Tenugui Explanation

Shin Ken Hyaku Jya Futsu

      Note: In Japanese culture, Kami exists everywhere, even in a single grain of rice. Kami can also exist in the sword, as can evil. The heart of the wielder will develop good or evil in the sword; thus, we have the "Katsu-jin Ken" and the "Satsu-jin Ken," the life-giving sword and the murdering sword. Indiscriminately killing a helpless person is Satsujin Ken.

Background

      The aphorism Shink Ken Hakyu Ja Futsu was given to Nakamura sensei by General Araki Sadao, former Minister of the Imperial Japanese Army. General Araki was responsible for changing the military sword to the Type 34 gunto ("samurai sword" style). As the Army Minister he was addressed as Kokka, Excellency.

      After seeing Nakamura sensei perform Toyama Ryu tameshigiri twice on television, General Araki personally requested Nakamura sensei to perform for his 88th birthday celebration in 1964. At the conclusion, General Araki presented Nakamura sensei with the calligraphy "Shin Sho Ken Choku" (True Heart, Straight Sword). Nakamura sensei then humbly requested that Geneneral Araki brushed the words Ken Shink Hyaku Jya Futsu for a donation to the Hayashizaki Iai Shrine in Yamagata. General Araki agreed and wrote the calligraphy on a shikishi (a 12" by 12" piece of paper specifically designed for special greetings) and said he would later brush the characters in a larger format to be engraved for a more suitable donation. General Araki died before he could complete the large sign; therefore, on behalf of Gen. Araki, Nakamura sensei brushed the calligraphy in large bold strokes and donated it to the shrine.

      Nakamura sensei presented the original shikishi, his personal treasure, to the Hayashizaki Iai Jinja, the only shrine in Japan dedicated to iaido. Nakamura sensei lead the campaign to restore the shrine after it fell into dilapidation after the war. The shrine deifies Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu, the founder of Shinmei Muso Ryu Battojutsu --- the root system of what is known today as Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido.

Ko Ara-ki Sada-o   Gen Kok-ka        Bei Ju        
Late Araki Sadao Former Excellency 88th Birthday  

     Ki-nen      Ki      Dai Hitsu
  Celebration   Wrote  Brushed on (his) Behalf

Which translates to "Brushed on behalf of his late former Excellency, Araki Sadao, (which he) wrote on this 88th birthday celebration.

(a) (kanbo'in. Motto seal): Ken Shink (Sword Spirit)

A. Zen Nip-pon To-yama Ryu I-ai-do Ren-mei
(All Japan Toyama Ryu Iaido Federation)
B. Kai-cho Naka-mura Tai-za-buro (kao)
(Chairman: Nakamura Taizaburo (personal "mark"))
C. Naka-mura Ryu Bat-to Do Hap-po Giri So-u sha (Nakamura Ryu Batto Do Happo-giri, Founder)
D. Sho-dai So-ke Naka-mura Tai-shu (in) (Founding Headmaster, Nakamura Taishu (signature stamp: Tai Shu))
E. Hachi-ju-san sai (83 years of age)

Note: Nakamura sensei's "art" name is Taishu. Sensei admires Yamaoka Tetsutaro, whose art name is Tesshu. Three important figures during the Meiji Restoration used the term "boat" in their art names: Tesshu, Kaishu, and Deishu. Nakamura sensei is following this precedence. An art name usually incorporates part of the person's given name.