Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū

Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
(無双直伝英信流)
Ko-ryū
Foundation
FounderHayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (林崎甚助源の重信) (1542-1621)
Date foundedEarly 1600
Period foundedAzuchi-Momoyama period
Current information
Current headmasterSeveral individuals claim leadership (see below)
Arts taught
ArtDescription
Iaidō / IaijutsuSword-drawing art
KenjutsuSword art
Ancestor schools
None
Descendant schools
Hasegawa Eishin-ryū (長谷川英信流)

Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū (無双直伝英信流 or 無雙直傳英信流) is a Japanese sword art school and one of the most widely practiced schools of iai in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back from the sixteenth century to the early 20th century. 17th undisputed headmaster, Oe Masaji, awarded at least 16 licenses of full transmission, resulting in the school fracturing into multiple legitimate branches.

The school takes its name from its seventh headmaster, Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Hidenobu (長谷川主税助英信), who had founded Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. ‘Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū’ means ‘peerless, directly transmitted school of Eishin.’ ‘Eishin’ is an alternative pronunciation of ‘Hidenobu.’