Toyama-Ryu:  the style designed for the Japanese Imperial Army

The Toyama Military Academy was founded in the 6th year of the Meiji period. Japanese heitai (military cadets) were educated extensively in the art of fighting and strategy then drafted to protect and serve their warlords. Toyama became a very respected and distinguished military academy where many of Japan's military elite graduated.  This Japanese version of West Point included many fighting styles of old and new in the basic and advanced military education, including Battodo, Iaido and tameshigiri.

The Japanese Imperial Army gained fighting experience in the Sino-Japanese war and through the military annexation of China.   The Japanese military once again as it did centuries before employed the sword in combat providing practical and useful fighting strategy and technique.  Many of these techniques were given to Toyama, which designed an easy, fast and straightforward way for the military to instruct "the way of the sword" increasing the soldier's fighting ability.

In the 1st year of Showa, the Toyama-Ryu was created and changed the way Iaido was taught in the military.  Up until then, most all Iaido styles were practiced from kneeling or ground positions called seiza toho. The Toyama-Ryu, designed for battle, was now practiced in a standing position in rugged terrain and in the harshest surroundings conditioning the soldier to fight anywhere and everywhere.