David Barber

David Barber is a direct-disciple of Saito Satoshi (1922-2014) and a 5th generation Shihan of Negishi Ryu Shuriken-jutsu. David served as instructor and assistant to Sōke - Saito Satoshi for many years. He is one of only three people to have received a teaching license from Saito Satoshi-sensei. In 2010, David branched out and established his own dojo in the ancient city of Kamakura. In addition to running his own branch & dojo, he is the appointed Head of Negishi Ryu International.

 

Born in Sydney, Australia, David commenced rigorous training in Chinese martial arts from the age of 14. In 1990, he began making regular trips to Hong Kong & Mainland China to further is knowledge. In 1992, he moved to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and was admitted to Jinan University. In 1995, he relocated to Japan to pursue studies in Aiki-jujutsu. He purchased land in the ancient city of Kamakura and made the decision to call Japan home. Tracing Kamakura's history, he across the school of Yagyu Shingan Ryu Taijutsu, a samurai koryu tradition that had migrated to Kamakura city during the Meiji restoration period. Alongside the Shingan (mind's eye) Ryu, he also received training in Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, the official sword style of the Tokugawa Shogun.

 

David has 40 years experience in traditional martial arts. Three decades living permanently in Japan. 25 years of dedicated koryu study via constant, direct-transmission. He is currently the highest ranked non-Japanese practitioner of the aforementioned koryu arts, specializing in the martial traditions of the Yagyu clan and the teachings of Naruse Kanji & Fujita Seiko, as handed down by Saito Satoshi. He is a longtime member of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai & Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai. Appointed Head of Negishi Ryu International. Founder of the Kobudo Renbukan Dojo.

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Shihan Lineage: 

①Negishi Shorei > ②Tonegawa Magoroku > ③Naruse Kanji >

④Saito Satoshi > ⑤David Barber  (5th Generation Shihan)

※ 現宗家 早坂義文