This thought came to mind as I finished working on a blog (Transmitting Koryu). Not many people use this term. Those of us in the martial arts may hear this word in conversation. And as with most Japanese words, are probably using it incorrectly. So what does Koryu mean any way?
Let’s begin with good ole Wikipedia: Ko-ryū
Ko-ryū (Japanese: 古流, “old school”) is a Japanese term for any kind of Japanese school of traditional arts. The term literally translates as “old school” (ko—old, ryū—school) or “traditional school”. It is sometimes also translated as “old style”.
I think they got this one right. Wikipedia goes on to associate Koryu with Martial Arts and even Flower arranging – Ikebana. (Ko-ryū is one of the oldest and most traditional schools of Ikebana. From it, various other schools have formed that carry its name, such as the Nihon Ko-ryū, Katsura Ko-ryū, Miyako Ko-ryū, Ko-ryū Shōshōkai, and Ko-ryū Shōōkai (古流松應会). ) Who knew….
Looking for a bit more information on the definition of Koryu I happened upon an article by Saneteru Radzikowski. Japanese martial arts are usually defined in two groups. Pre-modern and modern. There are no single agreed-upon criteria for the separation. Generally, schools that were founded before 1868 are referred to as koryū 古流 and arts after that, gendai budo 現代武道. The year 1868 is when the samurai as the ruling class was beginning to be abolished and the Meiji government was being established. Some point to the Hatorei, an edict passed in 1878 which restricted the wearing of swords and was one of many nails in the coffin for the samurai class.
In Japan, the terms koryū and kobujutsu 古武術 are used interchangeably. Some people distinguish between the two, however, it might be a semantical issue. I would rather not argue that. Linguistically koryu and kobjutsu are different though. Koryū can be translated and understood as old-flow or system. A style that has been transmitted from teacher to student often with some kind of menkyo kaiden certificate awarded. Kobujutsu simply means pre-modern martial arts.
(please read this and other articles by Mr. Radzikowski by following this link: What is Koryu )
What difference does this make? That is the question of those who are not so deep into the philosophies of the samurai or the study of martial history ask. This matters to those for whom practicing an “authentic” or “real” martial art has importance. The history indicates the methods are “real” as an effective form of self-defense, not choreography for a movie. A person who can swing a bat may not be practicing an authentic martial art. But hitting someone with the bat would be effective self-defense. That’s just my opinion.
After reading the article I am forced to say Kentuckiana Shotokan Karate Do does NOT practice a koryu art. What we have learned and pass on has come from various instructors with over 50+ years of effort. However, no one here has received a certificate (menkyo kaiden) from the head of a style (soke) or claim to be a soke. We do practice in an “old school” manner with a seriousness tempered by a family friendly atmosphere. We like to say we have serious “fun” and work for the improvement of self while developing sound self-defense.
KSKD is fortunate to host a Koryu martial art, Hontai Yoshin Ryu. This system has maintained a “lineage” and information track that goes back to the 17th century. Here is a list of the soke:
*The order of Hontai Yoshin Ryu succession
1:TAKAGI Oriemon Shigetoshi
2:TAKAGI Umanosuke Shigesada
3:TAKAGI Gennoshin Hideshige
4:OKUNI Kihei Shigenobu
5:OKUNI Hachikuro Nobutoshi
6:OKUNI Tarodaibu Tadanobu
7:OKUNI Kihyoe Yoshisada
8:OKUNI Yozaemon Yoshisada
9:NAKAYAMA Jinnai Sadahide
10:OKUNI Buuemon Sadanobu
11:NAKAYAMA Kizaemon Sadataka
12:OKUNI Kenji Hideshige
13:YAGI Ikugoro Hisayoshi
14:ISHIYA Takeo Masatsugu
15:ISHIYA Matsutaro Msaharu
16:KAKUNO Happeita Masayoshi
17:MINAKI Saburo Masanori
18:INOUE Tsuyoshi Munetoshi
19:INOUE Kyoichi Munenori
Working in this art one can see from where a lot of karate techniques come from. With a good teacher, like we have, one can feel how martial arts were practice those hundreds of years ago. The effectiveness. The seriousness. The focus. This is a fun journey for me. Come join in on the fun. (Sign up for a trial) The more we work, the more information is shared. Understanding what koryu is can help.
