Yagyū Shinkage-ryū

Yagyū Shinkage-ryū
(柳生新陰流)
Ko-ryū
Foundation
FounderKamiizumi Nobutsuna
(上泉 信綱)
Date foundedc.1568
Period foundedLate Muromachi period (13361573)
Current information
Current headmasterYagyū Kōichi Toshinobu (Became the 22nd sōke in 2006)
Arts taught
ArtDescription
Kenjutsu - ōdachi, kodachi, nitōSword art; with long sword, short sword, and two swords.
Jōjutsu"Short staff" art
ShurikenjutsuSpike throwing art
Ancestor schools
Kage-ryū (Aizu)Nen-ryūTenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū
Descendant schools
Shindō-ryū, Yagyū Shingan-ryū, Ryōi Shintō-ryū

Yagyū Shinkage-ryū (柳生新陰流) is one of the oldest Japanese schools of swordsmanship (kenjutsu). Its primary founder was Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, who called the school Shinkage-ryū. In 1565, Nobutsuna bequeathed the school to his greatest student, Yagyū Munetoshi, who added his own name to the school. Today, the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū remains one of the most renowned schools of Japanese swordsmanship. Its name roughly means Yagyū New Shadow School.