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.

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

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

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  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