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9 Ryu
The Bujinkan organization was formed in the early 1970's as the umbrella organization under which Souke
("Grandmaster") Hatsumi Masaaki transmits the teachings of the martial arts ryu-ha ("traditions /
schools") which he in turn received from his teacher. These ryu-ha follow an unbroken lineage back
through hundreds of years of Japanese history. The roots of the ryu-ha themselves are said to be 3,000
years old.
Although Hatsumi Sensei possesses the densho ("scrolls") which designate him as the grandmaster of
many different martial schools, the Bujinkan itself is officially comprised of the following 9 ryu-ha:
HISTORY OF
TOGAKURE
RYU
Soke Hatsumi
sums up the
Togakure Ryu
Ninpo in his
book Hiden
Ninja Submission
by saying:
“ It was founded
by Togakure
Daisuke who was
a vassal of Kiso
Yoshinaka at the
time he lost a
war, and, after
learning various
military arts such
as Kosshijutsu
and Kenjutsu
from his uncle
Kagakure Doshi,
was in hiding in
Iga in the early
12th century. It
was initially
called Togakure
Ryu Happo
Hiken but has
been called by
various names
since that time.
Iga ninja such as Momochi Sandayu and others studied the ryu and passed it to the Natori family of
Kishu and later in the 17th century to the Toda family. Togakure Ryu is known for its use of the
Shuko, Senban Nage, Shuriken, and the 4-foot Shinodake used in Suiren. Togakure Ryu Ninpo
Taijutsu is a branch of Kosshijutsu.”
The main teachings of Togakure Ryu are:
"Violence is to be avoided, and Ninpo is Bujutsu".
"Use the sword to be peaceful, and protect country, family, and nature".
The term ‘kajo waraku’ is used in the Togakure Ryu meaning, "The enjoyment of peaceful harmony
with the same effortless compassion as that of the wildflowers."
The Sanpo Hiden (three secrets) of the Togakure Ryu is as follows:
1. SENBAN SHURIKEN
A four pointed throwing star, the design of which is exclusively unique to the Togakure Ninja.
2. SHUKO (hand needles)
Also known as Tekagi. These are metal bands around the palm of the hand with four metal spikes
projecting from the palm. Another metal band is around the wrist and a piece of leather joins the
two metal bands together. This was a climbing tool, and was also used in defense against sword
attacks.
3. SHINDAKE bamboo grass
This is a short bamboo tube 4 foot long (1.20m) used to aid in breathing when hiding under water. It
was also used as a blowpipe. Sometimes a broken scabbard was put to use as an underwater
breathing apparatus also.
Another Togakure Ryu weapon is Tetsubishi with 9 spiked ends, which are sometimes thrown like
shuriken.
The Togakure Ryu Ninja were required to master the
18 forms of Bujutsu (Martial arts):
1) Taijutsu
2) Kenpo / Ninja ken
3) Bojutsu
4) Shurikenjutsu
5) Kusarigama
6) Yari
7) Naginata
8) Bajutsu
9) Suiren
10) Kayaku-jutsu
11) Bo Ryaku
12) Cho ho
13) Shinobi Iri
14) Inton jutsu
15) Henso jutsu
16) Tenmon
17) Chimon
18) Seishin teki kyoyo
Unarmed combat
Swordsmanship
Staff fighting
Blade throwing
Scythe and chain
Spear
Halberd
Horsemanship
Swimming
Gunpowder
Strategy making
Espionage
Infiltration
Lying low
Disquises
Meteorology
Geography
Spiritual refinement
Kyojitsu Tenkan Ho (philosophy) is not one of the 18 forms of Togakure Ryu Bujutsu but it was an
important part of the Ninpo training.
TOGAKURE RYU NINPO
Gotonpo (5 ways of escaping) was the most secret of all the Ninja arts. In the Togakure Ryu there
are 12 forms (called the Tonko no Jutsu), which have been handed down since the time of the 4th
Soke. The philosophy behind the Gotonpo is based in Gogyo and in the densho these secrets are
only mentioned, not really gone into in any detail.
