www.yagyuryu.com is a site developed and maintained by The Japan Cultural Society and Research Institute of North Eastern Pennsylvania LLC. (JCS&RIONEPA). The primary focus of the site is to offer a global multi-lingual bridge between the many groups and schools associated with the study of various forms of bujutsu that can trace their lineage to Yagyu Ke Bujutsu.
These schools include (but are not limited to) subordinates of Kasuga, Kashima, Katori and Hotokuji.
Although many of these schools are now labeled as a “koryu”, such as in the case of the famous Yagyu Shin Kage Ryu, it should be noted that relative to the inception of the bugei within the village of Yagyu, Nara Ken and several eastern territories such as Hitachi, that these koryu are indeed very young in age.
The original bugei that were practiced amongst the Yamato, were not a ryuha, nor were they organized as such. No fixed ranking system was attached to their study. The original methods of training were developed and maintained by the clan that in-turn utilized them as effective forms of goshinjutsu. As a true sogo bujutsu, study of empty hand as well as armed training was addressed.
James Benson, the founder of JCS&RIONEPA, has been active in the study of various bugei since 1966. Over this intensive course of study, Mr. Benson has trained in Japan, China and Taiwan. Mr. Benson has also recognized a common link between many of the postures and principles specific to various Chugoku Kempo (Hsin Yi, Baji, etc.) and those of various forms practiced under the Yagyu Ke umbrella.
The below was authored by Reverend Hashimoto, head priest of Hotokuji and provided to James Benson for the purpose of helping "outsiders" better understand the purpose of Hotokuji. Reverend Hashimoto and his extended "family" are responsible for the Yagyu Family repository and maintenance of the Yagyu Family grave sites within Yagyu Village.
Please click on images to expand.
Apprenticeships are offered in
both the
For
further information please write to:
JCS&RIONEPA
PO Box 342
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327
Copyright
2009 The
All site material protected under the terms of the International Congress
Union; all rights reserved.