北辰一刀流兵法 千葉道場 / Hokushin Itto-Ryu Hyoho Chiba-Dojo

Today, on the 26th of March, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the official shūmei-hiro (appointment-ceremony) of Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke Taira no Masatomo as the 7th generation sōke (headmaster) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō and kanchō (principal) of the historic Chiba-Dōjō.

On this day in 2016, at the Nakano Sunplaza Hotel in Tōkyō, the leadership of our school was formally entrusted by the 6th sōke (headmaster), Ōtsuka Yōichirō Taira no Masanori, to his legally adopted son and successor, Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke Taira no Masatomo, who previously in 2014 received the Dai-Mokuroku / Menkyo-Kaiden, the license of full mastery and transmission of all physical, spiritual and theoretical teachings of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō.

This transmission of leadership within the main-line / sōke-line of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū was not only carried out by the 6th sōke (headmaster) Ōtsuka Yōichirō, but it was also explicitly entrusted and legitimized through his predecessor, the 5th generation sōke (headmaster), Chiba Hiroshi Taira no Masatane, which reflects the strength, legitimacy, and continuity of our school.

Founded in 1820 by Chiba Shūsaku, the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō was safeguarded for nearly two centuries by the Chiba family as their karyū (family school). During the Edo period, two sōke (headmaster) lines within the Chiba family worked closely together: The Edo-Genbukan line established in 1822 through Chiba Shūsaku and a second sōke (headmaster) line of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū established through his younger brother, Chiba Sadakichi, who founded the Chiba-Dōjō in 1848. During the Bakumatsu period (1853-1868), the Chiba-Dōjō grew into the largest dōjō (training hall) of its time and functioned as the official sibling sōke (headmaster) line to the Genbukan line. For decades, both sōke (headmaster) lines coexisted in close cooperation, sharing responsibility for the preservation and transmission of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū. In 1917, these sibling sōke (headmaster) lines were formally unified when Chiba Eiichirō, son of the 5th and last Edo-Genbukan sōke (headmaster), Chiba Shūnosuke Yukitane, relinquished all responsibilities and entrusted the sole leadership of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū to the Chiba-Dōjō family line, ensuring a single, uninterrupted line of legitimate succession and responsibility for the Hokushin Ittō-ryū thereafter.

This stewardship of the school continued until 2013, when Chiba Hiroshi, the 5th generation sōke (headmaster) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō, entrusted the future of the school to the Ōtsuka family, an old buke (samurai family). The lineage was entrusted to the 6th sōke (headmaster), Ōtsuka Yōichirō, one of the last shihan (masters) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū, who had devoted his live to the school and mastered its teachings in their entirety. Previously, through rigorous study, Ōtsuka Yōichirō was awarded the dai-mokuroku / menkyo kaiden (the school’s highest license of transmission and mastery) by Konishi Shigejirō of the Noda-ha Hokushin Ittō-ryū at the Otaru-Genbukan.

As the direct successor of our ryūha’s kaiso (founder) Chiba Shūsaku, the 7th generation sōke (headmaster) Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke upholds, preserves and protects the unbroken transmission that embodies both the technical and spiritual essence of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū in its original form up to the present day.

This appointment ceremony in 2016 also marked a historical milestone: for the first time in history, a non-Japanese person was formally entrusted with the leadership of a koryū (old samurai school) as sōke (headmaster).

We remember with deep gratitude the distinguished guests who attended the ceremony and honored this occasion. Among them were leading figures from various classical martial traditions, cultural arts and famous samurai families. At this point we also want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all members of our school, to the various other ryūha which work closely together with us in Japan and abroad, and to all the people who are actively contributing to the preservation and protection of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō worldwide.

As we mark this 10-year anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to the preservation, transmission, practice, and protection of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō in its authentic form. With respect for our predecessors and the responsibility towards future generations, we will continue to uphold the principles and values of this karyū (family school) which was established through Chiba Shūsaku and his younger brother Chiba Sadakichi in 1820.
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Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō at the 22nd Japandult in Munich 2025: Enbu, Lecture & Samurai Workshop

On the 14th of December 2025, the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō took part in the 22nd Japandult (Japanese Market) in Munich, Germany, offering two enbu (public demonstrations), two interactive lectures about Samurai history and warfare, and a free “Samurai Workshop” open to all visitors.

The Japanmarket is a successful cultural festival and design market that takes place across various cities in Germany. Celebrating Japanese culture in all its richness, it features workshops, traditional street food, live performances, and a diverse array of Japanese goods.

The Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō enbu was led by Albrecht Sven Kenshin Sensei (kanchō of the Hokutokan in Munich) and Regese Sebastian Naomasa Sensei (fuku-kanchō of the Chiba-Dōjō). Both instructors hold the kajō-mokuroku (third of five scrolls of transmission) and are ranked shihandai (beginning masters) of our school. They were assisted by Kosenko Oleg Nobukatsu sensei (shidōin at the Hokutokan in Munich), Roth Torben Tanemoto sensei (kaichō of the Kangetsukai in Osnabrück) and Rottschäfer Julian Tanesada sensei (fuku-kaichō of the Kangetsukai in Osnabrück), who are all hatsu-mokuroku (second scroll) ranked shidōin (instructors) of our ryūha. Aditionally, several students from the Hokutokan in Munich assisted them during this event.

A particular highlight of the day was the complimentary Samurai Workshop, where more than 30 participants took the opportunity to explore the history, techniques, and philosophy of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō. The interactive session offered a rare and engaging glimpse into the world of traditional Japanese swordsmanship and more than 40 people registered for the upcoming Hokushin Ittō-ryū beginners seminars at the Hokutokan in Munich.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of the Japandult Munich for their continued collaboration and the chance to share the legacy of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō with a broad and enthusiastic audience.
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From the 4th –7th of December 2025, the 2nd Kajō-Mokuroku Keikokai was held at the Chiba-Dōjō, the honbu (headquarters) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō worldwide. This seminar was directly led by the 7th sōke of our school, Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke Taira no Masatomo.

This intensive four-day keikōkai was dedicated to the deep study and embodied realization of teachings reserved for advanced shihan (masters) and shihandai (junior masters) of our ryūha. The primary technical focus lay on kenjutsu Ai-kodachi Tachiwaza (6 kata) and Suwariwaza (5 kata), forms in which both adversaries engage one another using a kodachi (short sword). These kata demand the highest levels of precision, timing, and mutual awareness, expressing the essence of close-range, indoor combat as preserved within the tradition.

Equally central to the seminar were the written teachings of the chū-mokuroku / menkyo (4th of the 5 major scrolls of transmission) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū. These teachings are not theoretical abstractions; they must be realized through direct experience. After receiving detailed instruction on the underlying principles of each concept, participants were required to embody them through shiai-geiko (duelling training). As such, prolonged and rigorous shiai-geiko (full contact duelling practice)—fought directly against the 7th sōke, Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke—formed a demanding and essential part of this keikōkai. For hours, the participating shihandai (junior masters) of the school engaged in live combat against Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke sōke, forging a direct bridge between written transmission and lived martial reality.

In addition, participants were taught the Okuden-Uchikomigeiko of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū—the most demanding and exhausting training method of our school. This practice further deepened their understanding of both the technical and conceptual foundations of the ryūha, pushing body, mind, and spirit to their limits.

True transmission within the Hokushin Ittō-ryū is achieved only through uncompromising practice, direct confrontation, and the inseparable unity of written and oral transmission which are equally preserved within our karyū (family school).
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On Tuesday, the 25th of November 2025, Murgitroyd, Europe’s largest international trademark firm of intellectual property, celebrated its 50th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the firm which has its headquarters in Glasgow and maintains many offices worldwide, invited clients and long-standing partners to a whisky tasting held at its Munich office. For this occasion, Mr. Gordon Stark, the CEO of Murgitroyd was present himself to welcome and celebrate together with the invited guests.

Among the guests were Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke, 7th generation sōke (headmaster) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō and Albrecht Sven Kenshin sensei, the kanchō (dōjō head) of the Hokutokan, our school’s official dōjō in Munich.

For a classical ryūha, the preservation of tradition does not end with physical practice alone. In the modern world, the protection of intellectual property—including a school’s name, symbols, written material, and documented teachings—has become an essential responsibility. Many koryū in Japan are nowadays protected through trademarks. In Japan and oversees. Without proper legal safeguards, cultural heritage risks misuse, misrepresentation, and commercial abuse that can undermine generations of careful transmission.

Murgitroyd has been working closely with our school to protect the intellectual property of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō, ensuring that our name, legacy, and teachings are preserved with integrity and defended against unauthorized use. This partnership allows us to focus on our true task: the responsible transmission of an authentic samurai tradition—while knowing that its legal protection is in expert hands.

