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Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu
In the book known as the Bugei Ryūha Daijiten (武芸流派大事典) which translates into English as the "Encyclopedia of Martial Art Schools", Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (林崎 甚助 重信) (c.1542-1621) is given credit with establishing the Japanese art of iaijutsu (居合術) in the mid-16th century.

While the details of Hayashizaki's life have long been shrouded by the mists of time, many legends have passed down through the centuries that can help today's practitioners of the art that he pioneered catch a glimpse as to who this influential figure may have been and provide further insight into the art to which they devote themselves.

It is believed that Hayashizaki was born in Dewa Province, Ōshū (present-day Yamagata Prefecture) and lived for much of his life in what is now Kanagawa Prefecture. He was born during a violent time in Japan's long history when the entire country was embroiled in constant brutal warfare. As a member of the samurai warrior caste, Hayashizaki was exposed to many different styles of swordfighting from the time he was a young boy.

Legend tells us that when Hayashizaki was 14 years old his father was murdered by a warrior belonging to a rival samurai clan. As was custom at the time, it fell upon the shoulders of Hayashizaki to seek vengeance for his father's death to preserve his family's honor.

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Hayashizaki Shrine
In order to develop a strategy to defeat his more experienced foe, Hayashizaki retreated to the Tenshinsho Hayashizaki Myojin Shrine to meditate and train. It was here after nearly 100 days of prayer to the Kami that he was inspired by a dream to develop new techniques allowing him to effectively draw the sword and execute a lethal cut in one single unified motion. He called his new techniques "Muso-ken" which translates to "Dream-sword" and refined them to a level that was before yet unseen.

It was this strategy that ultimately allowed Hayashizaki to go on to defeat his more seasoned adversary, thereby avenging his father's death and establishing the foundation of a new class of martial arts - battojutsu (抜刀術), the art of sword drawing.

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Hayashizaki continued to train and develop his technique and later taught family members his revolutionary style of swordsmanship which was dedicated primarily to drawing the sword. He became known as a talented martial arts instructor and was sought by many famous swordsman for guidance in order to increase their proficiency, while others adopted similar strategies and techniques to those of Hayashizaki's to enhance their own methodologies of combat.

For over 400 years the essence of Hayashizaki's divinely inspired teachings have since been transmitted via multiple schools from teacher to student. As time passed specialization in these techniques took on the name of iaijutsu, and has since continued to evolve into the method for spiritual development and fortification of character known today as iaido (居合道).




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