Iwata & OE Masamichi Sensei
IWATA NORIKAZU Born 1913 |
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Iwata Norikazu was born in 1913, his training began in Kochi with students of Oe Masamichi, he went on to University in Tokyo and continued his training there under Mori Shigeki another famous student of Oe Masamichi. Today at the age of 88 Iwata Norikazu is the 19th generation headmaster of the ryu and holds the Menkyo Kaiden (highest level certificate).
He is famous in the sword world of Japan, and is held in the highest regard. Not just as a swordsman, but a historian and writer on the subject, he is still fit and healthy, training and teaching regularly, he has dedicated the rest of his years to passing on the teachings of Oe Masamichi, he does this through the vehicle of the Roshukai. The Roshukai has spread through Japan, Iwata Sensei fears that the Koryu (classical sword) will die out with the event of modern sport IAI introduced in the mid 50s.
The Roshukai offers instruction in the classical style to any sincere student irrespective of what association or group they may belong to and is in much demand in Japan.
The Eikoku Roshukai (English Branch) is neither an Organization or Association but is based on a traditional family school that has its roots in Japan that go back over 500 years.
OE MASAMICHI Born 1852 – Died 1927 |
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OE SENSEI was also the 15th Generation Soke of the Shimomura-ha which was formed, together with the Tanimura-ha after the 11th Generation Soke Oguro Kiyokatsu Sensei died in 1790, OE SENSEI was also known as SHIKEI and as ROSHU, hence the name ROSHUKAI.
OE SENSEI brought together the Hasegawa Eishin Ryu and the Omori Ryu and combined it with the Tanimura-ha into the 43 forms that we now know as Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. OE SENSEI was of strong character and clearly defined the requirements for training in the Ryu. His methods were greatly influenced by actual combat based on his experiences in one of the last sword based wars in Japan called the Hamaguri Gomon no Ikusa (The Clam Gate War) fought at the very end of the Tokugawa Era between 1865 and 1867 at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.
This political war greatly influenced OE SENSEI in developing meaningful Iai techniques. As well as a great swordsman, he was a great teacher and produced many students who went on to distinguish themselves as swordsmen in their own right. He also attracted many Deshi (followers, or disciples) who may have been “masters” in their own right in other styles and Ryu
