the tradition's teachings, is set aside only for communication to the tradition's next sōke. The line of succession is as follows: Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu, the founder Mima Yohachirō Kagenaga Akiyama Sangorō Kagemitsu Nishino Shichizaemon Kageharu Yoshino Tōbei Kagetoshi Yoshino Tōzaburō Ietaka Yoshino Tōgebei Sadamitsu Yoshino Yaichirō Sadatoshi Fukuhara Shinzaemon Kagenori Fukuhara Shingorō Iesada Fukuhara Jūjirō Sadayoshi Fukuhara Shinbei Yoshisada Mizuma Hanbei Kagetsugu Katsuse Mitsuyasu Kagemasa Katsuse Yoshimitsu Kagehiro, the current sōke Grades Instead of the modern kyū- and dan-grades, Suiō-ryū, like most other koryū, uses a more traditional menjō system of licenses. These licenses are, from lowest to highest, Shoden, Chūden, Shō Mokuroku, Chū Mokuroku, Dai Mokuroku, Shō Menkyo, Menkyo Kaiden and Inka. The Inka license is given only to the successor to the tradition and is not accessible to others. These licenses act as recognition from the sōke that the practitioner has demonstrated a physical and mental progression in the tradition and later that they have his permission to transmit the teachings of the ryu. As is also common in classical schools, to properly learn its teachings the practitioner must formally join the school through an oath, keppan. In this oath the future member swears not teach or demonstrate Suiō-ryū without the permission of the sōke to preserve the school's integrity. In popular culture The writer of the popular manga series Kozure Ookami (子連れ狼) or Lone Wolf and Cub, Koike Kazuo utilized the name of the Suio ryu for the style of swordsmanship practiced by the protagonist of the series. After learning of its actual existence he visited the headquarters of the tradition in Shizuoka, called the Hekiunkan, to pay his respects. Later, the fight choreographer of the second series of the TV show, featuring Yorozuya Kinnosuke, visited the Hekiunkan and impressed with the movements of the tradition spent some time learning the kata of the school. In the final series of this TV show, the actual kata from the tradition are performed and referenced in amongst the other more stylized movements. References External links Suiō-ryū official site (in Japanese) of 15th headmaster, Katsuse Yoshimitsu Suiō-ryū in Finland Suiō-ryū in France Suiō-ryū in Poland Suiō-ryū in Tahiti Suiō-ryū in the United States Suiō-ryū in Estonia Suiō-ryū in Spain Suiō-ryū in Portugal Ko-ryū bujutsu Japanese martial arts