Ryoen Ryu Naginata-Jutsu

Ryoen Ryu Naginata-jutsu is a martial arts style that focuses on the use of the naginata or Japanese halberd.

The style is distinguished by the use of large cuts that travel through the target. Although most practice is with a wooden naginata, the style is modelled on the use of shinken (live-bladed weapons). The style uses both naginata and tanto as paired weapons.

We are fortunate in that Shimizu Nobuko Sensei, the founder and headmaster of the style is also one of Sekiguchi Sensei’s senior students, and therefore we are able to train with her on a regular basis.

Shimizu Sensei

Ryoen Ryu was founded by Shimizu Nobuko, and the style is based on three main sources:

• Shimizu Sensei was one of the senior students of the late Akiko Toya (the 17th Grandmaster of Jikishinkage Ryu Naginatajutsu). Shimizu Sensei received the Toranomaki (certificate) and the grade of 8th dan in Jikishinkage Ryu in 1998.
• Shimizu Sensei received the certificate of full proficiency in Ogasawara Ryu Reiho (formal etiquette) from Tadamune Ogasawara (32nd Grandmaster), and has served on the board of directors of the National Teachers Association of Ogasawara Ryu Reiho since 1980.
• Shimizu Sensei is one of the senior students of Sekiguchi Komei (21st grandmaster of Komei Juku Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu) and frequently travels with Sekiguchi Sensei to teach around the world.

In addition to these Shimizu Sensei also has high levels of skill in the Tea Ceremony, Shotokai Flower arrangement, and lists Kyudo (archery) as a hobby.

Before her retirement in 2003, Shimizu Sensei was Assistant Professor of Musicology at Ueno Gakuen University and Junior College, where she had served for nearly thirty years. She is the author of several books in Japanese on Ogasawara Ryu and naginata, as well as theses on a wide variety of topics.