Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu

Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū is a koryū bujutsu, a martial art that has kept its ancient mode of training and has been preserved and handed down from generation to generation. Learn More...

The School

All for one, one for all ... all for training. Learn More...

The Weapons

Katori Shinto Ryu students study the sword (ken), short sword (kodachi), two sword (ryoto), staff (bo), halberd (naginata), and spear (yari).

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The Kata

The Katori Shinto Ryu curriculum includes Kenjutsu (art of the sword), Iaijutsu (art of sword drawing), Bojutsu (art of the staff), Naginatajutsu (art of the Naginata), and Sojutsu (art of the Spear). Learn More...

The Dojo

Capital Katori trains in a newly renovated dojo in Silver Spring, Maryland, just north of Washington DC.

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The Training

Katori Shinto Ryu is transmitted directly from student to teacher, through intense practice of partner kata.

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The Teachers

Sensei means teacher ... it can also mean fun.

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Capital Katori engages in the study of Katori Shinto Ryu as taught by Tetsutaka Sugawara Sensei.

Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū (天真正伝香取神道流) is one of the oldest Japanese martial arts, and is revered as a koryū bujutsu. The art has been continuously passed from teacher to student since its founding in 1447 by Iizasa Chōisai Ienao (飯篠長威斉家直). Students of Katori Shinto Ryu study

a comprehensive system of martial arts that includes Japanese swordsmanship (Kenjutsu, 剣術) and sword drawing techniques (Iaijutsu, 居合術), as well as the use of two swords (Ryōtōjutsu, 両刀術), the staff (Bōjutsu, 棒術), the naginata (Naginatajutsu, 長刀術), and the spear (Sōjutsu, 槍術). Students learn the principles and techniques of Katori through hours of kata training with teachers and other students.

Capital Katori consists of students of Tetsutaka Sugawara Sensei, founder of Sugawara Sogo Budo. The school practices year round at Capital Aikikai’s elegant Aikido dojo in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Capital Katori is open to individuals who welcome the chance to learn Katori Shinto Ryu as well as visitors who are interested in Japanese martial arts and budo.

Capital Katori News

Museum Secrets episode on kenjutsu features Sugawara Sensei

April 30, 2013

During Sensei’s 2012 visit to Washington, the History Channel’s “Museum Secrets” crew did a segment on kenjutsu as background for their episode on the Mitsubishi [...]

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Seminar with Mark Jones Sensei, May 3-5

March 25, 2013

Download PDF: Jones Sensei Seminar 2013 Mark Jones is the senior most student of Katori Shinto Ryu in the United States under Sugawara Sensei. Mark was [...]

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Where to Buy Supplies in the DC-Maryland Area

September 30, 2012

While the internet offers convenient shopping and an near unlimited variety of martial arts supplies, there are times when a martial artist wants to visit [...]

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New Sugawara Budo Katori Group Forms in Hungary

September 30, 2012

A new Sugawara Sogo Budo group formed in Hungary in September of 2012, with about 30 persons signed up to study Katori under Sugawara Sensei.

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