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Taira Line — Ryūkyū Kobujutsu

Teacher-student lineage chart for the Taira line

The Taira line is the most widely distributed single lineage in Ryukyu kobudo internationally. It traces directly from Yabiku Moden → Taira Shinken → Inoue Motokatsu → Inoue Takakatsu, with the primary heir organization being the 琉球古武術保存振興会 (Ryūkyū Kobujutsu Hozon Shinkōkai).

Nihon Kobudō Kyōkai Listing​

The organization is formally registered with the Nihon Kobudō Kyōkai under the name 琉球古武術 (Ryukyu Kobujutsu). Current representative: 井上 貴勝 (Inoue Takakatsu).

Curriculum​

The Taira / Hozon Shinkōkai curriculum covers eight types of weapons and preserves more than forty kata, as documented in 新編・増補 琉球古武道大鑑 (1997):

Bō kata (18): Shūshi no Kon (Shō/Dai/Koshiki), Sakugawa no Kon (Shō/Chū/Dai), Soeishi no Kon (Shō/Dai), Chatan Yara no Kon, Tsuken Bō, Shirataru no Kon (Shō/Dai), Chōun no Kon, Urasoe no Kon, and others

Sai kata (8): Hamahiga no Sai, Hamagotenyaka no Sai, Hantagwa no Sai, Tsuken Shitahaku no Sai, Chatan Yara no Sai, Tawada no Sai, Kochijo no Sai, Jigen no Sai

Tonfa, Nunchaku, Kama, Tekko, Tinbē-Rochin, Surujin: 1–2 kata each

Technical Character​

The Taira / Hozon Shinkōkai style is characterized by:

  • Preservation focus — forms are maintained as closely as possible to what Taira Shinken transmitted
  • Systematic organization — the eight-weapon / forty-kata structure provides clear curriculum progression
  • Formal licensing — Inoue Motokatsu introduced a formal menkyo (licensing) system modeled on mainland classical arts

Lineage Chart​

Yabiku Moden (屋比久孟伝)
    └── Taira Shinken (平信賢, 1897–1970)
            └── Inoue Motokatsu (井上元勝)  ← menkyo kaiden (first holder)
                    └── Inoue Takakatsu (井上貴勝)  ← current head