Frequently asked questions....

 

 


What is the Jinenkan?

  


The Jinenkan is an organisation set up in 1996 By Manaka Sensei for the purposes of passing his knowledge of Japanese martial arts.

Who is Manaka Sensei?
  

Fumio Manaka was born on December 14th 1945. He was a child who was plagued by ill health throughout his early years and because of this, he took up swimming and Judo in an effort to build up his strength and improve his health.

At the age of 14 he won first place in the 1959 Nothern Chiba Prefecture Judo Championships and was introduced to Dr Masaaki Hatsumi who today is known throughout the World as an authority on Japanese martial arts and later as a consequence became a student.

Manaka Sensei’s early training was very tough and he recalls that for the first three years he was only taught punching, kicking and Ukemi (methods of receiving techniques) and was used as a guinea pig for the other students to try their techniques on. As time went on and the others drifted away from the training, Manaka Sensei became the most senior student.

Manaka Sensei joined the military, graduating from the Japan Defence Academy in March 1968. His career in the Self-Defence Forces spanned the next thirty-three years until he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2001. Because the military life meant that Manaka Sensei had to spend periods of time away from the guidance of his teacher, he would compensate for this through working to perfect the things he’d learnt when he went home by training alone.

Manaka continued his studies of the martial arts under his teacher for 37 years, attaining Menkyo Kaiden (certificate of full mastery) in Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu and Gyokko Ryu Kosshi Jutsu as well as receiving teaching licenses in the arts of Koto Ryu Koppo Jutsu, Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken, Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu and Shinden Fudo Ryu Daken Taijutsu and Jutaijutsu.

In October 1996, he established his own organisation, the Jinenkan and took the Martial Name “Unsui” which literally means “clouds and water” and is a Buddhist term used to refer to an itinerant monk who is an independent seeker of enlightenment.

Clouds and water symbolize Unsui Sensei’s thinking about martial arts: that one should learn to move as the water flows or as clouds fly: sometimes gently and slowly, sometimes quickly and powerfully.

Since retiring from the military, Manaka Sensei has devoted himself to teaching the martial arts of old Japan in his characteristic way, which is openly, honestly and thoroughly.


How does the Jinenkan differ from other organisations?

The best answer to this would be to attend a class with a qualified instructor or to try and attend a seminar with Manaka sensei then you can make your own judgement.

What is taught in the Jinenkan?

The umbrella name for the arts studied in the Jinenkan is Jissen Kobudo. This term can be translated as “Real fighting techniques of the Classical Martial Ways”.

In the Jinenkan, Manaka Sensei stresses the importance of good fundamental techniques because the basics are not just a stepping-stone to more advanced techniques but something, which the student is expected to keep improving on year after year. Manaka Sensei also teaches in a way which is true to the Densho (written techniques of a school) because it is only by learning the techniques as they are written and in the order they are written that one can be sure of gaining the tools which he or she needs to master the techniques.

The Ryu-ha (schools) that are taught in the Jinenkan are as follows

  • Jinen Ryu Jissen Kobudo
  • Koto Ryu Koppojutsu
  • Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu
  • Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu / Jutaijutsu
  • Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu
  • Togakure Ryu Ninpo
  • Kukishin Ryu Daken Taijutsu
  • Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken

How is the Ranking system organised?


The gradings consist of three set Kyu ranks (3rd , 2nd and 1st) which are determined by Manaka Sensei. Then there are the Dan ranks Shodan, Nidan, etc. again the requirements for these are set by Manaka Sensei and can be seen at the Honbu website.

However, each Dojo Cho (person of Sandan and above who is approved to run an official Jinenkan group) may set his own grades below 3rd Kyu (i.e. 4th Kyu, 5th Kyu etc.)

The uniform and belts worn for each grade are shown below.
Kyu Grade uniform
Navy Kendo Gi

Black Training trousers
3rd Kyu
2nd Kyu
1st Kyu
Dan Grades
Navy Kendo Gi

Navy Hakama

 

Dojo-Cho
white edosashi-gi

Navy Hakama

How Do I Join the Jinenkan?

You can Join the Jinenkan either through your local instructor (check here for an instructor in your area) or directly with Honbu Dojo.

Where can I train?
  

Check our our links section to see if there is an instructor in your area. Althernatively check out our seminar page to see if there are any up and coming seminars you can attend in the UK. International seminars will be advertised on the Honbu site and on our news page.

What do the patches mean?


This patch is worn on the back of the Gi , in the centre below the neck. The symbol is made up from 3 parts ,each with its own three parts. There is the cloud with its three layers ('Un') , the water with the three streams, and the Kanji that make up the name Jinenkan (3 characters) this makes a total of nine. The number 9 has mystical meaning in Japanese culture
The clouds and water represent Manaka Sensei's martial arts name of Unsui which literally means “clouds and water” and is a Buddhist term used to refer to an itinerant monk who is an independent seeker of enlightenment.

Clouds and water symbolize Unsui Sensei’s thinking about martial arts: that one should learn to move as the water flows or as clouds fly: sometimes gently and slowly, sometimes quickly and powerfully.

The double leaf patch is worn over each breast. The leaf symbolises nature and also has a simularity to the Kanji for 'Ji' in Jinenkan.