Katayama Hisayasu
片山久安
Founder of the Katayama-ryū (Katayama Hōki-ryū), an Origin School of Iai Swordsmanship, Who Performed His Secret Art Before Emperor Go-Yōzei
Description
Founding the Katayama-ryū (Katayama Hōki-ryū)
Katayama Hisayasu is said to have received a secret sword technique from his uncle Shōan, and later, at Atago Shrine in Kyoto, to have received a revelation centered on the single character "kan" (貫, "penetration"), upon which he founded his own school. Within the Katayama family this school was called Katayama-ryū or Ikkan-ryū; in other domains it later came to be widely known as Katayama Hōki-ryū or simply Hōki-ryū.
Performance Before Emperor Go-Yōzei and the Title "Hōki no Kami"
Hisayasu is said to have performed his secret technique "Iso no Nami" before Emperor Go-Yōzei, and in recognition of his skill was granted the court rank of Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, with the title Hōki no Kami. This title later gave rise to the school's name, Katayama Hōki-ryū.
Transmission to the Higo Hosokawa Domain
Katayama-ryū iai was transmitted primarily through the Iwakuni and Chōshū domains, where the Katayama family itself served, but it was also valued within the Higo Kumamoto domain of the Hosokawa clan. The Hoshino family, who served as instructors of the "three arts" (Hōki-ryū iai, Shiten-ryū grappling, and Yōshin-ryū naginata) within the Hosokawa house, are said to have received their license from Eguchi Yukimasa, the ninth-generation transmitter counting from founder Katayama Hisayasu.
Content and Characteristics
The Katayama main line transmitted both iai (including swordsmanship) and kogusoku (unarmed grappling techniques), but in regions other than Iwakuni and Chōshū, where the Katayama family itself served, only the iai portion was often transmitted.
Later Reputation
Katayama Hōki-ryū is counted among the origin schools of practical iai swordsmanship, and its practice continues to be transmitted today by various organizations across Japan, including the Hōki-ryū Ikkankai.
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