Gotonpo’s Tonko no Jutsu is divided into the ura (inside) and the omote (outside). After this there is
the Tenton Juppo no Jutsu (10 ways of heavenly escapes) - Sun, Moon, Stars, Clouds, Fog, Thunder,
Lightning, Wind, Rain, and Snow. The list is as follows:
Mukuton no jutsu, Katon no jutsu, Doton no jutsu, Kinton no jutsu, Suiton no jutsu, Jinton no jutsu,
Kinton no jutsu, Nitton no jutsu, Getton no jutsu, Seiton no jutsu, Unton no jutsu, Muton no jutsu
Jeweled Tiger
School
HISTORY OF
GYOKKO RYU
Kosshijutsu
During the
Chinese Tang
Dynasty (618
AD - 907 AD),
Cho Busho and
Yo Gyokko
supposedly left
warring China
and arrived in
Japan, bringing
with them the
foundation upon
which the
Gyokko Ryu
would later be
based. Some say
that the original
techniques from
the school were
created by a
princess in the
Chinese Imperial
Court who used
quick body
movements to
attack specific
targets on the
body. Which
correlates with
the Kosshijutsu
striking
techniques of this
school. History and our research tells us that the oldest martial art schools from India, Tibet, and
China where called tiger striking (kosshijutsu) schools and Gyokko Ryu is the jeweled tiger school.
The Kihon Happo is made from the first two levels of the Gyokko Ryu, Ki Gata, and Torite Kihon
Gata, which are also the basic techniques of the school. Typical for the Gyokko Ryu are the
powerful blocks and balance taking. The school specializes in techniques that involve Kosshijutsu
(attack against muscles) and Shitojutsu (use of thumbs and fingers). Kosshijutsu means "to knock
down the enemy with one finger". Koshi could also mean ‘backbone’, as Kosshijutsu is the
backbone of martial arts. Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu is a distant branch of the Gyokko Ryu
Kosshijutsu.
The Gyokko Ryu uses "Ten Ryaku Uchu Gassho" (heaven and universe prayer), Chi Ryaku Futen
Goshin Gassho (circle of wind prayer), Jin Ryaku Chi Sui Ka Fu Henka Ryaku (circle of earth,
water, fire, wind prayer). Gassho Kuji Kiri is "Kongo' (cloud), Suirin (water ring), Kaku Gassho (fire
and winds). These are also called the ‘Sanpo Gassho’ (three treasures) and they also appear in the
Koto Ryu.
The Gyokko Ryu is broken down into five levels:
1) Ki Gata 5 techniques 2) Torite Kihon Gata 3) Jo Ryaku no Maki 4) Chu Ryaku no Maki 5) Ge
Ryaku no Maki
5 techniques 10 techniques 12 techniques 8 techniques 8 techinques
The katas of the Koppo San Ryaku Hiden are also known as Jo Ryaku no Maki (higher level), Chu
Ryaku no Maki (intermediate level), and Ge Ryaku no Maki (lower level). Each is written as a
separate scroll. Also in the Gyokko Ryu is Kurai Dori (sizing up the situation), Shin Shingan (God's
heart, God's eyes), Tenmon Chimon (heaven, earth tactics).
The Gyokko Ryu has one fundamental rule: destroy the enemy's power, but leave his life. The
Gyokko Ryu states that when a fight is about to start, do not let the opponent win, but take him
down with a technique that is only as strong as is needed to match the situation. They also have
another saying in the Gyokko Ryu, "Bushigokoro wo motte totoshi no nasu" (The warrior's heart is
precious and essential).
The Sanshin no kata is one of the hiden (secret transmissions). Takamatsu taught this only to
Hatsumi Sensei.
