The Soke of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu, Shinoda Ohhou Masatune mastered Hokushin Itto Ryu and later received Menjou Kaiden from Shinto Ryu. After the Soke passed away in 1975, the Group of Kaichou organized the Hokushin Shinoh ryu Shinoh Kai, a combined organization consisting of the schools of Iaido, Kenbu, Shibu and Shigin for group functions, social gatherings etc.

This Hokushin Shinoh Ryu combined organization Shinoh Kai is run by an elected director general – Takagi Zanpow (who does Kenbu and Shigin only).

Kenbu: Sword dancing, Shibu: Poetry dancing, Shigin: poetry chanting, Iaido: Martial Arts

Our current Houshin Shinoh Ryu Soke, Shinoda Koji, is the inherited Soke of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu. He does not do any of the above arts but according to Japanese tradition is Soke and inheritor of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu.

The Grand Master of Iaido, Kimura Hekiho Masakazu, recommended Chong Goho, who was appointed by the Soke and decreed Ohgo-Kai Kaicho in September 1985. Chong was one of 52 directors in the Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Shinoh Kai (social gathering group) of Nagoya. He later resigned from his position of director from Shinoh Kai because of the distance which made him absent from General Meetings and all directors’ meetings and other functions in Japan.

Kaicho is a permanent position and direct from the Soke.

There were 24 Kaicho in our Nagoya Shinoh Kai Honbu and only three Iaido Kaicho’s are in the organization; (Mitaka Ninpou: Ohnin Kai, Chong Goho: Ohgo Kai and Koizumi Kiho: Ohsei Kai).

Ohgo Kai is only Kai outside of the Japan.

In January 2015 our Grand Master Kimura Hekiho Masakazu passed away and according to our tradition, Kimura Toru Tenpow has inherited Grand Mastership of Iaido, accordingly.

Our New Grand Master Kimura Toru Tenpow holds 9th Dan from Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Headquarters and 6th dan Renshi from All Japan Iaido Federation.

All certified branches of Hokushin Shinoh Ryu Ohgo Kai receive ashes of the late Grand Master Kimura Hekiho Masakazu and are; Honbu Dojo Adelaide, Honbu NZ, Honbu Victoria and Honbu ACT.