Tamiya Ryu
The school of Tamiya Ryu was founded approximately 400 years ago by Tamiya Heibei Narimasa, who learned the art of drawing the sword directly from the founder of iaido Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu.Tamiya Narimasa deliberately used a long sword (o-tachi) with a long handle (tsuka) - Nagatsuka no Katana, because it included three times as many advantages as an ordinary short sword. Ever since Tamiya Ryu started using longswords, all the other schools of the time changed their swords to similar ones. Tamiya ryu became known as one of the leading martial arts schools in the Kishuu region, excelling in dignity and beauty and also won the shogun's favor.
Since 1800 the Tamiya school has been inherited by the Tsumaki family, who have protected and passed down the secrets of the school's teachings as a family art from father to son. In 2007 after the death of sensei Tsumaki Seirin, sensei Fukui Seiichi was entrusted with teaching this school. Unfortunately, the organization split into two lines: Tamiya Ryu Iaijutsu Genwakai led by Tsumaki Kayuo and the other part led by his brother Tsumaki Tatsuo, which also included Ueno sensei and Fukui sensei.
The successor of Fukui sensei became Kenichi Katsumata sensei who covers all of Europe since 2002 and whose student is Patrik Demuynck sensei, who takes care of the development of Tamiya ryu in the following countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Holland, Hungary, Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Jordan, Romania and Australia.
Technique characteristics of the Tamiya Style are that they are done in a large manner and precisely, paying attention to even the smallest of details. Furthermore, one must not forget to include “Nobility” and “Beauty”. In this Style, what was termed ”Tamiya Beauty” and “Tamiya Nobility” in the Edo Period is regarded to be of the utmost importance, along with the other point mentioned.
Moreover, this school not only shapes the body, mind and spirit, but teaches it to be controlled and handled on principle of Katsujin Ken – the sword that gives life (unlike to Satsujin Ken – the sword that takes life). Tamiya ryu is a martial art that strengthens self-confidence, personal growth, body coordination, but also improves language skills, conflict resolution, and at least deepens the development and interest in Japanese culture and traditions.
This is a unique opportunity to learn the 400-year-old art of drawing the sword and get closer to one of the oldest traditional martial arts.