Abe ryū

Abe-ryū (安倍流)
Abe-ryū Kendo (安倍立剣道)
Ko-ryū
Foundation
FounderAbe Yoritou 安倍頼任 (1624–1693)
Date founded1667[1]
Period foundedEarly Edo period
Arts taught
ArtDescription
KenjutsuSword art
Ancestor schools

Abe ryū (安倍流, Abe-ryū) or Abe-tate-ryū (安倍立流),[2] also known as Abe-ryū Kendō (安倍立剣道, Aberyukendo), is a Japanese sword school founded by Abe Yoritō (安倍頼任) in the 17th century.[3] Abe was a disciple of Taisha-ryū,[4] an offshoot of Shinkage-ryū.[1] He was considered a Kengō (great swordsman) and instructor to the Akizuki-han in Chikuzen Province.

The Abe ryū is known as the first major school of kenjutsu to use the term kendō (剣道) in 1673,[2][5][6] although the characters had also been used earlier in China.[7] Kendō, or ken no michi, "the way of the sword", describes the teachings of his ryū[7] which emphasized mental and moral practice rather than physical techniques.[4] There is no direct connection between the Abe-ryū usage of kendō and the kendo practiced today.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Ueda Masaaki (ed) (2001) 講談社　日本人名大辞典 "Kodansha Dictionary of Japanese People" ISBN 4-06-210849-6
  2. ^ a b Knutsen, Roald (2004). Rediscovering Budo. Kent: Global Oriental. Page 37. ISBN 1-901903-61-3
  3. ^ Draeger, Donn F. (1974). Modern Bujutsu and Budo. New York: Weatherhill. Page 77. ISBN 0-8348-0351-8
  4. ^ a b Draeger, Donn (1973). Classical Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. Boston: Weatherhill. Page 81. ISBN 978-0-8348-0234-6
  5. ^ Tominaga, Kengo (1973). Kendo Gohyakunen Shi (A Five Hundred Year History of Kendo). Hakusui Shoten, Tokyo; p. 20.
  6. ^ Draeger, Donn (1973). Classical Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. New York: Weatherhill. Page 81. ISBN 978-0-8348-0234-6
  7. ^ a b c 上野 靖之 (1966) 剣道教典 (Educational Model Fencing) 尚武館刊. p.180