History
The Kashima sanctuary - Kashima Jingû -, in the Ibaraki prefecture, is one of the two Shintô sanctuaries sacred to martial arts. The origines of Kashima Shin ryû go back to a ritual exorcism known as "harai-tachi", based on a demonstration of sword handling, in honour of the god "Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto" revered at the Kashima Jingû. According to the legend, Kuninazu-no-Mahito, developed the technique transcending the physical combat, executed in a spirit of absolute impartiality and moral righteousness. This martial art became known as "Kashima-no-tachi", the Kashima sword. Originally, during the XVI century, the warriors of the Kashima shrine used the name of Kashima Chuko Nen-ryû, Chuko-ryû or Nen-ryû to designate the schools associated with the martial traditions of this sanctuary. Matsumoto Bizen-no-kami Ki no Masamoto (1467-1524 or 1543), whose family held the priesthood of the Great Shrine of Kashima, was the pupil of Iizasa Chosai Ienao, the founder of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shintô-ryû, another celebrated school, which he took as inspiration for creating the Ichi-no-Tachi (the one sword). Renown swordsman, Matsumoto Bizen had perfected a system that he tought numerous guardians of the Kashima sanctuary and transmitted to his descendents. Three traditional schools bear today the name of the Shintô sanctuary: the Kashima Shin ryû, which refers to the new formulation, due to Matsumoto Bizen-no-kami, of the martial traditions of Kashima, the Kashima Shinden Jiki Shinkage ryû (or Jiki Shinkage ryû) of the same Matsumoto Bizen, whose prefix states its relatiohship with Kashima, and the Kashima Shintô ryû of the Yoshikawa family. In 500 years of history, 19 generations of great Masters and warriors have jealously kept the secrets of this prestigious institution while evolving the martial arts.
For whom?
The Kashima no Tachi school can be practiced by all, without distinctions. The kenjutsu, educational discipline by definition, allows you to fully express yourself. From initiation to advanced trainings, you are taught during the practice progression how to master your body, the rythm, the attitude, the coordination of movements and spatial displacements. It's the discovery of the technical principles, dynamics, contact and balance.
With whom?
Trainings are directed by Gildo Mezzo, teacher of the Kashima no Tachi school for more than 20 years. Since a few years, he travels regularly to Japan to study and enrich his knowledge at the Shiseikan dojo (Meiji jingu,Tokyo) with M. Inaba Minoru.