Tsutsumi Hozan

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Tsutsumi Hozan (Tsutsumi Yamashiro no kami Hozan) was a swordsman during the Sengoku period (15th century) of Japan, who founded Hozan ryu (Tsutsumi Hozan Ryu).

Tsutaumi Hozan was the twelfth disciple of the famed monk Jion. Jion had fourteen disciples each in a separate region of Japan to spread his art, Nen ryu, across the contry. Hozan was said to have been an adept at fighting with the jitte, even at a young age. Hozan was also proficient at the art of jujutsu, which was a significant part of his Hozan Ryu. Although his teacher, Jion, died before Hozan had learnt all Nen Ryu's basics (literally the techniques of the past), he is said to have master its teaching (literally the techniques of the future) due to his ability with the jitte, which was simpler to wield then a sword, since it was a single handed weapon.

It is believed that Hozan, or one of his disciples had transmitted the art of the jitte to Hirata Shokan, Miyamoto Musashi's grandfather. It is for this reason why the Miyamoto family's was teaching the art of the jitte for many generations. Musashi himself is said to have learnt Jion's Nen ryu through Hozan's jitte, which would have greatly influenced the single handed method of Musashi's Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu.

[edit] Sources

• Kenji Tokitsu Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings
• Serge Mol Classical Fighting Arts of Japan pp. 151.