Niten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu.

Musashi Miyamoto was a lonely man who dedicated a long time for mastering Buddhism and swordmanship. In the beginning of the 17th century, he created the very unique kenjutsu school which used both the long sword (katana) and the short sword (wakizashi) simultaneously.

Since there is no fluidity when both hands are used, Musashi did not support the use of both hands on the sword. He explained himself by pointing out that if a sword is held in both hands it will not be easy to wield it freely to either side. Musashi Miyamoto also objected to the use of both hands when one is on horseback or when riding in marshy places, fields or among people.

Having mastered his two swords Kenjutsu style, Musashi declared that it would considerably improve one’s mastery of a Longsword and a Companion Sword such as wakizashi. His argument was that if you master the art of wielding the long sword you will naturally have acquired the power of the Way and so you will come to wield the sword too.

Musashi Miyamoto also perfected the two-sword kenjutsu technique which he termed Niten Ichi Ryu (which means ‘two heavens as one’) or Nito Ryu (which means ‘the school of the two sword). The distinguishing feature of this technique is that the swordsman uses both katana and wakizashi simultaneously. He seemed to have been inspired by the two-handed performance of temple drummers.

That was totally against tradition as most swordsmen of the time were in the habit of holding the katana with both hands. One tremendous advantage of Musashi’s technique was that it was sophisticated, efficient and powerful. It involves no flashy, impulsive, unwanted movements. Another great advantage is that it offers perfect distancing and timing. Consequently, the attack will be very tight and there will be no wasteful movements.

"That was totally against tradition as most swordsmen of the time were in the habit of holding the katana with both hands."

The unique two swords fighting style developed by Musashi Miyamoto, using a katana and a wakizashi together, has been praised for the facility of making efficient use of both weapons at the same time. The method also has several a lot of single sword techniques as well as throwing methods. Musashi used to throw his wakizashi during the fight.

We have to note that the Niten Ichi Ryu style was designed from his direct experience. There you discern the passion for innovation and perfection shown by a master swordsman. Although the method has become famous mainly because of the practice of the simultaneous use of two swords, it also involves techniques with Tachi (which is a single long sword), Kodachi (a short sword), and the Bo (which is a long wooden stick).

Musashi Miyamoto has been renowned as a master of throwing weapons. Quite often he threw his short sword perfectly. It is the strong belief of Kenji Tokitsu that the real secret technique of Niten Ichi Ryu was the shuriken technique for the wakizashi.

Today, Yoshimoti Kiyoshi keeps the long lineage of the great Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu style as a member of its 12th generation of practitioners.