Toshishiro Obata (小 幡 利 城) was born in 1948 in Gunma prefecture, Japan, and is the founder of the International Shinkendo Federation.
He studied under Shioda Gozo in the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo, and studied the sword arts of Nakamura Ryu, Ioriken Battojutsu, Toyama Ryu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, Kashima Shin ryu, Ryukyu Kobudo, and others. He is well-known in Japan as a tameshigiri champion for several years in a row and is an authorized shitoka (sword tester).
He moved to America in 1980 to start teaching and to develop his own sword art, based on his extensive experience. In 1991, the International Shinkendo Federation was officially established. The federation has grown to about 60 dojo internationally, and continues to expand. Toshishiro Obata, as the founder of the school, is referred to as Obata Kaiso by his students, and continues to travel across the globe to hold seminars for his students around the world.
