Katori Shinto Ryu

Traditional Japanese Sword & Weapons Training.

Classes: Sundays from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Defense Arts Center dojo:

1842 W. 11th St. Unit D, Upland CA. 91786

Instructors: Riichi Kitano Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai, Masashi Odate Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai
Fees: $150 per month

Our Website: https://www.katorishinoryu-la.org/
Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katori.shinto.ryu.la_shinkiryu/

About Katori Shinto Ryu:

The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū is a comprehensive Field combat martial arts system. This means that unlike modern martial ways such as kendo or iaido, which concentrate on one specific area of training, study is made of a broad range of martial skills.

Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu is the oldest extant classical Japanese martial art, more than 600 years old. Founded in in the early Muramachi Period (15th century) at the Katori Jingu Shrine in the Chiba Prefecture by Choisai Ienao. It is a comprehensive “heiho”, art of war/strategy. The style has been passed down in an unbroken lineage for 20 generations. It has been declared by the Japanese government as an “Intangible Cultural Asset”.

Comprehensive study : kenjutsu, iaijutsu, bojutsu, sojutsu, naginata, jujutsu, as well as other strategies.

※ Dojo Oath ※

1. Upon training, one must participate with righteous and harmonious manner.
2. Upon training, one must follow the rules of courtesy.
3. Upon training, one must participate with “clear, bright, right, and pure” manner.
4. Upon training, one must avoid any danger that may cause injury to oneself and others.
5. One must take full responsibility of any injury and accidents that may happen during classes.

The primary curriculum includes:

Risuke Otake Sensei

One of the greatest swordmasters of the modern era.

Risuke Otake (大竹利典) (10 March 1926 – 7 June 2021), full name Otake Risuke Minamoto no Takeyuki (大竹利典源健之), was a Japanese martial artist. He was a long time Shihan (Teaching Master) of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shinto-ryu bujutsu, which he learned as a disciple of the previous teaching master Hayashi Yazaemon (1892-1964) from the time he entered the school in 1942 at the age of 16.

In 1967, when Otake Sensei was 42 years old, he received gokui kaiden, the highest level of attainment in the tradition, and at the same time became the school's teaching master. He lived and taught in rural location near Narita city, in Chiba Prefecture of Japan. The teachings of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu were designated an Intangible Cultural Asset of Chiba Prefecture in 1960, with Otake designated as guardian of the tradition. He authored Strategy and the Art of Peace, as well as an earlier three-volume set of books on the tradition entitled The Deity and the Sword: Katori Shinto-ryu.

Riichi Kitano Sensei
Menkyo/ShihaNDAI

Riichi Kitano Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai is descended from samurai. His primary teachers and mentors are Otake Risuke Shihan, Otake Nobutoshi Shihan of the Shinbukan Dojo in Japan. He also teaches Karate, Judo, and Aikido.

Masashi Odate Sensei MENKYO/SHIHANDAI

Masashi Odate Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai is also descended from samurai. He is a US representative for Katori Shinto-Ryu and teaches out of Los Angeles and the Upland DAC dojo. He is a martial artist, actor, and producer, known for his appearances in The Last Samurai, Dragonball Evolution, Letters from Iwo Jima, and Falcon Rising.