Hontai Yoshin Ryu at KSKD

KSKD is very fortunate to be able to offer traditional and authentic Martial Arts.  Another Art practiced is that of Hontai Yoshin Ryu which  is taught by Matthew Hawthorne.  This is a koryu (traditional) system with its home Dojo (Honbu) in Nishinomiya, Japan.

Our Dojo is a satellite school to the Hontai Yoshin Ryu American branch headquarters, also located in Louisville, KY, and led by the American branch head, Dr. Brian Barnes.

Dr. Brian Barnes (in blue) is the American Branch Head of Hontai Yoshin Ryu. Sensei Matthew Hawthorne (black hakama) is the instructor at KSKD.

About Hontai Yoshin Ryu

Hontai Yoshin Ryu (HYR) is a comprehensive martial art founded in Japan in the 17th century. It’s primary curriculum focuses on unarmed grappling, including a variety of throws, locks, and strikes, but it also includes short sword (kodachi), short staff (hanbo), and long staff (bo) kata, all to defend against the sword (katana). Unarmed defenses against the tanto (knife) and the sword are also studied at higher levels.

Study of this art and its associated weapons begins with a variety of basics, including ukemi (receiving) ways to fall and roll safely without injury, necessary to take the throws on a consistent basis.

Hontai Yoshin Ryu also includes its own set of sword kata, contained within three (3) sets of 5, 6, and 8 kata.

Hontai Yoshin Ryu is an international school, with the majority of students found in Europe. Interaction with both the Honbu and those European deshi (students) is encouraged.  Students have the opportunity to make trips to the taikai (group training) held in Europe. Rank in the international school can only be awarded by the Soke (head instructor) of the system, and is usually tested for at those taikai, once approval is obtained.

For the history and lineage of Hontai Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu, please see the American school website, here:http://www.hyrusa.com/ and the website of the Honbu in Japan here: http://www.hontaiyoshinryu.com/

Our school of Hontai Yoshin Ryu does not currently include intermittent belt ranks. Advancement is left to instructor discretion, based on the perception of certain base level understandings of kihon and preceding kata. Class tends to be both lighthearted and intense, as appropriate. Questions and discussion are encouraged, and outside resources are readily available for additional reading.  For example, see the HYR section of koryu.com, found here: https://www.koryu.com/guide/hontai.html

Participation in this class is subject to teacher discretion and is for those 16 years of age and older.

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