu Kenjutsu was established by Morozumi Eiji Sensei after a long period working in the north of WA as a civil engineer.

Morozumi Eiji Resume (http://www.jpf.org.au/jartists/m/morozumi/morozumieiji.htm) The ryu covers tachi, kodachi, batto and shurikenjutsu. From what I understand the batto was establish with close work with Unno Sensei of Yoshikan Budo Ryu WA. From what I have been able to establish the batto of Yoshikan Budo is derived from Katori Shinto Ryu. I can tell you that the batto of Shinto Seishin Ryu does not resemble that of Shinto Katori Ryu. The shurikenjutsu uses a bo shuriken and students are taught both Shuriken uchi and Shuriken dome (blocking/stopping a shuriken).

Kata include one to four uchidachi, and cover both tachi and kodachi.

Is this koryu, obviously not, and I believe has never been marketed as such. It has stood me in good stead with my further study of Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo.

Morozumi Sensei has more or less retired from teaching and resently handed the role of Shihan onto a senior student. There are representatives of this ryu in most states of Australia as well as Indonesia.

As an introduction to Japanese sword arts, for me it has been of great benefit.

That said, the school you refer to in your post no longer has any connection (as far as I am aware) with Shinto Seishin Ryu Kenjutsu.

If you are interested in looking into this modern Japanese sword art, I would seek out the source rather than a branch. I hope this helps you and others with a better understanding of what Shinto Seishin Ryu Kenjutsu is and is not.

[Nii]

Thanks for the information Tim,

So just to be clear, Morozumi-sensei is the founder of this, not a nth generation soke? In WA no less? That's quite surprising to have something like this happen here in my backwater WA =)

The iaijutsu is derived from Yoshikan, but what about the kenjutsu and other parts of the style? Did Morozumi-sensei have ranks in any other than Yoshikan?

But you are correct, it was not marketed as Koryu. Not this school anyway. It seems to just be called "Kenjutsu" without any actual style. The only mention I saw of Shinto Seishin Ryu was from the instructor profile.

Is there a video/clip/image of some sort I can take a look at to get a feel for what it is like?

[Tim Atkinson]

Morozumi Sensei was until resently the Shihan (I never heard of the words Soke or koryu until much latter) and studied kendo like many of his generation, and I think though not confirmed, that there may have been a body of family waza.

He held no rank in Yoshikan Budo, only that he shared a dojo with Unno Sensei for a while and it was through this relationship that the batto was formalised. Further to my last post, the chuburi and noto and the same at KSR, otherwise there is nothing similar about the two ryu.

There is no media available for review. Only way to see the school would be to attend a lesson.

I am happy to answer any questions to may have. Though of course the best thing to do would be to approach Morozumi Sensei and ask. If he is not teaching there will be senior student how can help I am sure.