Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū

Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū
(天真正伝香取神道流)
Ko-ryū
Meiji Shrine festival special dedication
Foundation
FounderIizasa Chōisai Ienao (飯篠 長威斉 家直, c.1387–c.1488)
Date foundedc.1447
Period foundedMiddle Muromachi period (1336–1573)
Location foundedShimōsa Province
Current information
Current headmasterYasusada Iizasa (飯篠 修理亮 快貞 Iizasa Shūri-no-Suke Yasusada, born c.20th century)
Current headquartersKatori, Chiba
Arts taught
ArtDescription
KenjutsuSword art
BattōjutsuArt of drawing the sword
RyōtōjutsuArt of dual-wielding swords (usu. one long one short)
BōjutsuStaff art
NaginatajutsuGlaive art
SōjutsuSpear art
ShurikenjutsuDart throwing art
JujutsuHybrid art, unarmed or with minor weapons
Ancestor schools
Katori no Ken, Kashima no Ken
Descendant schools

Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū (天真正伝香取神道流) is one of the oldest extant Japanese martial arts and an exemplar of bujutsu. It was founded by Iizasa Ienao, who lived near Katori Shrine (Sawara City, Chiba Prefecture) at the time. The ryū is purported to have been founded in 1447, but some scholars state that it was about 1480.