What is Toyama Ryu?

Toyama ryu Gunto no Soho was created in 1925 as part of the Rikugun Toyama Gakko curriculum, which was founded in 1873, and was a school in the Imperial Japanese Army. Army officers were taught how to use the gunto with the seven battoho techniques that were researched from koryu toho. After World War II, three instructors with relations to the Toyama army school resumed teaching Toyama Ryu to the public. The techniques of the three individuals began to differ as time passed, so the three men came together once in an attempt to unite and standardize their organizations and techniques. Unfortunately, this effort failed.

Nakamura Taizaburo was one of the coaches at the Toyama army school, and he was one of the three mentioned previously who resumed teaching Toyama Ryu after the war. The Zen Nippon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei was established to hand down these Toyama Ryu techniques, and Nakamura Taizaburo titled himself SoShihan of the Federation. This organization added an eighth technique to the original seven part battoho kata (teaching dotangiri) as well as a six part kumitachi (pre-arranged paired form).

Takayama Masayoshi demonstrates "Jissen Budo Takayama ryu Battojutsu". This was the sword method used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, which were essentially the same as the Toyama ryu methods taught in the Army.

The techniques of Nakamura's Toyama ryu changed many times over the years as he realized the irrationality of the original Gunto no Soho techniques when applied to a battle context, and he incorporated ideas from arts like Kendo and various sword ryu-ha. The nomenclature of the techniques also changed; right kesa giri was later referred to as left kesa giri, etc. The name Gunto no Soho also changed to Toyama Ryu Battojutsu, then to Toyama Ryu Iaido/ Battodo.

Toyama Ryu Iaido (Battodo)

During the time that the first tameshigiri competition was being planned, a more neutral name was called for so other sword exponents could also feel comfortable competing. Additionally, some people believed that the Toyama ryu name itself brought back bad memories of the war, and that use of the Toyama ryu name outside the now-defunct military was inappropriate. It was at this time that Obata Toshishiro suggested the name Battodo (instead of Battojutsu), since Iaijutsu had also changed to Iaido. Obata's suggestion was used by Nakamura's group, who in turn established the Zen Nippon Battodo Renmei. Several years later, the Zen Nihon Battodo Renmei splintered into different organizations consisting of Toyama ryu, Battodo, Battojutsu, Nakamura ryu, Todo, Iai Battodo, and others.

Toyama ryu and Tameshigiri Seminars

Nakamura held many seminars in the earlier years in which Toyama ryu and tameshigiri were the focus of instruction. However, since the techniques were changing frequently during that time, the instructors that participated in these seminars now remember and teach different forms of Toyama ryu based on which seminars they had attended.

Many suwari (seiza no bu; techniques from kneeling) Iaido instructors attended these seminars. At one seminar, in which there were 200 participants, Nakamura took advantage of the opportunity to ask the Iaido instructors present why they wear their katana in the belt and practice while sitting in the formal kneeling position (seiza). They replied that they didn't know, that they were taught this way by their instructors, and as such, taught their own students the same way. None of them had asked their instructor, knew the answer themselves, or had researched the roots of their art to find out.

Nakamura Taizaburo

The fact is, historically there was no tradition of samurai wearing the katana in the belt while indoors, and while sitting in seiza position in particular because it was against the samurai code of etiquette. When the long sword is worn in the belt indoors, it is also a disadvantage in regards to freedom of movement. There were several instructors who did not care about the history, they only did what they were taught regardless of whether it was historically logical. Unfortunately, there were also instructors present who only cared about receiving high dan rankings, and were there because they were interested in incorporating tameshigiri into their own style. There were probably also people who practiced suwari-style Iaido or other sword styles that joined Toyama Ryu or Battodo simply to compete in cutting competitions.

Cutting through multiple tatami omote targets. Published in the 1986 book "Naked Blade" by Obata Toshishiro