The following are nine rules of the Gyokko Ryu:
1) The character ‘nin’ means to guard the nation with one's life 2) Forget the self, be patient, and do
not fear dying 3) When in danger say or show nothing 4) As a strong enemy comes, keep an
indomitable spirit
5) Serve and protect the master as you must your own parents
6) Vices dissipate your proficiency
HISTORY OF
KOTO RYU
It is thought that
the Koto Ryu
came from China
via Korea,
brought by Chan
Busho, a Chinese
warrior. You will
notice that the
first listed Soke’s
of Koto Ryu are
also the Sokes of
Gyokkyo Ryu.
There are many
similarities
between the 2
schools.
Some of the
differences
between Koto
Ryu and Gyokko
ryu are as
follows:
The Koto Ryu is
based on
koppojutsu (bone
attacking blocks)
techniques,
where Gyokko
Ryu is based on
koshijutsu
(muscle/organ attacks). Directionally speaking the Koto Ryu is straighter in and the Gyokko Ryu
revolves more on a circular basis (either in yourself or in your opponent when taking their balance).
The Koto Ryu techniques use short distancing between the two opponents, the Gyokko Ryu uses
greater distance. The Koto Ryu techniques are shorter, quick, and straight to the point; the Gyokko
Ryu has longer more complicated techniques, and the techniques have more movement. The Koto
Ryu concentrates more on striking, and the Gyokko Ryu more on locks and throws. If both schools
are studied completely, the student will know all forms of fighting, including distance, striking,
throws, and locks. Both schools compliment each other and to study only one is to know only half
of one of the two schools.
The name of the school, ‘Tiger Knocking Down’, refers to knocking down the tiger with the tips of
the fingers (the Chuden Kata techniques sometimes start this way).
Attacks to the face, in addition to metsubushi, are common in the techniques of the school.
The Koto Ryu is broken down into five levels wich are as follows:
1. KURAI DORI (Five Kamae)
2. SHODEN NO KATA (Eighteen Techniques)
3. CHUDEN NO KATA (Twelve Techniques)
4. OKUDEN NO KATA (Twelve Techniques)
Okuden, and Hekito are the highest levels of training with the school, and contain the secret
teachings. The Hekito is unarmed combat against sword, but a skilled member of the school can also
do the Hekito with sword against sword.
The Bujinkan Dojo video Koto Ryu Koppojutsu by Soke Hatsumi shows three makimono (scrolls).
Two of them have the name of the scroll partially clear and listed as such.:
1. Koto Ryu Koppojutsu......
2. Koppojutsu ......
The rest is unclear.
Typical movement within the Koto Ryu is:
Yoko Aruki (cross stepping), and Toki (stamping on toes).
Short distancing, and striking hard.
A saying in the Koto Ryu is, "The eyes are everything".
Always making the eyes appear blank, so that no telepathic movement can be detected by the
opponent
Looking at the eyebrows of the opponent rather than their eyes.
The Koto Ryu has a unique form of Kenjutsu (Swordsmanship).
The Koto Ryu also contains kuji prayer forms and they are called Sanpo Gassho (3 treasures). These
same kuji also appear in the Gyokko Ryu. They are listed as the Gassho Kuji Kiri (nine symbol
slashes prayers).
"Sanpo Gassho"
1. Kongo - Cloud prayer
2. Suirin - Water ring prayer
3. Kaku Gassho - Fire and winds prayer
HISTORY OF
SHINDEN
FUDO RYU
The founder of
this school,
‘Izumo’, learned
Chinese Kempo
boxing. Today
some of this is
still noticeable
within the
techniques.
Izumo Kanja
Yoshiteru is also
credited as being
the founder of
the Kukishinden
Ryu Happo
Hikenjutsu
(Chapter 3).
Above the door
of Toda's dojo,
there was a
nameplate, which
read
"Shindenfudo
Ryu Jutaijutsu".
In the dojo there
was a set of rules
displayed for all
of the students to
abide by.
