Here is a trailer for the first ever documentary about the Taisha-ryu with English subtitles.
A documentary film about a group of modern day samurai, who train in a 450 year old traditional style of Japanese swordsmanship – “Hyoho Taisharyu.
The Hyoho Taisharyu documentary, filmed in the spring of 2014, captures a moment in time in the ongoing story of one of the oldest martial arts schools in Japan.
It includes exclusive and penetrating interviews with Eriko Uehara, the granddaughter of the late 13th Headmaster who is striving master the art and with the head of the dojo, Master Yamamoto Takahiro who has dedicated his life to preserve and now promote this unique, pure and almost unknown tradition to both his fellow Japanese and to the wider world.
This film shows many of the skills and techniques of Hyoho Taisharyu. It includes Kata (pair training with wooden swords), Iai (real sword drawing techniques) and Kumidachi (pair training with real swords)
Filming locations of demonstrations and interviews include various areas in Yatsushiro-city, Hitoyoshi-city and the Kuma-gun that were associated with the founder Kurando Marume. These include: the Japanese National Treasure Aoi-Aso shrine, the remains of Hitoyoshi castle, Kanrenji temple and Sokakuji temple.
This documentary (in which I appear very briefly) was made by my friend and training partner Go Kurata, with the help of Yamamoto-sensei.
Posted by David – 36号 逞毘道
Taisha-ryu Kenjutsu study group Australia 