Toyama Ryu Battodo is based on the practical application of the sword as a weapon. It consists of basic cutting techniques, basic kata, advanced two man kata and a variety of specific cutting patterns. It places significant emphasis on the importance of actual cutting with the sword and understanding the intricate details. It focuses on not only the physical details of every action involved in using the sword, but also the mental and spiritual meaning which also must play an equal part in understanding the sword as was once done long ago.
The Rikugun Heigakko (Officer Academy) was established in 1868 at Kyoto to graduate leaders for the new Mejiji Restoration army. It later became the parent school of the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, Toyama Army Academy, which was established in 1873 to teach officers and non commissioned officers.
Its official name was the Rikugun Heigakko-ryo Toyama Gakko Shuco-jo.
In 1874 it was renamed “Toyama Military Academy” and came under the jurisdiction of the Army Academy; in 1875 it came under the jurisdiction of the Army Ministry to teach the military arts of, knife fighting, bayonet fighting, sword fencing, ju-jutsu and sumo.
To ensure the rapid modernisation of the army, the Minister of Military Affairs designed the new post Tokugawa army after the French model; French officers were engaged to staff the academies and oversee the training. After France lost the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the Vice Minister of Military Affairs, Yamagata Aritomo (later Prime Minister from 1889-91; and 1898-1900) wanted to adopt the Prussian military system; however, because of the conservative nature of the Ministry, he was not able to effect the changes until 1878, after becoming the Minister of Military Affairs.
Presently three separate organizations represent Toyama Ryu in Japan.
In Hokkaido - Yamaguchi ha - Greater Japan Toyama Ryu Federation
In Kansai region (Kyoto-Osaka) - Morinaga ha - Greater Japan Toyama Ryu Iaido Association
In Yokohama Tsurumi - Nakamura ha - All Japan Toyama Ryu Battodo Federation.
TOYAMA RYU
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ToyamaRyu Battodo Nakamura-ha
ToyamaRyu, a Japanese sword style, was established in 1925 by a committee,the senior authority being Nakayama Hakudo, who at the time, was the16th soke of the Shimomoru-faction of Muso jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido.This art draws it's techniques and philosophy from the expertswordsmen and their styles of that area. Its roots may be Omori RyuTachi Iai or Tachi Waza of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. It embodies theart of drawing and using the single sword from a standing posture. Itteaches not only drawing and cutting techniques, but also the mentaland spiritual aspects, which govern the daily lives of swordsmen longago.
NakamuraTaizaburo entered the Toyama Military Academy in 1933 and became afencing and bayonet instructor. After WWII Nakamura Taizaburo keptthe spirit of the Toyama Academy alive by organising Toyama Ryu Iaidoafter the martial arts proscription had been rescinded in 1952. In1977, he founded the All Japan Toyama Ryu Iaido Federation. Thesenior master is still Nakamura Taizaburo, a Toyama Academy graduateand a Special Battlefield kenjutsu Instructor. He is also a hanshi10th dan in battodo, awarded bei the Kokusei Budoin. Nakamura senseimodified the original seven-army forms and added an eighth, ittoryudan. Thiss form is actually a test cutting technique. ItsJapanese name means to "cut in two with one stroke". Itsknown also as suemono giri; shin choku girir; nuki uchi; makko,and shomen giri.
Nakamura Taizaburo front row far right.
At Camp Jinmu on the North China-Soviet border 1944. Conducting a special performance of sword versus bayonet forms during a military festival. Bayonet, Sergeant Major Yoshii; Sword, Sergeant Nakamura Taizaburo
Nakamura Taizaburo
Sergeant in the Japanese Imperial Army
