Nakamura and toyama ryu battodo

NAKAMURA RYU BATTO-DO

... gendai sword attack style.

The wind of change.
In 1952 Nakamura sensei established his own gendai modern sword style he called Nakamura Ryu Battodo Happo-giri To-ho , closely basing it on Toyama ryu battodo and Omori-ryu . Over the years Nakamura ryu battodo has been constantly evolving and as such has seen some changes to its sword-forms kata and sword-techniques.

No Japanese sword arts taught today would be able to lay claim to teach an "original" sword style as intended by its founders, for the simple reason, that warfare, weaponry, battle-techniques and strategies, as well as close quarter-fighting, would have undergone a constant metamorphysis. In our modern age the sword has become more a tool for spiritual development and character-building, and in the process, has lost some of its practical applications and effectiveness; especially when used for showmanship only.

NakamuraRyu Battodo in the 21^st Century.
While actively teaching, Nakamura sensei appointed a number of instructors to represent his style in- and outside Japan. During this period (some 50 years) there would have been a constant state of erudition, re-arranging and correction of techniques, to make them more efficient, practical and adaptable to the New Millennium.

Today there are a number of Federations and Associations dedicated in disseminating Nakamura Ryu Battodo world-wide, basing their teachings and techniques on their present head-masters who, in turn, would have received their instructions in direct line from Nakamura sensei. And, as teaching methods may differ from individual to individual it is somewhat unavoidable that dissimilarities in technique and execution can be detected between the different groups.

The Nakamura Ryu Battodo Happo giri To-ho system
is closely related to the Gunto Soho (military sword) curriculum of the Rikugun Toyama Gakko (Toyama Military Academy), where Nakamura sensei was a knife, bayonet and sword instructor, and consists of:

1) Happo no gamae 1-8                           8 basic postures or sword-stances.

2) Hashu no noto 1-8                              8 basic sword re-sheathing methods.

3) Seitei To-ho kata 1-7                          7 Nakamura ryu battodo basic (kihon) sword-forms.

4) Toyama ryu kata 1-8                           8 Toyama ryu military sword-drills.

5) Toyama kumitachi 1-6                          6 Toyama ryu paired sword-practice.

6) Nakamura ryu battodo kata 1-8 8 advanced Nakamura ryu battodo sword forms.

7) Nakamura kumitachi kata 1-7 7 advanced Nakamura ryu paired sword-practice.

8) Nakamura ryu tameshigiri kata 1-6 6 pre-arranged Nakamura ryu battodo target-cutting (tameshigiri) forms.

9) Nakamura ryu Sojutsu kata 1-6 6 paired spear v sword practice; developed from jukenjutsu (the art of the bayonet)

Hans Fricke, Kyoshi
16 May 2013