Meifu Shinkage Ryū Florida Keiko Kai

MEIFU SHINKAGE RYŪ: THE SHŌKEN

Meifu Shinkage Ryū was founded in Japan by Someya Chikatoshi (1924–1999), a lifelong martial artist and serious researcher of shuriken and their methods of use. Someya began his study of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō Ryū in 1940, where shurikenjutsu became a particular area of interest. His continued research into different types of shuriken, methods of throwing, and their practical application eventually led to the development of Meifu Shinkage Ryū in the 1970s.

Following Someya Sensei’s death in 1999, the school passed to his student Otsuka Yasuyuki, who became the second-generation headmaster and has continued developing and spreading Meifu Shinkage Ryū throughout Japan and internationally.

Although the school is best known for Bō Shurikenjutsu—the art of throwing straight metal spikes—shuriken are only part of the story.

Meifu Shinkage Ryū is also a school of Onkenjutsu (隠剣術), the study and application of concealed weapons. This aspect of the school includes a fascinating collection of specialized weapons, several of which were created specifically for Meifu Shinkage Ryū by its founder.

One of the most distinctive is the Shōken (掌剣).

THE SHŌKEN — A BLADE IN THE HAND

The name Shōken (掌剣) can be understood as “palm blade”—a compact weapon designed to be held in the hand and integrated naturally with close-range movement.

Unlike a sword or staff, the Shōken does not announce itself as a weapon from a distance. Its small size embodies the concept behind Onkenjutsu: a weapon that is compact, discreet and immediately available at close range.

Training with the Shōken develops much more than simply learning how to hold a small blade. Its methods are integrated with positioning, movement, distancing, receiving attacks and the empty-hand principles of the school. The weapon becomes an extension of the hand rather than something separate from the practitioner.

This relationship between weapon and empty hand is an important characteristic of Meifu Shinkage Ryū. The same underlying principles can be explored through bō shuriken, weighted chain, short blade, staff, Shōken and the school’s Shutōjutsu empty-hand methods.

The Shōken is therefore an excellent example of what makes Meifu Shinkage Ryū so unusual.

There is much more to this school than throwing shuriken.

Meifu Shinkage Ryū Florida Keiko Kai based in Miami.

Authorized training group under the direction of Soke Otsuka Yasuyuki.

Japanese Martial Arts school of concealed weapons. Training specializes in:
💥Bo Shurikenjutsu (Stick style throwing blade)
💥Fundo Kusarijutsu (weighted chain)
💥 Shokenjutsu (hand sword)
💥Shukenjutsu (cross key)
💥Tantojutsu (short sword)