The style or way of using two swords simultaneously in Japanese swordmanship is commonly referred to as Nitō-ryū (二刀流 two-sword style). Of course, Shinmen Musashi-no-Kami Fujiwara no Genshin – more commonly known as Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵) was an acclaimed exponent of Nitō-ryū and is revered as one of Japan's greatest Kensei (sword saints).

The Nitōjuku (二刀塾 two-sword private school) has been established to offer Japanese sword training with a primary focus on the simultaneous use of two swords.

Nitōjuku's senior instructor, Greg Clarke, was a monkasei (direct personal student) of Iwami Toshio sōke, the 11th head of Musashi’s Seitō Santō-ha Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū, as well as a monkasei of the late Ishida Hiroaki shihan, a menkyo-kaiden in Noda-ha Niten Ichi-ryū and menkyo in Musashi's Owari Enmei-ryū Kenjutsu (Shunpūkan Dōjō).

The above-mentioned koryū ryūha (classical schools) have real connections to Musashi's teachings, and consist of extant Nitō waza (two-sword techniques), kata (forms) and kuden (oral transmissions).

Genshin Nitō-ryū Kenjutsu (玄心二刀流剣術) is a codified distillation of authentic koryū kenjutsu training over twenty-plus years, across the direct mentorship and transmission from two genuine Japanese shihan (master-teachers), drawing on legitimate Nitō-ryū in both waza (techniques) and corresponding riai (underlying rationale) beyond that which can be presently studied in a single school connected to Musashi alone. As such, it could be considered a contemporary traditional art of Musashi-related Nitō-ryū.

Genshin Nitō-ryū Kenjutsu consists of three practice sets within the curriculum: Kiso (基礎 foundation); Tenkai (展開 expansion); and Tōgō (統合 integration), each with its own character and purpose. The paramount and key set, Tōgō, encompass the same five koryū kata or traditional forms as the Nitō Seihō of Musashi's Niten Ichi-ryū.

Furthermore, although not kata per se but kihon sotai dosa (fundamental paired movements), the inital Kiso and Tenkai sets deliver crucial intrinsic Nitō waza and riai that, in the end, instill additional principles and transmission line variations (henka) which may be integrated within and throughout the Tōgō to provide a more comprehensive and profound understanding of Musashi's Nitō-ryū. Realistically, in the past, there would have been greater depth to Musashi's Nitō principles and techniques than what are now found in any single traditional (koryū) school of the various present-day transmissions within Japan.

Primarily, regular training involves the in-depth study and immersion into the practice sets under the direct tutelage of the senior instructor. The practice is structured and systematic, with the kata of the Tōgō set still retaining their koryū kenjutsu pedagogical methods originally aimed to enable the exponent to successfully use Nitō-ryū in mortal combat.

Although frequently misunderstood, this type of traditional prearranged partner training, using an uchidachi (striking sword) and shidachi (doing sword), results in highly sophisticated and intricate patterns of principle being embedded into the trainee's body and neuromuscular system through an ongoing process of practice and refinement. It is often said within traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship that when all of the curriculum's body of teachings become unified, practitioners are able to exit the forms and attain the ultimate state of unboundedness.

Further, in Gorin no Sho (Book of Five Rings), Musashi also admonishes that the essence of strategy or combat methods (hyōhō/heihō) is simply that the mind acquires virtue [right-mindedness] through it.

There is no free sparring in Genshin Nitō-ryū Kenjutsu - due to the absence of any protective equipment it's simply too dangerous. It's suitable for a person without disability, regardless of gender or previous martial arts experience and there's a minimum age requirement of 18.

We also hold full public liability and professional indemnity insurance through SportsCover Australia, and operate on a non-commercial (non-profit) basis with insurance and membership fee schedules that are intended to cover costs only, like venue hire and public liability insurance.

Training should not be undertaken lightly, it requires a dedicated long-term commitment and a serious attitude towards practice to potentially master Nitō-ryū. Additionally, a Kyū/Dan Grading System also exists for Genshin Nitō-ryū Kenjutsu.

Of course, potential students are welcome to watch a training class and visit by prior arrangement, or attend an upcoming seminar.

Brisbane Dōjō
Tuesday & Thursday 6:30pm - 8:00pm*
Sunday 3:00pm - 4:30pm*
* Member only classes - Visitors by appointment only
St Davids Hall
855 Logan Road
Holland Park QLD 4121

To arrange to visit us or to enquire about training, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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Footnote: the ideal and meaning of Genshin (玄心) is a "Profound Mind".

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