These rules are
from the Shindenfudo Ryu Densho and are listed as follows:
1. Know wisdom of being patient during times of inactivity.
2. Choose the course of justice as the path of your life.
3. Do not allow your heart to be controlled by the demands of greed, ease, or pain.
4. Sorrow, pain, and resentment should be regarded as natural qualities to be found in life.
Therefore, work to cultivate an inmovable spirit (heart).
5. Hold in your heart the importance of family loyalty, and aspire greatly for the ways of the pen
and the sword with balanced determination.
Observing the 5 rules above is the law of the Dojo. Written at New Year, Meiji 23 (1891).
Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu
The secret principle of Shindenfudo Ryu is the "Principle of Nature".
The Shindenfudo Ryu has two styles of taijutsu:
Dakentaijutsu, and Jutaijutsu. In the Dakentaijutsu there are no formal kamae and the use of natural
posture is emphasized, while in the Jutaijutsu there are 5 kamae.
The training levels in the Dakentaijutsu are:
Ten no kata (8 kata)
Chi no kata (8 kata)
Shizen Shikoku no kata (12 kata)
The training levels in the Jutaijutsu are:
Kamae (5 kamae)
Shoden no kata (16 kata)
Chuden no kata (11 kata)
Okuden no kata (8 kata)
Hojojutsu is also taught in this Ryu-ha. It is used along side the taijutsu, to help restrain the
opponent.
The school uses several different types of yari, ono (war axe), O-tsuchi (war hammers), and
naginata.
HISTORY OF
TAKAGI
YOSHIN RYU
In 1569 during
the Yeiroku era
(1568-1579) in
the Funagata
Yama (mountain
area) of Miyagi,
there was a
Chinese
mountain priest
from the Abe
family called
Unryu (Cloud
Dragon), who
was an expert in
the shuriken,
bojutsu, yari,
naginata and
taijutsu from the
Amatsu Tatara
Rinpo Hiden
Makimono. The
Amatasu Tatara
scroll was kept
by the Abe,
Nakatomi,
Otomo, and
Monobe families
(Takamatsu
Sensei's family
and the Kuki
family also
possessed a copy). The Dai Nippon Bugei Ryu-Ha gives Unryu's name as Sounryu. He was a
wandering Taoist monk, living in Rikuzen Funagawa, not far from Sanroku Mountain. Some
historians have said that Unryu came from Hieizaenji Yama in Kyoto. He studied Sessho hiden no
jutsu, a system that uses the yari. The Sessho hiden no jutsu is also known as the Juppo sessho no
jutsu.
Unryu taught this system with the yari to a samurai from Katakura Kojuro (in Fukushima province)
named Ito Ki-i Morisatada (also called Ito Sukesada). Ito was a famous martial artist of that time
(1570's) and the founder of the Itto Ryu Kenko Ryu.
The transmission of the Takagi Yoshin Ryu scrolls from Takamatsu Toshitsugu, to Hatsumi Masaaki,
took place on a lucky day in the 5th Month Showa 33 (May 1959).
THE LEVELS OF TRAINING IN TAKAGI YOSHIN RYU:
Shoden no Kata
Chuden no Sabaki Gata
Chuden no Tai no Gata
Okuden no Kata
Moguri Gata
Daisho Sabaki Gata 14 techniques
10 techniques
15 techniques
8 techniques
11 techniques
14 techniques
Hon Tai Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu – Ueno Takaschi (Mizuta line).
The Takagi Yoshin Ryu takes its techniques further than those of Judo and Aikido. When the
techniques are applied it is made as difficult as possible for your assailant to escape by rolling and
breakfalling. This style of Jujutsu comes from training within a building, unlike other styles which
originated outdoors. Therefore the techniques result with the opponent being thrown, locked, or
held close to the body due to being inside in a more confined area, instead of throwing him a
distance away from you as you could outdoors. In the Takagi Yoshin Ryu you are taught to look at
the eyes, and use speed. You are also trained to use your opponent's own weight and momentum
against him. One of the techniques taught uses something called Rensa Sankaku (Three Sticks), a
movement used as a defense against someone with a sword.
