Lineage
Jikishinkage-ryū is a lineage of Shinkage-ryū passed down by students of Ogasawara Genshinsai after his return from China upon the death of Tokugawa Iyeasu in 1616. He called his updated approach to swordsmanship Shin-no-shinkage Heihō.
At the time of Yamada Ippusai around 1715, the art's history was updated to claim Matsumoto Bizen no Kami Naomatsu as its founder, rather than the founder of Shinkage-ryū, Kamiizumi Ise no Kami. This may be related to Edo period politics, as related arts such as Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, Taisha-ryū and Hikita Shinkage-ryū became well-known.
During the 18th century a strong association to Kashima and the concept of Kashima-shinden was emphasized in writings about Jikishinkage-ryū. During Ogasawara's time, there was not such an emphasis — association of the art with the Shinto figure Takemikazuchi no Kami as an inspiration is likely an Edo period development.
Some information on famous masters of Jikishinkage-ryū can be found below that drawn from multiple Japanese language sources. The views in each entry express my perspective alone: