Hongaku Kokki-ryu Yawara /(Shibata Tradition) Preservation Society

【Purpose of Activities】

I am the eldest son of Kosaku Shibata, who, before his passing, was entrusted by the late Yoshiaki Otsu Shihan (12th generation master of our style) with the words, "I'm counting on you to carry on" and granted me a certificate of permission to teach. My deep desire is to accurately preserve and pass on as much information as possible about Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa, an ancient martial art with roots in Tsugaru tradition, to future generations. To that end, I'm gradually undertaking the meticulous work of corroborating historical facts and martial techniques, recalling memories from my training under my father, and cross-referencing information, all within the time I have available.

Unlike today, where systematized historical documents often serve as textbooks, my initial training was entirely through oral tradition, much like in the Edo period. I vividly remember the struggle of keeping up. My father would simply say, "Today we'll practice [specific technique]," and I'd be faced with a string of unfamiliar terms.

I also recall that not everything was taught systematically, perhaps due to my father's specific approach, and I learned techniques that don't appear in any existing historical documents. This leads me to hypothesize that perhaps this is why he often said, "There are no books." I now understand that through constant repetition and the logical breakdown of each movement, the art was absorbed into my body.

What I've come to realize through my current activities is how incredibly fascinating taijutsu (body techniques) are. Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa was also known as "Hayamichi-no-mono" (those of the quick path), and observing its techniques and daily practices, it seems to have strong elements of ninjutsu. When I first heard about the training methods from back then, my initial reaction was "Huh? No way, I can't do that." It feels like only now, at my current age, I'm finally beginning to understand why my father was so deeply engrossed in it.

My Primary Goal

• Clarifying Misconceptions About Otsu Sensei
  
  

  It's crucial to address and correct the misinformation circulating about Otsu Sensei, especially the incorrect claims that the Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa was lost with his passing or that he completed all his duties as a master before he died.
  
  My deepest desire is to prevent any inaccurate information from tarnishing Otsu Sensei's name. As the recipient of his "Kyojo" (certificate of permission) and the one entrusted to carry on the tradition, I can attest to the fact that he deliberately passed on the lineage and knowledge. The art was not "lost" with his passing; rather, it was intentionally transmitted to the next generation.

• Aiming for National Diet Library Archival
  
  

  Book Concept-1:
  Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa - A Child's Perspective
  This book isn't going to be a dry, technical manual on Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa. Instead, it'll offer a unique and deeply personal look at the art, told from my perspective as the child of a master who truly embodied the style.
  
  Growing up, our household was, to say the least, unconventional. As a kid, I just assumed every family was like ours. But looking back now, it was truly a strange and fascinating environment. The book will explore events, observations, and hypotheses from my childhood, revealing how Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa shaped our daily lives in ways I didn't fully grasp at the time. It's a story of a martial art seen not through the lens of a detached observer, but through the curious and sometimes bewildered eyes of a child, offering insights into a martial tradition that was truly lived, not just practiced.

  
  

  Book Concept-2:
  Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa - The Unwritten Path
  Growing up, my father's actions often transcended what I considered "normal" human behavior. As a child and then a student, I would hear stories, sometimes accidentally witness events, and even physically experience things that defied conventional explanation. Looking back, I've developed a few hypotheses about these seemingly unprompted actions.
  
  Our household was deeply immersed in Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa, a martial art that, as I mentioned, incorporates strong elements of ninjutsu. My father's daily life was a testament to this, even when he wasn't formally training. I recall instances where his movements were impossibly fast, his presence seemingly undetectable, or his reactions far beyond what mere reflexes could explain. These weren't demonstrations for an audience; they were often spontaneous occurrences that left me baffled and sometimes a little scared.
  
  My working theory is that these moments were not just products of his rigorous physical training, but also a result of a deeply ingrained understanding of body mechanics, spatial awareness, and perhaps even an intuitive grasp of human perception. He didn't just know the techniques; they were an intrinsic part of how he moved and interacted with the world. It was as if his constant, repetitive practice had so thoroughly integrated these principles into his being that they manifested without conscious effort.
  
  This continuous, almost unconscious application of the art, even in everyday life, might explain why he often stated there were no "books" for our style. The true learning wasn't in theoretical study, but in a complete physical and mental absorption of the principles, leading to actions that appeared almost superhuman to an outsider—or in my case, to his bewildered child.

  
  

  Book Concept-3:
  Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa - The Unseen Dimensions of Training
  The Secret Curriculum: Instinct and Inherited Tradition One of the most intriguing aspects of my upbringing, and something I'm still trying to fully grasp, involves a discreet method of instruction passed down through the lineage of Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa. This was a direct teaching from Otsu Sensei himself, a way to secretly instill the foundational skills of this inherited martial art into one's own children and grandchildren.
  
  It wasn't until I was in my 40s, while interviewing Otsu Sensei's top disciple, that the pieces truly began to click. The disciple described a particular type of "action" or "behavior" that mirrored something I had experienced directly from my father, Kosaku Shibata. The realization was so striking that it actually made me laugh—this was the "secret curriculum" in action, passed from Otsu Sensei to his top disciple, and from my father to me.
  
  My working hypothesis is that this method goes beyond mere martial arts training. It may be a way to reawaken inherent human instincts that modern life has caused us to naturally forget. While the specific details of these methods are still something I'm considering how much to reveal, the implications are profound: that within this ancient tradition lies a path to reconnecting with fundamental human capabilities.

• My Lifework: Restoring and Reconstructing Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa
  
  

  Addressing the Mysteries of a Revived Art You've hit on a crucial point: the profound mystery surrounding a martial art that was once considered lost, especially one, like Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa, that was inherently built on secrecy. It's true, the "unknowns" vastly outnumber the "knowns" when dealing with a style that almost slipped into obscurity. Even when Otsu Sensei's direct disciples were still alive, there were countless perplexing aspects, and now, to my knowledge, there's no one left to confirm or explain these enigmatic elements. This very sense of mystery and the lack of verifiable answers is something I intend to explore as a hypothesis within the book. It's an integral part of the story—the challenge of reconstructing and understanding a secret tradition when the direct lines of inquiry are gone. This adds another layer to the narrative, making the journey of rediscovery even more compelling.
  
  I consider myself fortunate that my training wasn't just about learning how to perform techniques, but also understanding the underlying logic—the "why." While old documents often lack the crucial intricacies of a technique, I repeatedly refine my understanding through the lens of principles, physics, memory, and historical texts. This process is incredibly time-consuming. Since I don't have a daily partner for practical validation, I gently ask my wife to assist me with these soft proofs.
  
  I'm glad to hear that the preliminary interviews with the national broadcasting company helped you recover so much of your dormant memories. The power of visual media truly is remarkable. It makes perfect sense that you're now appealing for information to try and expedite that process.
  
  There's no casual "you'd understand, right?" involved here. I'm actively reaching back over 40 years into my memories, given my age. If this were something easily done, or if I had continued practicing it regularly until recently, I would have received my certificate of permission from my father, Kosaku, over 25 years ago and become the master myself. Such profound secrets are never simple. I hope you understand that this is entirely within the scope of my uncompensated activities.

• Seeking Successors for the Preservation Society
  
  

  Finding the Next Guardian of Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa My life and physical capabilities have their limits. That's why I am actively searching for someone to inherit this vital work. If I find the right successor, I intend to transmit everything I know, including my methods of analysis. While I have sons, I've concluded that they are not suitable to take on this specific task. My priority is to ensure the accurate preservation and continuation of Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa.

※Even my wife, who usually cooperates with my eccentricities, has been sternly lecturing me.
"Are you doing martial arts verification again? Don't you have other things to do right now?" she asks. While working, studying for certification exams, watching TV news, or even holding my chopsticks during a meal, I'm unconsciously moving my arms and conducting verifications. My wife knows exactly what I'm up to. It's deeply moving to think that my father must have verified things in the same way, which allowed him to answer any question instantly.

On a personal note, I also feel quite a bit of pressure. In a sense, I've come to realize that without substantial support from the prefecture or other sources, continuing to preserve an ancient martial art in modern times can easily be dismissed as just a hobby. Apparently, Aomori Prefecture is behind the times, as the Board of Education has consistently rejected support for years.

My Enduring Conviction

It is unavoidable that information about our school will close its historical curtain as accurately and quietly as possible, and for many years I thought I would not be involved.

I felt a sense of crisis regarding the current situation.

However, in recent years, I've noticed an increase in information about the Tsugaru traditional culture, Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa, on various websites, including Wikipedia, that I believe to be inaccurate, and this information is spreading throughout Japan.

What does it mean to master a martial art? I sometimes feel a sense of pity when people who don't understand the true essence of Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa speak as if they do. Incidentally, to my knowledge, the last direct successor to Master Otsu was alive and well until the COVID-19 pandemic. I even interviewed him directly when he was in good health.

To those researching our school

I believe there are some who are researching the techniques of our school through old documents and the like. It would be a great honor if you would conduct your research with respect for the successive masters of our school in your heart.

My motivation for these activities is

My motivation for these activities is solely the desire to, in some small way, respond to the wishes of the late Master Otsu and the successive masters who were incredibly kind to my deceased father, out of respect for them. From a family perspective, I observed my father's activities since childhood, happily listening to and experiencing the public and private stories of our school, and through the knowledge gained from repeated questions and answers, I wish to leave behind as much accurate information as possible for future generations, which is why I am engaged in this pro bono work.

When I was in elementary school, I met Master Ikuaki Otsu several times, and he also visited our home. Anyone who has seen his photographs would understand; his dignified demeanor captivated even me as a child.

I feel that I must, while I am alive, verify the information regarding Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa, the traditional martial art of Tsugaru, to the extent possible. As a considerable amount of time has already passed, I anticipate that it will take a fair amount of time to compile even a partial summary.

The scope of information to be released about our school is

As those who practice martial arts would understand, we will not publicly disclose specific techniques. Furthermore, we will not publicly disclose licenses, and they are stored elsewhere.
The reason for not publicly disclosing licenses, as those who practice martial arts would realize, is to prevent easy replication in this digital society.

The reason I have remained completely hidden until now is

I personally had a life plan for the next two years, but I felt firsthand that time was short due to the aging of those involved, so I decided to prioritize this, even if it meant pushing my own plans back. Although people who had known about me for over 20 years had been requesting my involvement, I remained completely hidden, anticipating that if I stepped forward, it might tarnish the names of the successive masters, or if someone perceived it as "Kousaku Shibata's son sold Honkaku Katsumi-ryu Wa," I would spend time on explanations.

However, as if my father strangely pushed me forward, 2025 arrived, and I, concerned for 100 years from now, was there, and my body naturally began to move. I also want to note that, for some reason, many strange encounters have continued to happen to this day.