Shinto Munen Ryu

• Japanese:神道無念流
• Type: Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu
• Founder: Fukui Hyoeimon Yoshihira 神道無念流
• Era: circa 1735

Fukui Hyoeimon learned Shin Shinkage Ichden Ryu under Nonaka Shinkura. Unsatisfied he assumed the status of Musha Shugyô. Traveling to Togakure Mountains he would devote himself to the Itsuna Gongen Shrine. It is said that there Fukui would train and meditate relentlessly for 50 days, and that on the 50th night he achieved enlightenment, after which he developed and codified his revilation "Shindo Munen Ryu".

Saitô Yakuro Yoshimichi the fourth successor Shindo Munen Ryu would establish the Renpeikan in Edo. The Renpeikan became one of most popular dojo in Edo, during the Bakumatsu.

Famous Swordmen of The Ryu

• Nagakura Shinpachi
• Serizawa Kamo
• Katsura Kogoro
• Ito Hirofumi
• Takasugi Shinsaku
• Inoue Kaoru
• Nakayama Hakudo
• Nakayama Zendo
• Saitô Yakuro Yoshimichi
• Nakura Kiyoshi

References

• Tennen Rishin ryu official site http://www.tennenrishinryu.com/
• Shinsengumi Zentaishi Tettei Guide (新選組全隊士徹底ガイド) Maeda Masaki
• Kendo World vol 2 No. 4, 2004
• Shindo Munen-Ryu to Bakumatsu no Kenkyaku- Yamamoto T.
• Shindo Munen Ryu, Nihon Densho Bugei Ryuha- Ogawa Takashi