Narukami Shintō-ryū

The **Narukami Shinto-ryū** (鳴神神道流, *Sound Divinity Shinto School*?) is the school of swordsmanship taught only by the Narukami family and to its branch families invented by the 13th head of the Narukami clan, Hidehisa Narukami, and refined by his grandson, Hidetsugu Narukami, Hidehisa's succcessor.

## Overview

The Narukami Shinto-ryū can trace its origins to the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū as Hidehisa Narukami, the "inventor" of the style, was the student of Iizasa Ienao, the founder of the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū. Hidehisa's creation is different from its "parent" in the sense that it cannot be taught to non-sorcerers as the style is heavily dependent on one's ability to create cursed energy and properly utilize it. Another reason why the style cannot be used by non-sorcerers is that its main techniques requires one to know how to deploy a Simple Domain. This second reason for why the school is heavily limited in practictioners is attributed to the school's second founder, Hidehisa's grandson, Hidetsugu.

The school is a comprehensive system that teaches a bit of everything but its primary focus is on *kenjutsu* (sword-fighting techniques) and *iaijutsu* (sword-drawing techniques). The bias toward *kenjutsu* is made extremely obvious as seen in the fact that all twelve of the *kata*, or "forms", of the Narukami Shintō-ryū are based in *kenjutsu*. However, there is also a secret technique, a "*zeroth form*", taught only to the main family of the Narukami clan; it is said this technique was developed by the founder of the school himself and he had decreed that the technique be only passed down to his direct descendants.

## Notable Users

### Headmasters

The headmasters of the Narukami Shintō-ryū are also simultaneously the family head as the first headmaster decreed that only the master of the blade is fit to lead the Narukami family and that philosophy had stuck throughout the years. The following is a list of all headmasters.

* Hidehisa Narukami - 1st headmaster (1412-1461)
* Hidetsugu Narukami - 2nd headmaster (1462-1498)
* Tomoe Narukami - 3rd headmaster (1499-1538)
* Kagemori Narukami - 4th headmaster (1539-1573)
* Katsuhisa Narukami - 5th headmaster (1574-1611)
* Riyoko Narukami - 6th headmaster (1612-1655)
* Kanehira Narukami - 7th headmaster (1656-1701)
* Ienaga Narukami - 8th headmaster (1702-1713)
* Hosomi Narukami - 9th headmaster (1714-1752)
* Mutsume Narukami - 10th headmaster (1753-1797)
* Jin'ichi Narukami - 11th headmaster (1798-1831)
* Katsunaga Narukami - 12th headmaster (1832-1879)
* Kanematsu Narukami - 13th headmaster (1880-1917)
* Kazuhiro Narukami - 14th headmaster (1918-1945)
* Kazuha Narukami - 15th headmaster (1946-1971)
* Hidenobu Narukami - 16th headmaster (1972-present)

### Sonoka Narukami

Sonoka Narukami's skill with the sword was lauded to be a talent seen only once a millennium and she, at the age of just nine years old, was designated the heiress to the 28th family head, Hidenobu Narukami, who is also the 16th headmaster of the Narukami Shintō-ryū. Her father, Junpei Narukami, was also exceedingly skilled in the sword but he was passed over as a choice for heir at the declaration of his own father, Hidenobu.

## Techniques

The Narukami Shintō-ryū has twelve different *kata*, or *Forms*, that all practitioners of the school must learn in order to be considered a high-level swordsman of the school. However, the school is also taught to non-sorcerers and as such, they cannot learn the twelve forms because each of the twelve forms requires some level of aptitude in the deployment of a Simple Domain. Listed below are the techniques in order; each technique is named "**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain [Number] Form: [Technique Name]**” (鳴神神道流・簡易領域[number]の型・[technique kanji], *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki [number] no Kata: [technique romaji]*?).

