Hozoin-Ryu Sojutsu

Hozoin-ryu sojutsu is a martial art that originated in Nara. About 470 years ago, it is said that Kakuzenbo In‘ei, the head monk of Hozoin, a subtemple of Kofukuji, was inspired to create techniques for a cross-shaped spear (kamayari) upon seeing the reflection of the crescent moon crossing over his spear on Sarusawa pond.

“Thrust as a spear, sweep as a naginata, reap as a sickle,in any case, it will never miss.”
(Master Incho)
As this poem relates, the cross-shaped spear excels in offence and defence. During the Edo period, Hozoin-ryu held sway over the minds of people as the strongest style of spearmanship.
Since 1976, Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha Sojutsu has been transmitted in Nara, its place of origin. Since then,numerous practitioners have continued to train at the Nara headquarters as well as in Nagoya,Tokyo,Hamburg and Toronto.