Shinmei-ryū

Shinmei-ryū (神 (しん) 鳴 (めい) 流 (りゅう) , Shinmei-ryū^?, lit. "Gods' Cry School") is a legendary organization of swordswomen, which resides in the mountains of Kyoto. The organization practices a style of Japanese kenjutsu that goes by the same name. Practitioners are characterized as traditional Japanese swordswomen in red and white hakuma, wielding energy attacks and swords made out of white wood.

There exists another style branched from the Shinmei-ryū dubbed that was Tōgen Shinmei-ryū (桃 (とう) 源 (げん) 神 (しん) 鳴 (めい) 流 (りゅう) , Tōgen Shinmei-ryū^?, lit. "Paradise Gods' Cry School").

History[]

Originally created as a combat troop with unparalleled power to protect Kyoto and avenge misused magic, the Shinmei-ryū troop were also made guardians of the Japanese talisman users; assisting the onmyou wizards as bodyguards during magic wars.

In modern times the Shinmei-ryū are often acting as expert demon slayers and exorcists, the swordswomen of Shinmei-ryū are adept at using their ki energy in combat and also act as aides or hired mercenaries to the Kansai Magic Association with whom they have long-standing ties. In the past, the partnership of the Shinmei-ryū's swordsmanship and Kansai's traditional magic was a formidable combination.

While the school and Shinmei-ryu Dojo were originally owned and run by the Aoyama family, the school was eventually declared a national landmark and became the formal property of the government of Japan.

Weaponry[]

The Shinmei-ryū school weapons-of-choice are primarily based around the katana, kodachi and nodachi. However, practitioners are expected to be adept in unarmed combat and other general weapons aside from their sword.

Along with formidable physical combat skills, Shinmei-ryū warriors also possess knowledge of eastern magic; possessing the ability to learn onmyōdō magic (traditional Japanese yin-yang magic) and use shikigami (special constructs of limited intelligence made of paper and controlled by magic).

As their primary skills are based on their ki, Shinmei-ryū practitioners may be skilled with whatever weaponry they have on hand, be they swords, knives, deck brushes or chopsticks. Highly skilled practitioners can channel their attacks without the use of a weapon, simply using their bare hands.

Another noteworthy trait is that, when a practitioner reaches a certain point in their abilities, Shinmei-ryū users take on the resemblance of demons, particularly seen in the eyes, during combat.

Known Users/Practitioners[]

List of Attacks[]

The Shinmei-ryū style uses ki to increase the strength of attacks and produce different effects. They are generally elemental attacks (lightning, wind, and earth are common elements) or normal empowered physical feats.

Technique classifications:

Hiken (秘 (ひ) 剣 (けん) , Hiken^?, lit. "Hidden Sword Technique")
Ougi (奥 (おう) 義 (ぎ) , Ōgi^?, lit. "Secret Technique")
Kessen Ougi (決戦 (けっせん) 奥 (おう) 義 (ぎ) , Kessen Ōgi^?, lit. "Hidden Technique")

Ken 剣 - Sword Techniques[]

Name	Description	User(s)
Zanganken (斬岩剣, "Stone Cutting Sword")	An Ougi, infuses ki into the sword to cut a boulder in half.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka
Zanmaken Ni-no-Tachi (斬魔剣弐之太刀, "Evil-Cutting Sword, Second Strike")	Ougi, cuts a demonic spirit behind a person without injuring the person.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka
Shin Raikōken (真・雷光剣, "True Thunderlight Sword ")	Kessen Ougi, infuses lightning energy into the sword and causes an explosion that destroys an area.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka
Senraiken (千雷剣, "Thousand Lightning Sword ")	Garyuu Shin Ougi.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka

Sen 閃 - Flash Techniques[]

Name	Description	User(s)
Zankūsen (斬空閃, "Air Cleaving Flash")	A Hiken, where one releases ki in a circular fashion to cut the enemy.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka
Hōka Issen (鳳花一閃, "Phoenix Flower Flash")	A Hiken.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka
Zantetsusen (斬鉄閃, "Steel Cutting Flash")	A Hiken	Kuroumaru Tokisaka

Shou 掌 - Palm Techniques[]

Name	Description	User(s)
Zanmashō Ni-no-Tachi (斬魔掌・弐の太刀, "Evil-Cutting Palm, Second Strike")	Breaks clothes without injuring the body.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka

Other Techniques[]

Name	Description	User(s)
Kenfūka Bakuen Heki (剣風華爆焔壁, "Radiant Sword Wind, Inferno Wall")	An Ougi.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka
Nobori Ginryū Senringiku Kouro (昇銀竜千輪菊光露, "Rising Silver Dragon Thousand Chrysanthemums Glowing Dew")	A Banquet Art.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka
Chiretsu Shiki-barai (地裂四鬼祓い, "Earth-Splitting Four Oni Exorcism")	An Ougi.	Kuroumaru Tokisaka