HISTORY OF
KUKISHINDEN
RYU
Kosshijutsu
Before the
history of the
Kukishinden Ryu
can be discussed
the history of its
parent school,
the Kukishin
Ryu, must first
be examined.
The techniques
in the Kukishin
Ryu are said to
come from
China, and the
lands beyond
China.
The ‘Kuki’ (nine
demons) in the
name Kukishin
was given
directly to
Yasushimaru
Kurando by the
Emperor after
seeing how he
fought.
The Kukishinden
Ryu has its roots
from the Kukishin Ryu and there are many different branches of the Kukishinden Ryu and the
Kukishin Ryu. Some the different schools are listed below:
Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu*
Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu*
Kukishinden Hyoho
Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu
Kukishin Ryu Dakentaijutsu
Hon Tai Kukishin Ryu
Hon Tai Kukishin Chosui Ryu
Tatara Shinden Ryu
Shinden Tatara Ryu
Nakatomi Hyoho
Tenshin Hyoho Kukishin Ryu
*The Kukishinden Ryu is known both as Happo Hikenjutsu and Happo Bikenjutsu.
Also in the teachings of the Kukishinden Ryu is the ability to overcome an opponent from a
distance, called taoke no jutsu.
Bikenjutsu is the heading for a group that is made up of Kenjutsu, Kodachi, and Jutte. The
Juttejutsu is the most important part of the Bikenjutsu. The jutte also has the Tessenjutsu(art of
using the fan).
This school excels especially in its use of the sword.
The Kukishin Ryu has a large weapon called a bisento, which is similar to the naginata.
The Kukishinden Ryu Hanbojutsu is one of the basic weapon forms that is taught to all students of
the Bujinkan. The yari waza (sojutsu) and bo waza (bojutsu) of both Kukishinden Ryu and Kukishin
Ryu come from the Amatsu Tatara makimono.
Some of the Kukishinden Ryu Densho books appear on the second color page at the front of the
book on Bojutsu by Hatsumi Masaaki. These Densho books are titled as such (from left to right):
1. Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken no Jutsu 1.
2. Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken no Jutsu 2.
3. Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken no Jutsu 3.
4. Kukishin Happo Biken no Jutsu 3.
5. Hon Tai Kukishin Chosui Ryu, Kukishin Ryu Dakentaijutsu Gokui no maki 2.
HISTORY OF
GYOKUSHIN
RYU
It is believed that
Gyokushin Ryu's
founder Sasaki
Goemon was
originally from
the Gyokko Ryu
or that the
techniques of the
Gyokushin Ryu
were based on
the Gyokko Ryu.
It is not known in
the west as to
what the fighting
techniques of the
Gyokushin Ryu
are. All that is
really known is
that it uses
sutemi throws.
What is known is
that this school
concentrated
more on the
espionage side of
ninjutsu, rather
than the fighting
side. It has been
said that the
specialties of this
ryu were the kusari fundo, ninjutsu, koppojutsu, jutaijutsu, kenjutsu and iaijutsu, although we have
no confirmation on this.
Hatsumi says this about the Gyokushin Ryu in his book Hiden Ninja Submission:
GYOKUSHIN RYU NINPO
"It is a faction of kosshijutsu and was founded by Sasaki Orouemon Akiyari. A characteristic of the
ryu is found in the kind of weapons it uses. Gyokushin Ryu is known for its superior use of
nagenawa, a lasso."
HISTORY OF
GIKAN RYU
Gikan Ryu was
founded by Uryu
Gikanbo, who
was the Daimyo
of Kawachi no
Kuni (Kawachi
province). He
lived in the
family castle
called Uryujo. It
is said that Uryu
Gikanbo's punch
was so powerful
that he once
broke a sword
blade in half. He
was also a master
of Hichojutsu,
and Senban
Nage.
