Asayama Ichiden Ryu is an ancient Japanese Budo martial art style with 400 years of history. It strongly reflects the art of Kenjutsu when samurai fought in armor.
Asayama Ichiden Ryu is a comprehensive martial art with Kenjutsu, Iai (katana drawing), sickle, staff, and many other weapons. It teaches so many weapons, that there are more than 200 kata (fixed exercises) that the students must study. There are also many other techniques that have been passed down orally, and even the sensei doesn't know how many there are in total because there are just too many. Asayama Ichiden Ryu is considered one of the few Kobudo: ancient budo martial arts that exist today because it was born before the Edo period when samurai still existed. Budo ryuha, born after the end of the Edo period (1603~1868), or in other words after Japan’s Westernization, is considered Gendai-budo: modern budo
martial arts.
About Seki Sensei
Seki Sensei started training Kendo when he was 3, Iaido when he was 9, and Jōdō when he was 23. Both his parents were martial artists, and the main dojo he owns now was originally where his father taught Budo. He has won three national championships in Iaido and two in Jōdō. He entered Asayama Ichidenryu when he was 23 years old. The 21st Soke of Asayama Ichidenryu was a friend of Seki Sensei's Jōdō sensei, and Seki Sensei met the Ryuha through a Kenjutsu seminar held at this Jōdō dojo. After more than 20 years of rigorous training, he was chosen as the 22nd headmaster.
NYBA members began training under Seki Sensei online in 2023. In 2025 a group of us attended the annual summer camp in Japan.
ASAYAMA ICHIDEN RYU LINAGE
The ancestor is Asayama Ichidensai Shigeaki.It is said to be a person of Usui, Joshu. Currently, various techniques such as sword, Iai, sickle, stick, and body art are handed down. In addition, Takeishi Kenso is also a successor of Muhiryu, and Muhiryu-iaijyutsu is also handed down in the mainstream and incorporated into the practice system. The Asayama Ichidenkai was organized by the 21st generation Osaki Kiyoshi, and has endeavored to preserve and pass down the style, leading to the 22nd generation Seki Nobuhide.