Mugai Ryu Meishi Ha Soke: Niina Toyoaki
Born Niina Toyoaki in the city of Tsukumi in Oita prefecture on October 2, 1948 (23rd year of Showa), he began learning budo at a young age by starting with aikido. In his twenties, he found a teacher of Shinto Musoryu Jodo and Mugairyu Iaihyodo.
He subsequently began working for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries while devoting himself to budo training in the Mitsubishi Aikido Association. In 1986, he assumed Jodo and Iaido teaching duties in the Association. One year later, he established the Tokyo Jodo Federation and set about popularizing Jodo and Iaido. In 1994, with his Iaido students as the central members, he founded the budo instruction group Suimokai, and subsequently divided Suimokai in 15 organizations. The Non Profit Organization Mugai Ryu was founded in 2007.
Niina Soke and Mugai Ryu
Niina Soke also devised Gyokushin Shinto-ryu, an Iaido and Kumitachi style for handicapped individuals. In 2008 he established the Mugai Ryu Foundation for which he still currently serves as the representative director. He became a shihan (master instructor) in this style in 1986 and received menkyo kaiden (full transmission license) in 1996. Two years later, he achieved hanshi (the highest level of master instructor), and soke successorship in 1999. In 2004, he established Mugai Ryu Meishiha. He is also the soke of Genko-Nito-Ryu, Tosei-ryu Tanjo-jutsu and Gyokushin Shinto-ryu. Furthermore, he holds eigth dan hanshi in Shinto Musoryu Jodo, Uchida-ryu Tanjo-jutsu, Isshin-ryu Kusarigama-jutsu, Ikkaku-ryu Jitte-jutsu, and Chuwa-ryu Tanken-jutsu.
Unlike the other branches of Mugai Ryu, Mugai Ryu Meishiha demands actual cutting on the draw. This is the way the samurai of historical times trained. There are three areas of training that must be sincerely pursued to be recognised as a true master of the art. Thse are kata (forms), kumitachi (paired fencing practice) and tameshigiri (test cutting). Dan rank, master certification and the traditional licenses (menkyo and menkyo kaiden) are only awarded to practitioners of the art who have mastered all three areas of study. They found a true understanding of the art in the manner of training undertaken by the samurai.
As a result of these strict demands, there are currently six federations around the world practicing Mugai Ryu Meishiha, including our North American Federation, European Federation, as well as federations in Russia, Brazil and other countries in South America. Other Mugai Ryu organizations and branches not listed in this side simply claim to be the true lineage of the art without training in all three of these areas.