Expert: Michael Cummings - 11/1/2009

Question
Mr. Cummings,

I've greatly enjoyed your posts related to Shin Shin Kage Ryu.  Do you actively teach the art?  Are you aware of any instructors other than Mr. Robin Rielly who teach the art or a related art in the United States?

Best regards,

Rob

Answer
Rob~

Thanks for taking the time to read my replies and your interest in Shinkage Ryu.  Sorry for the late reply.  I've had my youngest come down with the flu this weekend.  Bummer.  In answer to your question, I do not actively teach the Shinkage Ryu curriculum.  I never have, really.  When I did teach, I taught at one or another of my friend’s dojo(s).  I cannot say that the teachings of Shinkage Ryu didn’t come through in one form or another, but I never publically called what I taught Shinkage Ryu.  In fact, I’ve never taught anyone any of the six karate kata.  The jujutsu kata/waza are another story, because of the ubiquitous nature of most jujutsu waza, but I’ve never taught the curriculum precisely.  As for the kenjutsu/battojutsu, I’ve demonstrated a few of the Shinkage Ryu kata, but that’s about it.  I have never been granted a full license to teach the Shinkage Ryu curriculum.  In 1998, two years after receiving the Mokuroku license (karate/jujutsu) I was given limited permission to teach to that level, but by that time I wasn’t actively teaching and haven’t had an opportunity to do so since.  I have ‘trained’ in private with a few folks, but I’ve never ‘graded’ anyone in anything Shinkage Ryu.  I have not been granted permission to officially teach kenjutsu or battojutsu (iaijutsu).

My goal is to have a dojo again.  My own this time, with a curriculum based on the teachings of Shinkage Ryu.  But first I have to reaffirm my permission.  We’ll see.  I still may offer instruction, but not rank/license in Shinkage Ryu specifically (but again, I want permission).

As for others teaching anything Shinkage Ryu, I really don’t know.  To the best of my knowledge, no one is actively teaching (my) Shinkage Ryu in the States and in Japan it’s a private family-type school.  There is virtually nothing on the internet, at least not Yagyu-related (swordsmanship).  And I don’t think Robin Reilly actively teaches Shinkage Ryu.  I’ve had some correspondence with Mr. Reilly and although the question never came up in those exact words, my impression is he teaches primarily Shotokan, and will occasionally throw in his Shinkage Ryu (different from mine) from time to time.  I don’t mean to sound so nonchalant, and I mean no disrespect, but thats probably the best way to describe what Mr. Reilly teaches.  IMHO Mr. Reilly is good guy with a lot of martial knowledge and skill.  I’ve also had contact with a fellow former Marine that once studied with a Robert Ferris(?) when stationed at Camp LeJuene, NC.  He taught Shinkage Ryu jujutsu.  This was apparently a few years ago and I could find nothing online.

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.  If you ever have reason to travel to WV look me up.  Perhaps we can meet for tea and discuss Shinkage Ryu in more depth.  Perhaps even squeeze in a good training session or two!

Good luck in your quest!

Mike