Linage

The Musashi Ninja Clan, also known as the Order of Musashi Shinobi Samurai, is a Japanese shinobi samurai clan that served the Tokugawa Shogunate as intelligence operatives and diplomats, with a history spanning from 1582 to 1868. 

• Historical Context:

  The clan, rooted in the Shibata family of the Musashi Province, served the Tokugawa Shogunate for 265 years, primarily as intelligence operatives (onomitsu and metsuke) and later as diplomats. 
• Evolution and Legacy:

  After the restoration of the monarchy in 1868, the clan became independent and now operates as an NPO, focusing on introducing ninja and samurai culture and the philosophy of Ninshido. 
• Current Activities:

  The Musashi Ninja Clan Shinobi-Samurai Honjin Dojo offers authentic experiences, including hands-on learning from clan members and interpreters, and focuses on the history and culture of the clan. 
• Ninshido Philosophy:

  The clan’s philosophy, Ninshido, developed by their ancestors under the shogunate, emphasizes the importance of information gathering and serving communities. 
• Modern Interpretation:

  The clan sees itself as a “think & do tank” that adapts to the needs of each era, continuing the tradition of information gathering and community service. 
• Dojo and Experiences:

  The dojo offers hands-on experiences, including learning from masters of the shinobi art, and interpreters who are also clan members. 
• Membership and Focus:

  The NPO focuses on creating a real shinobi organization, emphasizing information gathering and community service, rather than martial arts training. 
• Connection to Miyamoto Musashi:

  While the name “Musashi” is shared with the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, the clan’s history is distinct and focuses on the shinobi samurai tradition. 
• Shibata Family:

  The clan’s lineage is traced back to the Shibata family, who were shogunate officers at the end of the shogunate period. 
• Modern Activities:

  The clan engages in ninja and samurai experience tours for foreigners and ninja and samurai shows at MICE and other events, as a way to inherit Japanese culture under private peace diplomacy and international goodwill activities.

Kiyomi Vanessa Suzak Shibata

Kenryu (Kent) Hayek

Kenryu has the rank of Iemoto (Grand Master)  Shibata-ryu Kojutsu (Jujiken-jutsu) awarded by Kiyomi Shibata o fthe Musashi Ninja Clan of Tokyo, Japan