the kata), and uchidachi uses a standard kendo style bokuto or a fukuro shinai. All the three stages of this kata have shidachi running into "combat" with uchidachi. Jikishinkage-ryū is unique because the kodachi is used with two hands on the tsuka. Habiki no kata The fourth kata is called Habiki no kata (刃挽之形) or Koryū (古流) kata and it is a blend of concepts from Hōjō no kata and Fukuro Shinai no kata. Both shidachi and uchidachi use habiki (a sword without a sharp edge) in this kata set. In several places both shidachi and uchidachi end up on one foot after cutting. There are four kata (the second and the third stages are in one block) in Habiki no kata, and they are the old version of Hōjō no kata. Marubashi no kata The Marubashi no kata (丸橋之形) is the most advanced kata, it focuses on very difficult kiai and subtle movement. To the casual observer it looks as though nothing is happening in the kata at all. Shidachi uses kodachi and uchidachi uses odachi. Like the last set of kata both use shinken. This kata used to be a secret. It is not clear when the secrecy was lifted but the kata is, like the other five, described with text and photographs in the book of Yamada Jirokichi that was published in the early 20th century (1927). List of representatives The table below depicts the Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū kenjutsu lineage which spans over five centuries. Present day practice The table below lists places where groups currently are practicing Jikishinkage-ryū Kenjutsu can be found. See also Japanese martial arts terms References External links 鹿島神傳直心影流 Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu, Naganuma-ha – Shinbukai 鹿島神傳直心影流 Makita-ha Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu Kenjutsu Ko-ryū bujutsu Japanese martial arts Japanese swordsmanship