### Zeroth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Zeroth Form: Folded Wing** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域零の型・折り羽, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Rei no Kata: Oriha*?) is the secret Zeroth Form of the Narukami Shintō-ryū and is only taught to the main Narukami lineage with the only other users being said Narukami clan members directly teaching the technique to their retainers. At a surface level, this technique is similar to **Shinkage-ryū Simple Domain: Sword-Drawing** in the sense that the blade is coated in cursed energy while still in the sheath, however, this technique is far more advanced. It is a high-level sword-drawing technique that through both the use of Simple Domain and fine cursed energy manipulation fools an opponent into thinking one had drawn their sword when they never did. This leaves behind an opening (no matter how slight) in the opponent that can now be exploited in any way.

### First Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain First Form: Conjoined Cranes** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域一の型・連鶴, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Ichi no Kata: Renzuru*?) is the first technique learned. It is a very basic technique in the sense that upon deploying their Simple Domain, this technique is "formless" in which the basic principle is to use quick, precise, and continuous sword slashes that amorphously link into one other in order to box in an opponent quite similarly to the process of folding a paper crane, hence the technique's name.

### Second Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Second Form: Blue Ocean Wave** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域二の型・青海波, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Ni no Kata: Seigaiha*?) is the second technique learned. Described as the most graceful of the twelve forms, Blue Ocean Wave is a technique that uses correct breathing form to generate momentum before unleashing a single concentrated slash, reminiscent of a wave. The slash itself is packed full of cursed energy and is varyingly powerful depending on exactly how much cursed energy was put into the strike at the moment of slashing.

### Third Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Third Form: Spirit Wheel** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域三の型・精霊車, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki San no Kata: Seireiguruma*?) is the third technique learned. Described as the technique that needs the most agility, Spirit Wheel is considered the most elegant of the twelve forms. The technique is initiated by balletically building up momentum with subtle movements and breathing form before jumping diagonally to spin like a top then slashing at the opponent’s unprotected back. The key to unleashing this form is the extreme lightness of one's feet, reminiscent of a circus performer, as such, this technique demands elegance.

### Fourth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Fourth Form: Eight-Span Crow** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域四の型・八咫烏, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Shi no Kata: Yatagarasu*?) is the fourth technique learned. The only purely defensive technique in the Narukami Shintō-ryū, this technique is most effective when used in a mastered Simple Domain. The technique begins when one taking a deep controlled breath, allowing them to relax and concentrate before deploying their Simple Domain, a sphere of influence around their person where they have absolute control. If anything foreign enters this absolute territory, one will strike with a cursed energy-enhanced slash to remove it, creating a perfect defense.

### Fifth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Fifth Form: Break Raindrop** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域五の型・劈雨粒, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Go no Kata: Heki Amatsubu*?) is the fifth technique learned. Considered the swiftest and most accurate form of the twelve forms, Break Raindrop is a cursed energy-enhanced guided thrust where one first pulls back and rotates their waist before putting their left hand close to the back of their sword and thrusting forward. The supportive left hand is there to prevent the blade from being shaken from its trajectory and the strike is delivered at unbelievable speeds, making it extremely hard to defend against.

### Sixth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Sixth Form: Maiden Fireworks** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域八の型・早乙女花火, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Roku no Kata: Saotome Hanabi*?) is the sixth technique learned.

### Seventh Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Sixth Form: Waterfall Basin** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域七の型・滝壷, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Shichi no Kata: Takitsubo*?) is the seventh technique learned. This form can be considered the sister form to **Second Form: Blue Ocean Wave**. It is a technique that applies the same principles used in the Second Form to a vertical slash instead of a horizontal slash. As such, the associated "image" of the form is changed from an ocean wave to water tumbling off of a cliff and into the basin below.

### Eighth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Eighth Form: Morning Glory Nebula** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域八の型・蕣星雲, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Hachi no Kata: Asagao Seiun*?) is the eighth technique learned. The Eighth Form is a nonstandard technique in the sense that it isn't a technique that uses the sword arts. Upon deploying a Simple Domain, one streams cursed energy into their sword and uses their blade as a base to create multiple swords aside from the one held in hand. By flowing cursed energy into their sword, one can mentally create an "*image*" of the sword and reproduce it as freestanding copies which one can then direct with their mind. The number of produced swords depends on the amount of cursed energy one has with the rumored upper limit being a total of 666 freestanding swords.

