Shinkendo
Grand Rapids

Obata Toshishiro is the founder and headmaster of Shinkendo Japanese swordsmanship. Looking to expand on the sword work taught in aikido training, the young Obata cross-trained in several other disciplines, including Yagyu Shinkage Ryu swordsmanship under the twenty-first generation Yagyu Nobuharu-soke, and the study of Zen with the members of the Shiyukai. Additionally, through the experience gained with the Tokyo Wakakoma and the martial arts connections made during this time, Obata ardently studied classical sword arts as well as other budo while developing skills as an action coordinator and actor.  In 1980, Obata came to the USA after being entrusted with the title of Chief Instructor for North America of Toyama Ryu and Nakamura Ryu battodo by Master Nakamura Taizaburo, as well as Chief Instructor and Founder of the USA Battodo Federation by the All Japan Battodo Federation. After about ten years of teaching Battodo, Obata-sensei redirected his efforts into developing the fundamentals of his own stylized sword art, Shinkendo, a system based upon his experience, knowledge and historical research.

“Shin (True) – Ken (Sword) – Do (Way)” is a system of Japanese swordsmanship which incorporates fundamental aspects of sword study: Suburi (swinging methods), Battoho (drawing methods), Tanren Kata (solo forms), Tachiuchi (sparring) and Tameshigiri (test-cutting). The Shinkendo World Headquarters is located in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Shinkendo is currently being led by Soke Yukishiro Obata.

Learn more at Shinkendo.com