Manrikigusari/Jutte
MASAKI RYU

Founded by MASAKI Tarodayu Toshimitsu, a martial arts master of Mino Ogaki (fief of the Toda clan: present-day Gifu prefecture) nearly 300 years ago. Masaki developed the art of the chain upon appointment as guard to Otemon Gate at Edo castle (present day Tokyo) under the orders of his lord TODA, in order to protect the gate without the need for bloodshed by the sword.


Masaki Toshimitsu and Otemon Gate


Records of Masaki's chain can be found in many old documents, and has been said to display suprising powers in self-protection and as a talisman. It's teachings are protected by a strict pledge of responsibility and maturity by practitioners to maintain the integrity of the chain, as well as a prohibition of teaching the chain without a license. Such pledges are understandable considering the potential destructive power possible should the chain ever be taught irresponsibly, and reflect the weight of our school's sense of responsibility toward, while preserving and studying our art, guaranteeing safety for our local communities.

Historical Masaki Ryu and Seni Ryu documents

All aspects of jujutsu and taijutsu (Japanese unarmed martial arts) are found within Masaki Ryu’s chain art. WATANABE Kenji, 8th headmaster of our school also served as a master of the tenjin shinyo-ryu school of jujutsu, and it is thought Watanabe also contributed to the development of the chain. During Masaki-Ryu's transmission by its headmasters through the Edo period, several jujutsu schools undertook study, introducing Masaki-Ryu techniques into their curriculum. However, following a thorough survey, it has been ascertained that the art of the chain is almost completely lost in those schools.


Watanabe Kenji-Shihan and Masaki Gusari/Manriki Gusari

9th generation headmaster Nawa Toyotoshi (samurai of the Mino-Ogaki domain charged with regional security) introduced the complimentary art of Edomachikata Jutte Torinawa Atsukaiyou (pronged truncheoun and arresting cord) to the Masaki-ryu syllabus, and trained his son and young grandson from the age of ten as heir-apparent to the traditions. The training took place daily, with the young Nawa at first trying to escape from the punishing training in chain, truncheoun, sword and jujutsu.

Masaki-Ryu was introduced to the modern world by 10th generation headmaster, NAWA Yumio-Sensei of Tokyo, who works to transmit the art to a small number of responsible practitioners to this day, while serving as one of Japan's most prolific and authoritative writers/advisors on period warrior culture. It is the only system of dedicated Japanese chain practice remaining today, and focuses on the practice of the manrikigusari short weighted chain, kusarigama chain and sickle and jutte iron truncheon.

D. Lee

Nawa-sensei - 1980s and today
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