### Ninth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Ninth Form: Hellmoon** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域九の型・修羅月, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Ku no Kata: Shurazuki*?) is the ninth technique learned and is the first of the ultimate techniques of the Narukami Shintō-ryū (it is also considered to be a secret to the main family although an open one in the sense that far too many users teach someone else how to use the form; this applies to the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Form as well). Described as the most forceful of the twelve forms, Hellmoon is indeed an exceedingly forward technique. It is a form that focuses and capitalizes on an uninterrupted forward movement, ending with a half-moon arc slash. If there are obstacles in the way of when one unleashes this form, the discharged cursed energy acts as a "sword" and slashes through the obstacle, clearing the path forward to complete the technique.

### Tenth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Tenth Form: Heaven's Judgement Axiom** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域十の型・真天裁決, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Jū no Kata: Shinten Saiketsu*?) is the tenth technique learned and is the second of the ultimate techniques of the Narukami Shintō-ryū. This form requires one to have complete mastery over their Simple Domain in order to most effectively use. One first coats their blade with cursed energy and makes any number of slashes in the air. These slashes remain in the air as a "cursed technique" and turn invisible; they cannot be sensed. When one's opponent walks into one of these invisible slashes, the slash is "*activated*" and dissects the opponent. (These wounds aren't necessarily deep as it only takes a brush with the slash to activate it; unless the opponent walks directly into a slash where the slash would activate inside of their body [as an example], they would not suffer major wounds.)

### Eleventh Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Eleventh Form: Dance of the Water Lotus** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域十一の型・水蓮華の舞, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Jūichi no Kata: Suirenge no Mai*?) is the eleventh technique learned and is the third of the ultimate techniques of the Narukami Shintō-ryū. The Eleventh Form is a technique considered to be the "*most mobile*" of the twelve *kata* as one must "*dance*" across the battlefield as it says in its name. One first deploys their Simple Domain and directs some of their cursed energy to their feet to make one's movements faster before one runs into the fray and dances across the field. When using this *kata*, one becomes virtually untouchable through normal means as both the cursed energy sent to their feet and the deployed Simple Domain makes them extremely fleet-footed and their speed is entirely unmatched.

### Twelfth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Twelfth Form: Dance of the Mist Blaze Dragon** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域十二の型・霞炎竜の舞, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Jūni no Kata: Kasumi Enryū no Mai*?) is the final technique learned and is also the fourth of the ultimate techniques of the Narukami Shintō-ryū. The Twelfth Form is a technique that takes one's fine control of cursed energy and their Simple Domain to the absolute limit. Working on the same principles as **Ninth Form: Hellmoon**, this technique unleashes a flurry of slashes, usually 12, in rapid succession where each strike carries the force of the Ninth Form. Said strikes are also performed at such speeds that they all strike the opponent at the same time, making it quite an impossible feat to properly defend against. The twelve successive slashes trace the shape of a dodecagram.

### Thirteenth Form

**Narukami Shintō-ryū: Simple Domain Thirteenth Form: Last Day of the Month** (鳴神神道流・簡易領域十二型・晦, *Narukami Shintō-ryū: Kan’i Ryōiki Jūni no Kata: Tsugomori*?) is a technique invented by Sonoka Narukami and added to the secret forms of the Narukami Shintō-ryū. Due to Sonoka's blindness, all of her other senses are superhumanly enhanced and she can easily predict her opponent/opponents by listening to the sounds their bodies let out (including breathing patterns, their heartbeats, the creaking of their bones, and the movements of their muscles). Within Sonoka's world of permanent blackness, she simply reads her opponent/opponents and strikes only where her sword is needed. This technique does not require speed and is described by Azusa Sakuraba to be an experience similar to floating down a dark river; Sonoka's sword simply goes to where it is needed to surely and effectively cut down an opponent.

## Trivia

* The secret forms of the Narukami Shintō-ryū have remained unchanged for three centuries with the last change being the Twelfth Form, invented by Katsuhisa Narukami, the 5th swordmaster.
	+ The next adjustment to the style is with the invention of of a Thirteenth Form by Sonoka Narukami.