Konshikai 金翅会 Hokushin Ittō Ryū Berlin

It is with deep regret that we announce that on Monday, the 26th of January 2026, Mr. Faber Elias was formally hamon (banished) from the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō.

This decision was reached following careful and unanimous deliberation among all daihyōsha (representatives) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō worldwide, in accordance with our long-standing tradition that all matters of hamon (banishment) are decided collectively by all representatives of our school, together with the sōke (headmaster).

This process was undertaken upon the presentation of clear, substantiated, and compelling evidence demonstrating that Mr. Faber engaged publicly in political extreme right-wing and racist/discriminating behaviour, including the display of racist symbols associated with “white power”. Such conduct constitutes a profound violation of the principles, values, and ethical foundations upon which the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō stands and is entirely incompatible with our tradition. Any form of racism, discrimination, or demeaning behaviour stands in direct opposition to our core values and gravely undermine the integrity, harmony, and dignity of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō. Such behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

All members of Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō are bound by the principles set forth in the Nyūmonsho (Membership Application), which every student is required to read, accept, and sign upon entry into our ryūha. It explicitly states:

“All members are treated equally according to our tradition, given their standing within our ryūha (school), regardless their age, gender, ethnical background, social standing, physical impairments or their religious and sexual orientation.”

In order to safeguard the tradition, reputation, and moral standards of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō worldwide, the decision has therefore been made to formally expel Mr. Faber Elias with immediate effect. This action reaffirms our unwavering commitment to equality, respect, and the faithful preservation of our tradition, both in conduct and in practice.
We hereby expressly and unequivocally distance ourselves from all past, present, and future actions of Mr. Faber Elias.

Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō
7th Generation Sōke (Headmaster)
Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke Taira no Masatomo

On October 13th 2025, the Allgäuer Zeitung, one of southern Germany’s leading newspapers, published an extensive and beautifully written article about Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō and its 7th generation sōke, Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke.

The feature highlights not only the rich history and philosophy of this classical Japanese karyū (family school), but also the sōke’s dedication to preserving and transmitting authentic Japanese samurai traditions to people around the world. It’s a wonderful step in bringing greater public awareness to a tradition that continues to inspire discipline, clarity, and cultural appreciation.

Please enjoy the read (German only)!
www.hokushinittoryu.com

Hyōhō Taisha-ryū & Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō at the Samurai Museum Berlin Register now by email at [email protected] and experience the living tradition of Japanese warriors at the Samurai Museum Berlin on November 12, 2025! Immerse yourself in the world of Hyōhō Taisha-ryū, whose origins lie deep in the mystical mountains of Kyushu, and discover the powerful swordsmanship of Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō, which emerged during the turbulent late Edo period. Program: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM – Interactive museum tour 8:00 PM–8:30 PM – Swordsmanship demonstration 8:30 PM–9:30 PM – Samurai workshop (try your hand at using a Japanese sword) Swordsmanship Demonstration: In a unique performance, Uehara Eriko, 15th Sōke (headmaster) of Hyōhō Taisha-ryū, and Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke, 7th Sōke of Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō, together with masters from both schools, will bring the centuries-old legacy of the samurai to life for you this evening through precise, powerful, and elegant swordsmanship. Workshop: A rare opportunity to experience the discipline, philosophy, and artistry of the samurai firsthand – not just as a demonstration, but as an encounter with Japan's living cultural heritage. Limited spaces available! Register now: [email protected] #samuraimuseumberlin #japaninberlin #berlinevents #kenjutsu #hokushinittoryu #hokushinittoryuhyoho #taisharyu #hyohotaisharyu