北辰一刀流兵法 第35回合宿の感想 (松代) | Impressions from the 35th Gasshuku of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō in Japan

Impressions from the 35th Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō Gasshuku, held at the historic bunbu gakkō—the literary and military academy of the Sanada clan in Matsushirō, Japan. From September 10th to 14th, 2025, participants trained under the guidance of the 7th sōke, Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke, together with his father, the retired 6th sōke, Ōtsuka Yōichirō and Emori Naoyoshi, the kanchō (dōjō head) of the Hokushinkan our school’s official dōjō in Tōkyō. This video offers a glimpse into the spirit and character of our annual gasshuku in Matsushirō.

Training as it is preserved within the Hokushin Ittō-ryū embraces a balanced, rigorous curriculum: from suburi (solo cutting exercises) and kata-geiko (pre-arranged forms) to gekiken (traditional methods of full-contact fencing). Students do not merely study techniques in theory—they must also prove and refine them through demanding, full-contact practice. This begins with shinai (bamboo swords), progresses to bokutō (wooden swords) and in the final stages sparring is even done with shinken (sharp blades).

Through its highly effective training methods, which are still fully and authentically preserved within our ryūha (school), Hokushin Ittō-ryū became one of the so called bakumatsu san-dai-ryūha. The three biggest and strongest schools during the late Edo period.

Hokushin Ittō-ryū also traditionally maintains an open-door policy established by our founder, Chiba Shūsaku, in 1820: all challengers from other koryū (classical schools of combat) are accepted and welcome.

In accordance with this tradition, our current sōke, Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke, continues to engage in regular challenges and sparring, instructing senior shihan, shihandai, and shidōin directly through gekiken shiai-geiko (traditional free-fighting practice).

More information about our school can be found at: https://hokushinittoryu.com