By repetitive practice, one maintains a constant connection with the cosmos by aspiring to jikishin (直心) unwavering intention and seimeishin (生命心) perfect clarity of mind, just like a cloudless sky on a brilliant sunny day.

[10] The Jikishinkage-ryū style descends from the kenjutsu styles developed in the late Muromachi period which overlaps the early Sengoku period, or better dated as late 15th or early 16th century, at the Kashima Shrine by the founder, Matsumoto Bizen-no-Kami Naokatsu (松本 備前守 尚勝, 1467–1524).

There are evidence from 1525 that another samurai named Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami Nobutsuna (1508–1548) is teaching his own style, a form of Kage-ryū kenjutsu.

During the 19th century, Jiki Shinkage-ryū was one of the most popular schools of combative swordsmanship (kenjutsu) in eastern Japan, especially in the Edo area.

The 14th headmaster or sōke (宗家) of Jikishin Kage-ryū Kenjutsu—Sakakibara Kenkichi—was one of the most well-known swordsmen of his time, and the personal bodyguard of the Shōgun.

[11] Sakakibara had hundreds of students during his lifetime, many of them rising to the "rank" of menkyo kaiden (免許皆伝) and shihan (師範), thus able to pass on the full tradition.

His most talented disciple was Yamada Jirokichi (山田 次朗) from whom the Seito-ha (正統派), which means main line system or traditional school.

A less well-known, but highly skilled, menkyo kaiden ranked student was Matsudaira Yasutoshi, who, like Yamada Jirokichi, studied the more traditional ways of Jikishin Kage-ryū.

His name and Jikishin Kage-ryū became famous on the northern island in the times of the Japanese civil war in 1868.

[citation needed] He was the heir of the title of shihan of Jikishinkage-ryū, but unfortunately, he was fighting a losing battle against the Emperor in the revolution.

But he regards his work as a teacher as the continuation of his grandfather’s, Makita Shigekatsu legacy, so he named his school "Makita-ha".

[13][15] Suzuki Kimiyoshi received the state award Hungarian Bronze Cross of Merit, acknowledging his activity in popularizing the Far-Eastern martial arts and introducing the Japanese kenjutsu fencing in Hungary.

The award, proposed by Prime Minister, Mr. Viktor Orbán, on the occasion of state holiday 20 August was granted to sensei Suzuki at the end of July by the President of Republic, Mr. János Áder.

The award was presented on the 18th of August, 2017 by the Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Zoltán Balog in the great hall of the Budapest Vigadó.

[16][17][18][19] There were many other famous practitioners of Jiki Shinkage-ryū under Sakakibara who did not reach the highest levels of the system and consequently were not named as successors.

In contrast, some writers have claimed that other famous historical personages such as Musō Gonnosuke were in the line of transmission of Jiki Shinkage-ryū.

The unpō (運法) is the footwork used in the Jikishinkage-ryū style and can be translated as law, rule or method (for) transporting, conveying or carrying ('walking').

Unlike the suriashi of modern kendo, it is stressed that both feet stay firmly planted on the ground at all times.

The kiai (気合) consists not only of the shouting, like most martial arts, but of the proper way of inhaling and state of mind as well.

This is even more reflected in the synchronous deep breathing called Aum (唵) (or a-un) with one's partner which accompanies most movements.

These movements can be considered as a greeting and a form of meditation, and are usually executed in the beginning and end of a kata or suburi (素振り) session.

Practices are far less dangerous nowadays, the standard clothes in kenjutsu are normal keikogi (稽古着) and hakama (袴).

Preferably all pieces are in the same colour of dark blue or, when one seriously dedicates the practice to the kami (神), in white.

However, in extremely cold conditions one can wear a hat (without sun reflector) and other extra protective clothing.

The following five classical or orthodox kata are the only ones practiced in Japan today and were established in this order by the time of Yamada Heizaemon Ippusai in the late 17th century.

This refers to the pair of guardian deities of Buddhism called niō (仁王), which can be found as large statues at entrances of some of the ancient Japanese temples and shrines.

The left statue is called Naraen Kongō (那羅延金剛) who has his mouth closed, represents the vocalization of "um."

[6] The 15th headmaster wrote this on the meaning of the hōjō no kata: As you live your life, you become hindered by all manner of impurities.

Shidachi uses a large heavy wooden kodachi (like the name of the kata), and uchidachi uses a standard kendo style bokuto or a fukuro shinai.

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).