Matsuura Seizan

Who was Matsuura Seizan?

Matsuura Seizan, born Matsuura Kiyoshi a famed swordsman during the Edo period of Japan. Seizan was a practitioner of Iba Hideaki's Shingyōtō-ryū school of swordsmanship, in which Seizan was considered as an adept. Seizan adopted the name Joseishi after receiving the final transmission of the Shingyōtō ryu school.

Seizan wrote many essays on the art of the sword, such as the Joseishi Kendan, Kenko and the Kasshiyawa. Seizan's works are considered as important documents in the history of Japanese swordsmanship. In Josieshi Kendan he mentions Miyamoto Musashi's Enmei ryu, but denies personal knowledge of the style.

Seizan was born in Edo, at the Hirado-han residence, as the oldest son of the lord of Hirado. When his father died, he took over as head of the clan and became Lord of Hirado at the age of sixteen.. He applied himself seriously to his official duties, encouraging farming and fishing in his domain and making financial reforms. He also realized the importance of education and founded the Ishinkan, a school promoting both academic and martial studies.