Muso Shinden Ryu
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Restricted to Honorable Alignments. Minimum P.S. of 10, P.P. of 12, P.E. of 10, and Spd of 11.
Skill Cost: 14 years (10 years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Muso Shinden Ryu is a Japanese Kenjutsu style concentrating on Iaido and Battodo techniques. The origins of this style can be traced back to Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu (1546-1621), a somewhat mythological figure who is believed to have engaged in intense swordsmanship study for many years, as well as at least one Musha-Shugyo. It is said he developed the original Battodo techniques (though many other, older schools had similar iaijutsu techniques already established) after receiving enlightenment from praying Hayashi Myojin at Hayashizaki shrine in Okura village (in modern Yamagata prefecture). His style came to be known by various different names; Junpaku Den, Hayashizaki Ryu, Shin Muso Hayashizaki Ryu, Shimmei Muso Ryu, Shigenobu Ryu, etc. During the Meiji era, Nakayama Hakudo (Hiromichi, 1869-1958), an already excellent swordsman who had studied numerous shools, including Omori Ryu, Muraku Ryu, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, Shindo Munen Ryu and Yamaguchi Itto Ryu, reorganized the style he inherited and formulated the principles and techniques of Muso Shinden Ryu. Aside from Hayashizaki Ryu, his primary techniques were from Omori ryu and Eishin ryu.

Muso Shinden Ryu concentrates on a variety of daito (long sword) combat techniques, especially iaijutsu and battojutsu techniques. Many seated as well as standing kata are also taught. Advanced practice includes duels with bokken and tameshigiri (test-cutting). It is believed that Hayashizaki himself stressed the spiritual side of training. Nakayama Hakudo also stresses the importance of sword training, no longer as a practical art, but as an method of improving oneself.

Training in Muso Shinden Ryu can be found in Finland, Japan, and the United States.

Costume: Keikogi (quilted, navy-blue jacket) and Hakama.
Stance: Jodan no Kamae: This is a posture in which you face the enemy squarely and suppress him with your spirit. You overpower his mind and control his movement so that he has no opportunity to attack you. The first gap in his mental awareness and physical defense is seized upon. The essence of this posture is to cut down with your whole mind, spirit and body. This posture is not usually advantageous against an enemy of greater skill.
Hidari (Left Hand) Jodan no Kamae: The left foot is advanced about a half step forward with the heel of the right, rear foot touching the floor, feet are parallel to each other with the weight on the balls of both feet. The body is held erect, facing squarely forward with the head held straight and looking into the opponent's eyes. The sword is held high above the head, pointing at the right ear. The left hand is held about four inches from the center of the body. The hands and shoulders are relaxed.
Migi (Right Hand) Jodan no Kamae: The right foot is advanced about a half step forward with the heel of the left, rear foot touching the floor, feet are parallel to each other with the weight on the balls of both feet. The body is held erect, facing squarely forward with the head held straight and looking into the opponent's eyes. The sword is held high above the head, pointing at the left ear. The left hand is held about four inches from the center of the body. The hands and shoulders are relaxed.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +10 to Chi
Add +2 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +2 to Spd.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Breakfall, Combination Parry/Attack, Multiple Dodge, Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Knife Hand, Palm Strike, Punch.
Basic Foot Attacks: Snap Kick, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Backward Thrust (New!), Combination Grab/Slash, Death Strike (New!), Hilt Strike (New!).
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Bokken (Blunt), W.P. Daito (Large Sword).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Automatically receives Battojutsu. Select a total of ONE (1) Martial Art Power from among Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata. Except for Battojutsu, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Bokken (Blunt), W.P. Daito (Large Sword).
Philosophical Training: Zen Buddhism/Bushido.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Itto Ryu (3 Years), Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage Ryu (3 Years), Kasumi Shinto Ryu (2 Years), Kendo (3 Years), Kurama Ryu (5 Years), Muso Jukiden Eishin Ryu (5 Years), Shinmuso Hayashizaki Ryu (5 Years), Suio Ryu (4 Years), Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-Ryu (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.
2nd: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Maintain Balance.
3rd: Gains Iaijutsu Martial Art Technique.
4th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, or Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
5th: +1 to Attack per Melee.
6th: Gains Suwariwaza Martial Art Technique.
7th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, or Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
8th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
9th: Gains Kiaijutsu Martial Art Technique.
10th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Damage.
11th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, or Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee, Death Strike on a Natural 20.
13th: +2 to Strike, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
14th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Maintain Balance.
15th: Select One (1) Zenjorike.
Why Study Muso Shinden Ryu?
A deadly sword art combined with spiritual training. Muso Shinden Ryu's limited teaching of alternate weapons or techniques does hamper this style.

Muso Jukiden Eishin Ryu Kenjutsu Variant:
An early style created by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu. Replace Bokken with Yari (Spear) for both Weapon Kata and Weapon Proficiency.

If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Hozo-In Ryu (3 Years), Muso Shinden Ryu (5 Years), Shinmuso Hayashizaki Ryu (4 Years).

Shinmuso Hayashizaki Ryu Variant:
Another early style created by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu. Replace Bokken with Shoto (Short Sword) for both Weapon Kata and Weapon Proficiency. Replace Kiai Martial Art Technique with Sanpo Giri/"Three Directional Cut"Kata .

If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Asayama Ichiden Ryu (3 Years), Gyokko Ryu (6 Years), Hontai Yoshin Ryu (5 Years), Kaze Arashi Ryu (5 Years), Kogusoku (3 Years), Kukishinden Ryu (8 Years), Muso Shinden Ryu (5 Years), Muso Jukiden Eishin Ryu (5 Years), Sosuishitsu Ryu (4 Years), Takagi Yoshin Ryu (5 Years), Tatsumi Ryu (5 Years).