Hongaku Kokki-ryu Yawara Shibata-den Preservation Society

A full year has already passed since I began this work. Day and night, even in that space between dreams and sleep, I continue to speak with my father in my heart. Even now, memories and realizations sometimes come to me like images projected from an old film reel. Looking back, even though it may have seemed like a detour, stopping once to reassess was the right decision. I continue to be astonished by the depth of Hongaku Kokki-ryu in every respect.

I could never have come this far alone. I offer my deepest gratitude to the many people who have supported me.

Master Saito Mohei was not originally among the subjects I intended to investigate. Last October, I received information about him from a certain dentist and began looking into it, but the investigation proved difficult. Then, the moment I encountered information about The Story of Maeda Mitsuyo, Master Saito’s name surfaced again. The timing of this renewed connection, just as I had reached an impasse, felt like more than coincidence. I am grateful for this mysterious bond.

I remember that whenever my father or other members of the tradition spoke about Hongaku Kokki-ryu, they did so with complete seriousness and clarity, without the slightest cloudiness. If I asked a question based on a mistaken understanding, I was sometimes scolded not only by my father but by others as well. That is how seriously they regarded this tradition.

I too feel I must straighten my posture and speak about Hongaku Kokki-ryu with that same seriousness. Of course, when it comes to stories of mistakes and failures, those can still be told with laughter.

Recently, I found a pagination or binding error in an old document held by the Odawara Library and contacted them about it. They investigated the matter in great detail. Their conclusion was that the error may have originated with the author, Fujita Seiko, or possibly with the original source itself. Because the material is preserved as part of the valuable Fujita Seiko Collection, they decided not to correct it but to preserve it as it is.

I also consulted them about the book I am currently preparing, most likely as an e-book. They kindly replied that it would be acceptable to cite the material as long as I clearly indicate the error. I feel relieved that, while I am still alive, I may be able to present both the correct information and the error for future readers.

I am being helped by the special skills of many people. Through old documents, I have reached words from 360 years ago. When AI translates them into modern Japanese, it feels almost as if Soeda himself is sitting beside me and speaking.

Each day is a struggle of hypothesis, inference, verification, and observation as I follow my father’s testimony. I unexpectedly found words I had been searching for, believing they must exist somewhere. I am grateful to be walking this path of inquiry step by step with all of you.

I took only half a day off on New Year’s Day, and since then I have been running at full speed with no weekends or holidays. The density of each day is so intense that dreams and reality sometimes feel blurred.

I have also heard that Maeda Mitsuyo may be the subject of a film in 2028. Somehow, this too feels like a mysterious connection pushing me forward. There is simply not enough time. Even when my heart feels close to breaking, I will keep moving with this current.
Hirosaki Tourism Information: Maeda Mitsuyo

2025 is coming to an end. This year has been especially demanding. Since around March or April, I have worked every single day on something related to Hongaku Kokki-ryu. I feel that I must act before the remaining fragments of information disappear.

I received a phone call from an author who has written about the martial traditions of Tsugaru, and we were able to connect. The person was full of energy, and my own spirits rose immediately. It felt as though my accumulated fatigue had been blown away.

Recently, I visited the graves of Soeda Gizaemon Sadatoshi and Tsugaru Genba Masatomo. Because the names of the temples were mentioned in academic papers, they were easier to find, and the priest kindly guided me. I sensed an indescribably solemn atmosphere there, and I also made some personally surprising discoveries.

Grave of Soeda Gizaemon Sadatoshi

Grave of Tsugaru Genba Masatomo

Whenever I can make time, I investigate small fragments of information related to Hongaku Kokki-ryu. I feel that, at this moment, information about the tradition still remains scattered here and there throughout Tsugaru, but only just barely.

I have been working on this investigation almost every day until after midnight. But continuing alone like this is beginning to bring me close to my physical and mental limits. Perhaps I am simply anxious because time feels so limited. Each day I move forward only to take steps back, and I find myself reflecting on my own inadequacy.

Next year I will be busy for several months with a professional examination, so I may have pushed myself too hard before that begins. Before I damage my health, I have started to rethink how I am approaching this work.

In 1963, the style attracted attention by forming a sports youth group ahead of much of the country, including both boys and girls. There was also a live appearance on RAB, Aomori Broadcasting, in 1965. It appears that not only boys but also girls trained at the time, suggesting that the tradition was deeply rooted in the Tsugaru region.

At the former Ishidoya Residence beside the Horikoshi Castle Ruins, we gave a demonstration of Hongaku Kokki-ryu Yawara, Hayashizaki Shin Muso-ryu Iai, and Bokuden-ryu at the request of the Cultural Properties Division of the Hirosaki City Board of Education. University and high school students also participated in the Hongaku Kokki-ryu Yawara demonstration, creating a warm atmosphere shared with the audience.

On Sunday, September 14, demonstrations of Bokuden-ryu, Hayashizaki Shin Muso-ryu Iai, and Hongaku Kokki-ryu Yawara were held at the Sasamori Residence, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. University and high school students also participated in the Hongaku Kokki-ryu Yawara demonstration. It made me feel that, long ago, such things may have been part of everyday life.

I received what might be called proof that I have been working hard. Due to heavy smartphone use, excessive keyboard use, and the added strain of martial arts verification work, my wrist became overloaded. I was diagnosed with an ulnar-side ligament injury. In a strange way, it felt like evidence that I had been pushing myself.

My wife and I have nine PCs between us, and I have been upgrading seven of them from Windows 10 to Windows 11, while also testing online calls. It is frustrating not to be able to move forward as quickly as I would like.

I recently participated in training in Bokuden-ryu swordsmanship, which is said to share certain roots with Hongaku Kokki-ryu. The practice involved entering with a short sword against an opponent holding a long sword, allowing us to experience distancing, or ma-ai, directly. As I advanced toward the opponent with a short sword in one hand, at a certain distance my body reacted: Stop. Do not go any farther. My feet almost stopped on their own.

Through this experience, I confirmed that the danger-sensing ability I thought had faded after my father’s death still remains within me.

Even during the Neputa Festival and Obon season, I have continued solo practice within reasonable limits. I have repeatedly had interesting experiences in which I suddenly remember small details and key points of techniques I had forgotten.

During the Hirosaki Neputa parade period, I went to see the Neputa float that Shubudo participated in. For my part, I have been almost entirely occupied with verification practice, photographing old documents, and organizing materials.

On July 20, I attended a hands-on workshop at Higashin Arena in Sumida, Tokyo, commemorating the publication of Exploring Hongaku Kokki-ryu, Volume 1 by Masamichi Kono of the Shinfukan Bugei Research Institute. Anyone eligible to attend would certainly have benefited from taking part.

I discovered Master Otsu’s certificate and record of transmission. Several points that had previously been unclear are beginning to emerge as hypotheses.

On June 28 and 29, Masamichi Kono of the Shinfukan Bugei Research Institute visited Shubudo, where a research training session on Hongaku Kokki-ryu Yawara was held. I learned a great deal from the experience.