Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu in the UK

Seminar '23

 On 12-14 May 2023, we are very happy to host our first seminar with kaicho Toby Threadgill! Sunday's session will be open to the public. If you are interested, join us and learn more about TSYR directly from our headmaster, join us!

Key information for the public session:


  • When: 14 May 2023, 9:30 - 16:00 including one hour lunch break
  • Where: Chelmer Valley High School, Court Road, Chelmsford CM1 7ER
  • How much: £60



You can download our flyer here.

If you would like to join, all you need to do is register your interest via our Google form.

Register your interest

Our Mission

As part of a small but international organisation, we maintain Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu (TSYR), a koryu jujutsu. We do this by studying and practicing its techniques, skills, concepts and wider traditions. We strive for effectiveness and efficiency of technique; however, our ultimate goal is to maintain the ryu and its inherent knowledge, in order to pass it on to the next generations. We are part of the Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin Kai, the official organisation (Jap. kai) representing TSYR.

Looking to join?

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What is...

What is koryu jujutsu?

To answer this question, we recommend koryu.com, one of the authorities on Japanese koryu in the English-speaking web:


"Koryu literally means "old flow" and is used in Japanese to refer to old styles, schools, or traditions (not necessarily only in the martial arts). The simplest English translation of this term is "classical." Bujutsu is one of several Japanese terms meaning martial arts or techniques […] So, putting the two together, you get "classical martial arts" (of Japan)." (Source: A Koryu Primer by Diane Skoss)


TSYR considers itself jujutsu. The essential translation of "classical martial arts" remains the same; however, it comes with different nuances. Again, we’d like to refer to people with more authority than ourselves. David Maynard-sensei, former kaicho of TSYR, has written an excellent article on this topic, which is available on the kai’s main website: What is Jujutsu by David Maynard-sensei

What is TSYR?

Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu, TSYR in short, is a koryu jujutsu style consisting of hand-to-hand as well as a variety of weapon techniques.


"Shindo Yoshin-ryu, founded in 1864, is a composite of two prominent jujutsu lineages, the Akiyama Yoshin-ryu line via Tenjin Shinyo-ryu, and the Nakamura Yoshin Ko-ryu line via Totsuka-ha Yoshin Ko-ryu. Its mainline teachings also include influences from Jikishinkage-ryu kenjutsu and Hokushin Itto-ryu kenjutsu while the Takamura-ha includes further influence from Matsuzaki Shinkage-ryu. The founder (ryuso) of Shindo Yoshin-ryu jujutsu was a renowned samurai and Kuroda Clan retainer named Matsuoka Katsunosuke." (Source: Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu: History and Technique by Toby Threadgill and Shingo Ohgami)


This website aims to represent as many UK based members and groups of the kai as possible. It is maintained by the Shinwa Dojo based in London. While we take utmost care in writing and selecting content, anything stated on this website may or may not reflect the views of the wider organisation. Please treat information accordingly. When in doubt, please reach out.

TSYR practitioners in the UK

TSYR in the UK

Today, several groups across the UK are practicing TSYR. Currently, the only group with dojo status is the Shinwa Dojo covering London & Southeast.
Shinwa Dojo

Further Reading

This list of links will provide you with further reading on the topic of koryu in general and TSYR in particular. As we are partially a historical preservation society, we recommend doing some research on the topic.

Kai Website

The kai’s website hosts a number of interesting articles and essays as well as an interview with Takamura-sensei himself.
Essays on shinyokai.com

Koryu.com

Excellent articles and information about koryu in general can be found on koryu.com. We especially recommend the reading list at the end of Koryu Primer.
Reading List on Koryu.com

Shindō Yōshin Ryū: History and Technique

In January 2020, Tobin Threadgill-sensei and his late friend and martial arts scholar Shingo Ohgami published an authoritative book on Shindo Yoshin-ryu. On over 400 pages and illustrated by more than 800 pictures, it covers in extensive detail TSYR's history and connections to other arts (such as  Wado-ryu karate) as well as insights into its techniqual curriculum. Ellis Amdur, author of renowned works such as Old School -  Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions, says about the book:

"There are few creditable works on specific classical Japanese martial traditions. Most are limited in the detail that they provide concerning one or another school. Shindō Yōshin Ryū: History and Technique, by Tobin Threadgill and Shingo Ohgami is one of the best of these. "
Buy on TSYRbudoya.com