Iizasa Ienao Explained

^[1] was the founder of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū which is a traditional (koryū) Japanese martial art. His Buddhist posthumous name is Taiganin-den-Taira-no-Ason-Iga-no-Kami-Raiodo-Hon-Daikoji.^[2]

He was reputed to be a respected spearman and swordsman who served the Chiba family in what is today Chiba Prefecture. When his hometown was destroyed, he began wandering the land until he settled down near the Katori Shrine and founded the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū in c.1447.

References

• De Lange, William (2006). Famous Japanese Swordsmen: The Warring States Period, Floating World Editions.
• Otake, Risuke (1977). The Deity and the Sword - Katori Shinto-ryu, Vol 1, Japan, Japan Publications Trading Co. (Original Japanese title for all three volumes in this series is Mukei Bunkazai Katori Shinto-ryu)
• Hall, David Avalon. Marishiten: Buddhism and the warrior Goddess, Ph.D. dissertation, Ann Arbor: University microfilms, p. 274-292 are about TSKSR
• Skoss, Diane (editor) (1999). Sword & Spirit, Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan, vol 2., p. 67-69
• Watatani, Kiyoshi (1967). Zusetsu Kobudōshi, Tokyo

Notes

1. The TSKSR itself gives 1387 as the birth year of its founder. See Deity and the Sword, Vol 1 p. 16-17. Watatani (1967) speculates 1417-1420 is more historically correct.
2. Deity and the Sword, Vol 1 p. 16-17.