Interestingly though, there were many Toyama ryu and Battodo students that cross trained in other sword arts. One reason may be that there was not enough technique or diversity in Toyama Ryu and Battodo to be satisfied practicing them alone. The fact is, the eight kata of Toyama Ryu/Battodo combined with Happogiri are too simple and are not sufficient technically to properly understand tameshigiri theory and application. The methods must be supplemented with a more comprehensive study of swordsmanship. Embellishment of the Curriculum - 4 Divisions (31 Techniques) In the Kokusai Toyama Ryu Renmei, the changes in technique are separated into four divisions. In studying all thirty one techniques, one will understand how Toyama ryu has changed over the years and what it really entails. The techniques in Gunto no Soho, Toyama Ryu Battojutsu, and Battodo (Toyama Ryu Iaido) remain as they were at the time they were taught during the aforementioned seminars. While practicing one will realize the dangers in the technique, the good changes in the technique, and where the techniques should not have been changed. The Jokyu techniques were made by omitting the weak points of Toyama ryu while at the same time making them more practical. In Gunto no Soho there are some irrational techniques, however it is the original Toyama ryu technique and it is necessary to study them in order to accurately hand down all of Toyama ryu to future generations. There is significance behind practicing a technique while knowing its flaws, rather than just mimicking them without realizing its flaws and purpose.

The characteristics of the KTRR kata and techniques are:

I- Gunto no Soho (7 techniques)

1. These are the original seven techniques taught at the Toyama army school.
2. There are traces left that indicate that the techniques originated largely from suwari-style Iaido.
3. The rhythm is strange because the techniques were made to suit military marching, which starts with the left foot.
4. There are many straight cuts that were borrowed from Iaido, and these are not practical.
5. There are two techniques where one cuts downward diagonally across the opposite leg. This is very dangerous.

II- Toyama Ryu Battojutsu (8 techniques)

1. These techniques are more practical because all the irrational elements were removed or adapted.
2. The flow and rhythm of the movements are much improved.
3. Cuts across the opposite leg are removed, making the techniques safer.

III- Battodo/ Toyama Ryu Iaido (8 techniques)

1. This set of kata incorporates ideas from Kendo and other sword ryu-ha, making the individual techniques more direct and quicker.
2. The Batto (drawing) is faster and the distance is closer. This requires more skill to perform correctly.
3. The first technique involves a rising diagonal draw-cut across the opposite leg - this is dangerous.
4. The second technique finishes with left kesagiri (instead of right kesagiri).

IV- Jokyu (8 techniques)

1. In the Jokyu techniques, all the weak points found in the other kata are compensated for. This form is safer, and is more complex with a variety of techniques.
2. These techniques cover the zengo-sayu (front, back, side to side) movements more smoothly and more effectively. They emphasize smooth ashisabaki (footwork), taisabaki (body movements), and kensabaki (sword movements), which creates speed and strength in movements.
3. The techniques are practical, so variations can be included easily. This makes the techniques more comfortable and enjoyable.

Tameshigiri is Not a Sport Toyama ryu was taught at the Toyama army school to officers in order to train them to rapidly deploy their gunto from a draw. As a result, there was not enough basic suburi movements in the curriculum, and no kenjutsu style kata or sparring to supplement the Toyama ryu training. The officers at that time already had substantial experience in Kendo, so adding sparring to their Toyama ryu training would have been deemed redundant. However, after the war when the Toyama ryu federation was first established, Nakamura created six pre-arranged sparring sequences (similar in flavor to the Kendo no Kata), but were unrealistic and insufficient when compared with the techniques of koryu kenjutsu. Since there was not enough suburi practice, there were reports of people cutting their knees or palms, or throwing their swords in the periods before, during, and after World War II. Even Nakamura writes about his own injuries in his books. Perhaps it is this reason, to avoid injuries, that the movements and sword swings in Toyama ryu Iaido have become slow. Originally, Toyama ryu emphasized speed and strength to allow for it to be used in battle, and this is evident from the photos of officers training in IJA publications.

The original uniform worn at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, clearly influenced by the European military. Published in the 1986 book "Naked Blade" by Obata Toshishiro

Since Toyama ryu has so few techniques in most curriculums, it seems that the emphasis is placed on the tameshigiri competitions. If this is to be the case, then it must be acknowledged that these lines of Toyama ryu are no longer being practiced in their original form or with the original spirit. Tameshigiri is necessary to check one's toho, but Toyama ryu must not degrade into a sport focused only on cutting.

One must study the fundamentals thoroughly and understand the theory and practice in order to do perform proper tameshigiri.

Toyama ryu Trademark in America

The Toyama ryu of the Kokusai Toyama Ryu Renmei is taught as a gaiden of Shinkendo. Since the practice of Toyama ryu only is considered insufficient, as previously stated, it can not be studied without the practice of Shinkendo. Additionally, since Toyama ryu is trademarked in America by the KTRR, any unauthorized use of the name is prohibited.

Cutting a full tatami floor board. Published in the 1986 book "Naked Blade" by Obata Toshishiro