kajiya takanori, 12th soke
Kajiya Takanori-sensei was initially a student of Imai Masayuki Nobukatsu (10th Soke) of Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu when moving from Tokyo to Kyushu. Soon after he became a student of Iwami Toshio Harukatsu (11th Soke) and for years supported Iwami-soke at the Hombu Dojo and at international seminars.
Prior to Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu, Kajiya sensei had extensive background in Martial Arts, including Itto-ryu, Iaido, Shurikenjutsu and Jujutsu.
On the 24th November 2013 the Soden-shiki ceremony took place in front of the Seishin-chokudo stele, in the Chisen Kaiyushiki Garden of Kokura Castle.
At the ceremony, 11th Headmaster Iwami Toshio-soke formally presented the title of 12th Soke to Kajiya Takanori-sensei. Presenting both a Menkyo Kaiden (full transmission of the school licence) and Miyamoto Musashi’s Jisso-Enman bokuto, the wooden sword believed to be the only original one left in existence. This was in testimony for passing on the title and function of soke to Kajiya Takanori Kougen, 12th soke of Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu.
Kajiya-soke also practises Sado (Japanese Tea Ceremony) with the Osagawara-ryu, where he holds the title of Shihan (Master Teacher). Miyamoto Musashi-sensei had a strong historical connection with the Osagawara-ryu and its school of etiquette.
Today, Kajiya-soke teaches at both hombu in Kyushu and to students around the world to those who wish to learn Miyamoto Musashi's founding school, which survives to this day thanks to the ongoing efforts of our Japanese teachers.
Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu Lineage
1. Miyamoto Musashi Fujiwara no Genshin (founder)
2. Terao Kyumanosuke Nobuyuki
3. Terao Kyoemon Katsuyuki
4. Yoshida Josetsu Masahiro
5. Santo Hikozaemon Kiyoaki
6. Santo Hanbei Kiyoaki
7. Santo Shinjuro Kiyotake
8. Aoki Kikuo Hisakatsu
9. Kiyonaga Tadanao Masazane
10. Imai Masayuki Nobukatsu
11. Iwami Toshio Harukatsu
12. Kajiya Takanori Kougen (Current Head Master)
"We practise kata repeatedly and by doing so, we pay utmost attention to work out our mind and our body and strive to develop strong ki (energy)." - Kajiya Takanori-Soke
Photos provided courtesy of Noriko Maeda san, hombu dojo, Japan