Gikan ryu
contains many
special kicks,
punches, and
throws and its
dynamic
footwork is used
widely within the
Bujinkan system.
Unfortunately
little of the actual
techniques have
been taught in the west and so little is known. People think that many of the Gikan ryu kamae are
off balance because they need extensive practice before they start to "feel" right.
One of the special teachings of the ryu is Bufu ni sente nashi (from this side there is not the first
strike) which tells us that this was a defensive, not offensive art.
THE 5 LEVELS OF TRAINING IN THE GIKAN RYU ARE:
1. Shoden Gata
2. Chuden Gata
3. Okuden Gata
4. Kaiden Gata
5. Menkyo Kaiden
The Makimono scrolls of Gikan Ryu have sections on the kata names, history, secret striking points
(kyusho), and strategies used by the ryu, but research revealed that the makimono, when referring
to techniques, only mention the names, and do not contain the step by step instructions as do some
makimono. This was done in order to keep the teachings of the school secret in case the scrolls were
stolen. From what we understand there are no densho in the Gikan Ryu. The whole range of kata
for the ryu was taught orally.
HISTORY OF
KUMOGAKURE
RYU
It has been said
that this ryu was
really created by
the Toda family,
in the 1600's as a
Ninjutsu school
of thought,
centering its
techniques on the
non-violent side
of Ninjutsu. The
Togakure Ryu
teaches that
violence is to be
avoided. This
would also
explain why the
school's taijutsu
is similar to the
Togakure Ryu, as
the Toda were
also Sokes of the
Togakure Ryu.
One of the
special weapons
of the Ryu is the
kamayari (hook
spear). Originally
designed for
climbing up the
sides of ships, it was also used when fighting against swordsmen. The Densho mentions a ninja by
the name Sarutobi Sasuke, who came from the Kumogakure Ryu. Sasuke used to jump from one
tree to another by using a kamayari to hook onto a branch and then swing from one branch to
another, just like a monkey.
Another climbing device is the ippon sugi noburi (single cedar climbing tool). This is a metal tube
25cm long, with three rows of spikes on the outside and a chain running through the middle, with a
metal hook at each end.
Another specialty of this ryu is the Demon mask sometimes worn by members of the ryu. The
kikaku ken or "demon horn strike" (head butt), could also give rise to another theory of the demon
mask, supposing that the mask, even when not worn, gave the idea to use the head during fighting.
The ninja of the Kumogakure Ryu wore armored sleeves when going into combat to help protect
them and also to use in attacking. Outdoor skills such as lighting fires in wet and damp weather and
various other aspects of outdoor survival were included in Kumogakure Ryu training. A
Kumogakure Ryu taijutsu skill is to do double blocks and strikes.
Another Kumogakure Ryu taijutsu specialty is to jump while fighting
In the Bujinkan Dojo a chant/mantra, “Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo" is used to open and close the
training sessions. As far as the Bujinkan is concerned it is thought that this was first used in the
Kumogakure Ryu teachings. Although this sanscrit chant has its roots in the Vedic teachings some
say it is waka (poetry), and shows both Buddhist and Shinto attitudes.
These schools were formed during the centuries of civil war which preceded the unification of Japan
under the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603. Their teachings have not been watered down for the sake of
sporting applications, as is the case with most other Japanese martial practices, but have been faithfully
handed down as methods for dealing with real-life conflict-resolution situations.
There are therefore no tournaments or other such sporting events in the Bujinkan. Training is mainly done
through study and practice of various combat situations against 1 or more opponents, either empty-handed
or with an endless variety of tools. Training is done in a safe and controlled manner in most Bujinkan dojo,
so injuries are rare.
"Unless you can understand the essence within failure you will not
reach the true essence within victory."
Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, Soke
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