Origin Of The Style
TenJin ShinYo GoShin Ryu
Iso Mataemon Masanobu, the 4th Headmaster, wrote a book in 1894 that included the original history of TenJin Shinyo Ryu’s beginning. Kubota Toshihiro, the current Headmaster, provided additional history of the School in a 1983 publication. The historical knowledge pointed to the uniqueness of the School’s creation. Both Jyujyutsu and Goshinjyutsu were developed by the Founder – Iso Mataemon Minamoto No Masatari and configured into the original Style. The inspirational and Divine guidance, spearheading both developments, were quite unique and happened on two separate occasions. TenJin Shinyo Ryu’s greatest popularity period was the catapult for teaching the Goshinjyutsu. TenJin Shinyo GoShin Ryu is the Style taught in the United States, which initially places the emphasis upon the GoShinjyutsu and thereafter continues seamlessly into the Jyujyutsu.
“Softness Conquers Hardness”
Hachiroji Okayama (Iso Mataemon) used the law of the “Softness Conquers Hardness,” which is used in different systems. He added a lot of new research into this concept. He added a new way of attacking and protecting yourself and called it “Tenjin Shinyo Ryu.”
One paragraph that expressed Iso Mataemon’s feelings at this time, written by Ryunoske Nohara, highest disciple and best friend, says, “The Founder of Tenjin Shinyo Ryu, my great Teacher Iso Mataemon Minamoto No Masatari, learned Yoshin Ryu in the beginning, than Shinno Shinto Ryu, from the teacher of Yoshin Ryu, Ichiyanagi Isobe, who was the Retainer – soldier of Ichiyanagi Heibu Shonosuke. Later, he studied Shinno Shinto Ryu, from Honma Takeemon. Then he continued practicing Shinno Shinto Ryu and went on a fighting pilgrimage all over the states. While practicing in Kyoto, he had problems. He thought that if he practiced Shinno Shinto Ryu, his Yoshin Ryu Teacher would lose face. If he practiced Yoshin Ryu, his Shinno Shinto Ryu teacher would lose face. Finally, he brought both of the teacher’s highest disciples, Okada Honosuke and Nishimura Gaikinosuke, together to Kintano Tenman shrine in front of the alter, at Ema Hall (a wooden lapel of the Horse spirit). They practiced Jyujyutsu and invented some new skills. On the lapels they painted the words: Yoshin Ryu – Shinno Shinto Ryu Goryu (combined) Tenjin Shinyo Ryu.
Iso Mataemon wrote a Tenjin Shinyo Ryu catalogue. The oldest one is called the volume of Heaven and Shinno Shinto Ryu Jodan (upper degree). This book was given to Tatsujiro Yamamoto by Okamoto Hachiroji Masatari in December, 1822. At the time, Okamoto was only 19 years old. The declaration of the name – Tenjin Shinyo Ryu – was in 1822 at Kitano Tenjin Shrine in Kyoto. Iso Mataemon continued to travel and practice all over the country.
Iso Mataemon told his disciples that he was under Ichiyanagi isobe and Takeemon Honma for several years each. The total number of years was implied to be more than ten. When the author calculated the time from 1822, it is only three to four years.