History
Saito Hangan Denkibo was born in Hitachi-no-Kuni Ide, present day Ibaraki prefecture, and studied the arts of the sword and spear under legendary warrior Tsukahara Bokuden. Denkibo’s skill stood out among Bokuden’s many students, but sensing inadequacies in his technique, Denkibo spent 100 days in ascetic training at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura. On the 21st day of the 11the month in 1581, Denkibo dreamt that he was bestowed a special scroll by the deity of the shrine, which contained the teaching for a divine sword technique. On the basis of this heavenly wisdom, he founded Ten-ryu (Heavenly School), which was later changed in the name to Tendo-ryu (School of the Heavenly Way).
Founder: Saito Hangan Denkibo
Mitamura Akinori, the 14th head of the school, taught Tendo-ryu naginata at the headquarters of the Dai Nihon Butokukai in Kyoto, while Mitamura Chiyo, the 15th head of the school, established her own school, Tendo Gijiku, to continue teaching during World War II. Her daughter, Takeko, became the 16th head of the school. Today, Kimura Yasuko, the 17th head of the school, is committed to preserving and promoting the school for future generations.
