Hikita Kagetomo

Hikita Kagetomo (Tenbun 6 (1537?) – Keichō 10 (1605?)) was a military commander and martial arts master active from the Sengoku period into the early Edo period. His common name was Bungorō. He is also written as "Hikita Bungorō." He was a top disciple of the sword saint Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, and in later generations he was regarded as the founder of Hikita Kage-ryū swordsmanship and Shinkage Hikita-ryū spearmanship. In his later years he took the art name Seiunsai.

Chief Disciple of Kamiizumi Nobutsuna

Kagetomo is also said to have been a nephew of Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, founder of the Shinkage-ryū, and as his direct disciple he honed his skill with the sword and spear. He accompanied Kamiizumi on journeys through many regions, and he was a swordsman who survived the age of warfare, sharing its hardships and pleasures alike. Within the Shinkage-ryū he is said to have been especially accomplished in spear technique, and he was counted among the "Four Heavenly Kings" of the Shinkage-ryū.

Instruction to the Daimyō

Kagetomo is said to have taught martial arts to Oda Nobutada, Toyotomi Hidetsugu, Kuroda Nagamasa and others, and he also served the Hosokawa clan of Tango. Known as a master of both sword and spear, he became famous throughout the provinces and contributed greatly to the spread of the Shinkage-ryū.

Lineage of the Hikita Kage-ryū

The swordsmanship and spearmanship that Kagetomo transmitted are described as an "other Shinkage-ryū," differing in content from the mokuroku (certificates of transmission) that the aged Kamiizumi gave to the Yagyū family. Its lineage was later called the "Hikita Kage-ryū" and the "Shinkage Hikita-ryū," and it was transmitted to the Kumamoto domain of the Hosokawa clan and others. He is also said to have died in Keichō 10 (1605), but he issued certificates to disciples even after that year, so his year of death is uncertain.