From: Tenri University Journal 212:35–42, 2005

Ryōi Shintō Ryū Wajutsu (良移心当流和術)

Written by Shinohara Shin’ichi (篠 原 信 )

Introduction:

We can trace back the current Kōdōkan Jūdō (講道館柔道) to the Tsuki no Shō (月の 抄) of Yagyū Shinkage Ryū (柳生新陰流). This work is a complete manuscript, in which Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi (柳生十兵衛三厳) organises the voluminous works of his grandfather. In these works, there are detailed references to “soto no mono no koto” (外の物の事) and “wa no koto" (和の事). From this, we can see that the systematisation of techniques for empty-handed (無手) suppression had progressed since the age of Sekishūsai Munetoshi (石舟斎宗厳). Soto no mono (外の物) refers to Kowakizash Iai (小脇差居相) and torite( 捕手), and we can confirm that this indicates a jū no ri (柔の理) in Yagyū Shinkage Ryū. Fukuno Shichirōuemon (福野七郎右衛門), master of Yagyū Shinkage Ryū, studying from an early stage under both Yagyū Sekishūsai Munetoshi and Tajima no Kami Munenori (但馬守宗矩), added the jū no ri (柔の理) to his own form of grappling to form the revolutionary and exquisite Ryōi Shintō Ryū Wajutsu / Jūjutsu (良移心当流和術). This style was greatly admired by both Munetoshi (宗厳) and Munenori (宗矩) as an unparalleled secret art (秘術).