What Is Shinkendo?
The way of the real sword, or Shinkendo, is a contemporary Japanese sword style using traditional techniques and methods from several different modern and ancient martial arts.
The way of the real sword focuses on practical application of technique, Shinkendo uses aspects from many arts such as swift movements and responses from Kendo, intensive sparring from Yagu Shinkage ryu and Kashima Shin ryu, powerful strikes from Jigen ryu, swift and accurate tameshigiri from Ioriken Battojutsu, and fluid body movements from Aikido and Ryukyu Kobudo.
The core principles of Shinkendo focus on the Gorin Goho Gogyo (five aspects) of swordsmanship: sword swinging (suburi), drawing methods (battoho), solo forms (tanrengata), sparring (tachiuchi), and test cutting (tameshigiri).
Shinkendo was created by Toshishiro Obata, a martial arts instructor for over 40 years with a samurai family lineage. Obata Kaiso (founder) started his martial arts studies as a seven year uchideshi in Yoshinkan Aikido under Gozo Shioda.
During this time he became part of the Kidotai (riot police) instructional staff. Also during this time he expanded his sword work by cross training in several other arts, including the Yagu Shinkage ryu.
Following his time as a deshi Obata became a member of the Tokyo Wakakoma (an elite group of stuntmen who also serve as fight scene choreographers fro Japanese television and films), for which he was an instructor for several years.
Obata had the opportunity to train with many high level budo instructors and learn many techniques from different bujutsu in order to authenticate scenes and stunt work. Some of these techniques included sojutsu (spear), various sword styles, and archery on horseback.
Some of Obata Kaiso’s other experience include:
-Chief instructor of USA Toyama ryu Battodo federation honbu
-Chief instructor of USA Nakamura ryu Battodo Federation honbu
-Chief instructor of USA Bugekikai Aikido
-4 time champion at the Ioriken Battojutsu cutting competition
-2 time champion at the all Japan Battodo cutting competition
-Shitoka (sword tester) for late swordsmith Kobayashi Yasuhiro
-Zen study under the Shiyukai group
The Shinkendo club at the Toyoda Center is being lead by the Hiuchi Ishi dojo from Flint, an officially licensed dojo of the ISF (Internatioanl Shinkendo Federation).
For more information please visit the Shinkendo web site at
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