Lineage| Founder | Masaki Tarodayū Toshimitsu |
|---|---|
| Second | Masaki Kizaemon Toshimasa |
| Third | Masaki Kizaemon Toshichika |
| Fourth | Masaki Kizaemon Toshizane |
| Fifth | Miura Kōshirō Kazutsuma |
| Sixth | Kagoya Sawata Takatane |
| Seventh | Handa Sakujirō Katsumune |
| Eighth | Watabe Kenji Masayuki |
| Ninth | Nawa Toyotoshi Yoshimasa |
| Nawa Saikichirō（father of Nawa Yumio）* | |
| Tenth | Nawa Yumio Syoan |
| Eleventh | Instructors: Sano Morikazu, Nakano Hisashi, Nakamura Kiyohiro, Seyama Masahiro** |
| Founder | Kamei Magoroku Shigemura |
|---|---|
| Second | Kamei Rokuzaemon Shigemasa |
| Third | Okada Umezō Shigenaga |
| Forth | Nawa Toyotoshi Yoshimasa |
| Nawa Saikichirō（father of Nawa Yumio）* | |
| Fifth | Nawa Yumio Syoan |
| Sixth | Instructors: Sano Morikazu, Nakano Hisashi, Nakamura Kiyohiro, Seyama Masahiro** |
*Never took the position of sōke, but is here included as he taught Nawa Yumiō and was expected to succeed his father as sōke.
**Nawa Yumiō decided to end the headmaster system and instead named four head instructors (shihan ke) invested with the authority to transmit Masakiryū and Edo machikata jutte torinawa atsukai yō. Only these four individuals are authorised to use the appellation "Masakiryū" in their teaching. No other individuals or groups are recognized as legitimate representatives of Masakiryū.
In the U.S., John F. Quinn, a student of the former headmaster Nawa Yumiō, is allowed to teach under the appellation "Masakiryū" as Nawa sōke's representative.
In Europe, Stephan Licha (Austria ) is allowed to teach Masakiryū as an assistant instructor under the authority of Sano Morikazu shihan ke.
[Contact Information in Europe]
kigen_san@hotmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you teach?
A: As a traditional martial art, Masakiryū is taught through a graded curriculum of fixed forms known as kata, which includes both single person and paired kata. As students progress through the curriculum, they are systematically introduced to the richness of Masakiryū's and Edo machikata jutte torinawa atsukai yō's martial and cultural heritage.
Q: How does the curriculum look like?
A: Students begin from studying the basics of the short chain. Upon having mastered these, they are introduced to more advanced chain techniques, as well as the truncheon and associated rope binding. On the advanced level, two handed truncheon techniques, and finally the sickle-and-chain are studied. As many techniques are designed against opponents using a knife or sword, these weapons are studied to the extend necessary to properly perform the kata.
Q: Is it possible to study only part of the curriculum, such as the short chain or the truncheon?
A: In principle, no; students are expected to master the whole curriculum of techniques in the order they are handed down.
Q: Are there competitions or free sparring?
A: No.
Q: Do you operate a belt or license system?
A: The Masakikai does not use the modern belt system, but rather a traditional system of six levels of licenses, namely kirigami, shoden, chūden, okuden, menkyō, and menkyō kaiden. These are awarded at the shihan ke's discretion.
Q: Do you teach self-defence?
A: No. Masakiryū is a traditional martial art, not a modern self-defence system.
Q: Where do I get the equipment?
A: Masakikai will gradually provide the equipment needed at each stage of the curriculum. We do not sell equipment to non-members.
Q: How do I start?
A: Simply get in touch with any questions, or to arrange a visit.