The evening offered not only an opportunity to celebrate Murgitroyd’s five decades of excellence, but also to reaffirm a shared commitment to safeguarding cultural and intellectual heritage in a rapidly changing world. We extend our sincere congratulations to Murgitroyd on their anniversary and express our deep appreciation for their continued support and professionalism.
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On the 30th of November 2025, two enbu (public demonstrations) and lectures of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō were presented at the 20th “Japanmarkt” (Japanese market) in Berlin, Germany.

The Japanmarkt is a recurring cultural festival and design market held throughout Germany, bringing together workshops, street food, live performances, and a wide variety of Japanese goods. It provides a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, attracting a diverse and enthusiastic audience interested in Japanese arts and traditions.

The Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō enbu was led by Hiendlmayer Katja Nobuharu, kaichō (branch head) of the Konshikai, the official branch of our school in Berlin. She was assisted by several mokuroku ranked shidōin (instructors) and daihyōsha (representatives) from other branches, including Zitzelsberger Johannes Kiyotsuna sensei of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Shōinkai in Zwiesel, Ball Markus Tadataka sensei of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Seibukai in Bonn, Bruno Francesco Naoyuki dono of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Shunpūkai in Florence, as well as Dao Than-Lan, fuku-kaichō (deputy branch head) of the Konshikai in Berlin.

Together, the group presented two dynamic enbu (demonstrations), as well as two detailed lectures, offering the audience an authentic insight into the history, spirit, and technical depth of a well preserved koryū such as the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō. The demonstration was met with great interest and warm reception by the public.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the organizers of Japanmarkt Berlin for the opportunity to present the Hokushin Ittō-ryū at this lively and culturally rich event.
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On Sunday, the 23rd of November 2025, the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Shunpūkai, the official branch of our school in Florence, Italy, presented an enbu (demonstration) at the 23rd Japanese Festival in Scandicci (FI).

The Japanese Festival is a cultural gathering dedicated to introducing the public to the many facets of Japanese culture, presented through a wide range of traditional and contemporary arts. This year, the event was held at the Rogers Center, providing an ideal setting for cultural exchange and living tradition.

The demonstration was led by Zancaner Stefano Masahide, the kaichō (branch head) of the Shunpūkai, who introduced the audience to the history and fundamental principles of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō. Bruno Francesco Naoyuki, the fuku-kaichō (deputy branch head) of the Shunpūkai, together with several monkasei (regular students) of this branch, then presented a carefully selected repertoire of kata (forms) of the school. These ranged from kumitachi (forms executed in pair) to battōjutsu (sword extraction techniques), culminating in demonstrations of their practical application in full contact using bōgu (protective armor) and yoroi (full traditional samurai armor).

The enbu concluded with a dynamic demonstration of gekiken shiai-geiko (free sparring practice with full contact), offering the audience a powerful impression of the vitality, intensity, and martial realism preserved within our tradition.

The Hokushin Ittō-ryū Shunpūkai sincerely thanks all participants and the public for their warm support and enthusiastic reception. Such occasions reaffirm the importance of sharing living Japanese martial traditions through open cultural exchange and dedicated practice.
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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 22–23 of November 2025, the 12th Ōtsuka-Gekikenkai was held at the Hokutokan, the official dōjō (training hall) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū Hyōhō in Munich, Germany. The event was led by Ōtsuka Ryūnosuke, the 7th sōke (headmaster) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū worldwide.

The Ōtsuka-Gekikenkai is an event held twice each year, bringing together kenshi (swordsmen) from across traditions. Practitioners of both koryū (old schools) and gendai-budō (modern martial arts) are invited to test their skills in a spirit of mutual respect through taryū-jiai geiko (duelling training against fighters from other styles). The focus lies not on competition, but on sincere exchange, technical exploration, and the cultivation of martial understanding beyond the boundaries of one’s own school.

Over the years, the Ōtsuka-Gekikenkai has welcomed kenshi visiting from Japan and abroad, representing a wide range of koryū (schools founded before 1868) and gendai-ryū (schools founded after 1868). In addition, practitioners of modern kendō, aikidō, and HEMA (historical European martial arts) have joined the training, creating a rare and vibrant meeting place for diverse martial cultures.

We look forward to welcoming even more kenshi from different styles to participate and engage actively in future editions of the Ōtsuka-Gekikenkai. The 13th Ōtsuka-Gekikenkai will be held on 14–15 of March 2026 at the Chiba-Dōjō, the honbu (headquarters) of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū worldwide.

All sincere practitioners are warmly invited to join us and take part in this ongoing tradition of open exchange and living martial practice.
www.hokushinittoryu.com