Ryōi Shintō-ryū is one of a web of schools that can be traced back to
Fukuno-Ryū (福野流), and it's founder, Fukuno Shichirouemon Masakatsu.
Fukuno-Ryū (福野流), along with
Takenouchi-ryū (竹内流) and
Yōshin-ryū (楊心流) make up the three primary lineages of Jūjutsu in the
Edo period (江戸時代 Edo jidai 1603–1868) before the rise of
Judo. It's related styles include: the
Kitō-ryū Jūjutsu (起倒流柔術), from which Kōdōkan Jūdō (
講道館 柔道) can be seen as being partially descended; Jikishin-ryū yawara (直心流柔) and Ise Jitoku Tenshin-ryū Jūjutsu (為勢自得天眞流柔術) also known as Jigō Tenshin-ryū Jūjutsu (自剛天真流 柔術). The 'Jigō Tenshin-ryū densho' (自剛天真流 伝書) states that: "For grappling on the battlefield, Ryōi Shintō-ryū is unequalled."
Fukuno Shichirouemon Masakatsu Fukuno was born (approx.) 1585 in
Settsu, Naniwa (the modern-day area of Osaka, Japan) and known as in his youth as 'Yuzen'. He studied with
Yagyū Munetoshi (柳生石舟斎平宗厳 1529 – May 25, 1606) of the
Yagyū Shinkage-ryū (柳生新陰流) of Kenjutsu (剣術). Fukuno was a Meishu (名手 – master) of
Sumo (相撲) and a Tatsujin (達人 – master expert) of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū. The 'Jujutsu Hottan – Fukuno Shichirouemon den' states that Fukuno: "... was an intrepid character, with great strength, he lifted mighty bronze pots. He took pleasure in learning the techniques of
Nomi no Sukune (野見 宿禰). Fukuno endured mental tortures and developed his physique, and after twenty years or so, he finally acquired mastery of Nomi no Sukune's techniques. People spoke of him admiringly. He fights with great strength and battles with great valour. With his technique, he defeats an opponent in barely a minute, or two. His determination is to fight to the death. His techniques are correct, who could deny him victory."
Meiji period Later, in the ‘Meiji period’ (1868–1912), Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsuka –
Hansuke Nakamura (中村半助) was considered the toughest martial artist in Japan. In 1886, Nakamura fought a match against the famed Kōdōkan
Judo (講道館 柔道) champion
Yokoyama Sakujiro (横山 作次郎), known as ‘Demon’ Yokoyama (鬼横山). Both men fought for 55 minutes, but as neither prevail the match was drawn. Nakamura was declared champion of East of Japan and Yokoyama champion of the West.
In contemporary Japan As with many koryū jūjutsu styles, the main
sōke (宗家) line of the Ryōi Shintō-ryū in Japan is now lost. The only related school currently taught in Japan is Ise Jitoku Tenshin-ryū Jūjutsu (為勢自得天眞流柔術), which is a derivative of the Ryōi Shintō-ryū (良移心當流)that was combined with techniques from Yōshin-ryū Jūjutsu (楊心流柔術). Ise Jitoku Tenshin-ryū (aka Jigō Tenshin-ryū 自剛天真流) was founded by Fujita Chosuke Roku Norisada (藤田長助麓憲貞) (died 1844) and is under the leadership of 16th generation sōke (宗家) Mifune Toichiro. ==References==