Aiki Ken
Tsuki no Kage Ryu
“The School of the Moon’s Shadow”
We don’t follow a single tradition—we seek to deconstruct Japanese swordwork and uncover what truly works, and what does not. Tsuki no Kage Ryū is a peaceful school. We never strike first. To attack is to expose oneself to defeat.
Tsuki no Kage is the swordwork tradition of Hakari no Ken Aikido. Rooted in the movements and philosophy of Aikido, this system blends elements of classical kenjutsu with the fluid, non-resisting principles of aiki.
We use the sword for a reason:
• It is accessible—no mats, no falling.
• It is beautiful—discipline, flow, and stillness in motion.
• It is a gateway—helping students understand distance, timing, and intention before they ever enter a dojo.
Influences
While Tsuki no Kage Ryū is an original system we don’t have any true lineage except what our sensei taught us, it pays tribute to the swordwork of:
• Morihei Ueshiba (O’Sensei), the founder of Aikido
• Morihiro Saito, whose precise aiki-ken forms remain foundational
• Shigenobu Nishio, whose innovative blend of Aikido and classical kenjutsu opened new creative paths
Students are taught respectfully and with clarity that we are not representatives of these masters, but inheritors of a spirit that seeks to integrate martial form with harmony.
Structure & Progression
• Classes are taught outdoors or in community spaces.
• No experience is necessary—students learn at their own pace.
• Practice includes solo *suburi* (strikes), and *kumitachi* (paired forms).
• Hand techniques are introduced progressively, up to the point of falling.
For those who seek to go deeper into traditional lineage arts, we have established a relationship with the only Itto Ryū school in America and encourage further exploration.
Philosophy
Swordwork in Tsuki no Kage is not about domination or violence—it is about clarity. The blade reveals who we are. Every movement becomes a meditation, every cut a reflection of our awareness.
This is not just swordplay.
This is aiki in form.
This is the shadow of the moon falling across still water.
