2025 Demonstration Otake Shinbukan jingu omote

Описание: Otake Nobutoshi and Shinbukan Dojo have a long standing relationship with Katori Jingu. The yearly demonstration at the Jingu is an annual event which continues to deepen the centuries long relation between the Jingu and the Tradition. It strengthens the decades long connection between the Dojo and the Jingu. In this demonstration the Shihan and Shihandai demonstrate parts of the curriculum not as a mere show but as a form of communication with the God of Katori Jingu. The Sacred Bond: Otake Nobutoshi, the Shinbukan Dojo, and Katori Jingu

The relationship between Otake Nobutoshi, Shihan (master instructor) of the Shinbukan Dojo, and the ancient, spiritual seat of Katori Jingu is not merely a modern affiliation but a vital, deep-rooted connection that stands as a fundamental hallmark of the Katori Shinto-ryu tradition. This enduring partnership is the bedrock upon which the school's spiritual integrity is maintained, extending far beyond simple organizational ties to embody a continuous, vibrant tradition spanning generations. It serves to perpetually reinforce the profound spiritual and historical foundation of this classical Japanese martial art.The Annual Dedication: A Sacred Observance

Central to this enduring relationship is the annual demonstration held at the Katori Jingu. This shrine is consecrated to the warrior deity Futsunushi-no-Mikoto and is recognized as the spiritual home, the very birthplace, of Katori Shinto-ryu. This yearly event is significantly more than a customary public exhibition of martial skill; it is fundamentally a sacred observance—a pilgrimage and a ritualized dedication that honors the deep spiritual roots of the school.

The Ritual of Performance
During this special and highly anticipated demonstration, the Shihan, Otake Nobutoshi, leads the performance alongside the Shihandai (senior instructor) and other practitioners. They perform selected kata (forms) meticulously drawn from the extensive and demanding Katori Shinto-ryu curriculum.

The execution of these forms in this context is fundamentally understood as a form of respectful and spiritual communication with the divine. It is an offering (hōnō) dedicated to the kami (God) of the Katori Jingu. This act serves multiple purposes:

Respect and Gratitude: It is a profound expression of thanks for the centuries of divine protection and blessing that the shrine's deity, Futsunushi-no-Mikoto, is believed to have bestowed upon the school.

Renewal of Commitment: It represents a solemn renewal of the practitioners' commitment to the ethical principles, technical standards, and spiritual purity of the martial way.

Preservation: It publicly and ritually asserts the unbroken transmission of the Katori Shinto-ryu lineage.

The movements and techniques are executed not with an emphasis on mere forceful application, but with an absolute solemnity and precise focus (zanshin) that reflects their profound spiritual significance. This embodies the core philosophical belief within the school: that the practice of the martial art (budo) is intrinsically linked to and dependent upon the divine protection and blessing (goshintoku) of the shrine's deity. This ritualistic demonstration is therefore essential—it ensures that the legacy, the technical excellence, and, most importantly, the spiritual essence of the Katori Shinto-ryu are continually honored, preserved, and kept pure within their traditional and sacred context, maintaining the school's integrity for future generations.