History and Tradition of the 9 Ryuha

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Bu 武 – Martial or military

Jin 神 – Spirit or heart

Kan 館 – House or Hall

Bujinkan – “Divine Warrior School”

 

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, formally known as Bujinkan Ninpo Taijutsu or Ninjutsu, is a Japanese martial art that is currently studied around the world. There are a very wide variety of skills taught in this system. These skills are based on nine (9) Ryû (styles or schools) that, in concert, make the protective "umbrella" called Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. The oldest of these schools is close to 1000 years old. The current grandmaster of this system is Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.

Historically, all older martial arts were designed specifically to defend oneself against threats of injury, and many times, death. These threats of death or serious bodily injury originated from highly skilled warriors, and not street fighters, or unskilled persons. As a result, the defender needed to be skilled in many forms of fighting and tactics, for one never knew when the attack would occur, how many attackers would be present, or, by which methods, skills, and trickery would be used against them. For those reasons, the skills within the Bujinkan have been growing and developing, for hundreds of years, into a largely complete system of highly adaptive and effective skills and methods.

The Bujinkan system is designed for combat, and by definition we mean that one's life is in peril. It is also designed for situations of self-defense, where one is threatened with physical harm, but it is not life threatening. The skills taught in the Bujinkan do not easily adapt to "sport" or "tournament" style fighting. In these types of "martial sports" there are many rules. And these rules are very important, for they are present, and enforced, to prevent, or lessen the chance, of injury and death to both competitive participants.

In the Bujinkan system we have techniques that are generally very safe, and also, dangerous techniques that can be done safely. It is important to note that many of the skills that are specifically prohibited in sport martial arts, because they could "hurt" or kill someone, are skills that are regularly practiced, and perfected, in the Bujinkan. For our training is optimized for dealing with a generally unknown attacker or attackers, that have an unknown level of strength and skill, that could easily be intent on taking our life. The skills we practice are not optimized for sport martial arts.

 

 

戸隠流忍法体術/ Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu / The Hidden Door School

Mount Hei-zan is where the Enryakuji (headquarters) of Tendai monastery is sited. So-o was a monk at this place, but left to live for three years in a cave as an ascetic. It was after a dream that he formed the Tendai Shugendo sect of Buddhism. These monks today still exist and some are still engaged in the Kaihogyo (the proper name for the thing which everyone is refering to as Shugendo). And it was within this sect in a small village called Togakure (now Togakushi) in the prefecture of Nagano (close to the Nagano/Gunma-ken border) in Jyoshinsetsu National Park in approximately 1165 Daisuke Nishina was born, a Samurai. It is within the Tendai sect that 750 years later the 33rd Soke of the Ryu is supposed to become "an Abbot", on Mount Hei-zan. 
Daisuke was on the losing side of a battle in the 1180s and was forced to flee into Iga. Here he was found by Kain Doshi (possible known as Kagakure Doshi). He adopted Doshi's warrior teachings to his own Shugendo and the beginnings of Togakure Ryu where formed. Togakure Ryu never had a official founding as some martial arts, just Daisuke and Shima who was also alive at the same time and worked with Daisuke. Goro Togakure is recognized as being the person who officially formed the family of Togakure into the Ninjutsu system that we learn today. Of the first 8 generations, 5 had the name of Togakure, as with most martial traditions it possibly passed from father to son. It is said that it continued in this way until the 1600s (?). When the immediate family died out, the chief branch of the clan Toda took over leadership. The 33rd Soke Takamatsu, was the last member of the Toda line. It was interesting to note that the 11, 12 and 13th Soke of the Ryu are named after the main town of Iga, Ueno. It was the tradition in those days to be named after the town or village that one came from. 
The 2nd Soke of the Ryu, Shima Kosanta Minamoto No Kanesada was a Samurai retainer having the rank of Kosho, for one of the most powerful Samurai generals Kiso Yoshinaka, who was a general in the Minamoto army. The Minamoto where in time (1185) to become the first hereditary Shoguns. When he was 16, Shima fought against the Tiara family, the rivals of the Minamoto family. That battle took place at Awazu, Yoshinaka was on the losing side. It is thought that Shima was wounded in the battle, and fled to one of the nearby mountainous areas near to the battle site. Shima only did this at the request of Yoshinaka. 

Kagakure Doshi, a Ninja of the Hakuun Ryu found Shima and together they fled to Iga. Kagakure was also one of the teachers of Daisuke Togakure, who later on took Shima into his care. The Hakuun Ryu of Ninjutsu was founded by Garyu Doji, but was later completed by Hakuun Doji who later gave the Ryu its name. 

32nd Soke of Togakure Ryu, Shinryuken Masamitsu Toda was also a master in the Bikenshin Ryu and was the sword instructor for the Tokugawa Shogunate in the mid 19th century. 
Togakure Ryu Ninpo includes various punching, throwing and levering techniques. It is known by low and wide stances and also by very strong punches, which are mostly directed towards opponent's eyes, ears and diaphragms. Along with Taijutsu, this school includes the arts of Ken jutsu (sword), So jutsu (spear), Naginata jutsu (helbard), Bo jutsu (sticks), Jutte jutsu (multiple bladed dagger), Tessen jutsu (fan), Ka jutsu (fire), Sui jutsu (water), Onshin jutsu (invisibility) and three school secrets, named Sanpo Hiden, which are Shuko (hand claws), Senban Shuriken (throwing daggers), and Shinodake (bamboo tube for breathing under water).

Togakure Ryu Liniage

Togakure (Nishina), Daisuke Oho circa 1161
Minamoto no Kanesada, Shima Kosanta 1180
Togakure, Goro 1200
Togakure, Kosanta
Koga, Kosanta
Kaneko, Tomoharu
Togakure, Ryuho
Togakure, Gakuun
Kido, Koseki
Iga, Tenryu
Ueno, Rihei
Ueno, Senri
Ueno, Manjiro
Iizuka, Saburo
Sawada, Goro
Ozaru, Ippei
Kimata, Hachiro
Kataoka, Heizaemon
Mori, Ugenta
Toda, Gobei
Kobe, Seiun
Momochi, Kobei
Tobari, Tenzen
Toda, Nobutsuna Seiryu Kwanyei circa 1624 - 1644
Toda, Nobuchika Fudo Manji circa 1658 - 1681
Toda, Kangoro Nobuyasu Tenna circa 1681 - 1704
Toda, Eisaburo Nobumasa Hoyei circa 1704 - 1711
Toda, Shinbei Masachika Shotoku circa 1711 - 1736
Toda, Shingoro Masayoshi Gembun circa 1736 - 1764
Toda, Daigoro Chikahide Meiwa circa 1764 - 1804
Toda, Daisaburo Chikashige Bunkwa circa 1804 - ?
Toda, Shinryuken Masamitsu ? - 1909 (b.1824 - d.1909)
Takamatsu, Toshitsugu Uoh 1907 - 1972 (b.1887 - d.1972)
Hatsumi, Masaaki (Yoshiaki) 1968 - (b.1931)

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 玉虎流骨指術/ Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu/ The Jeweled Tiger School

Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu techniques were brought to Japan from China during the Tang Dynasty by a Chinese monk called Cho Gyokko or Yo Gyokko. The ryu was passed down from generation to generation and was repeated until it was given to Sakagami Taro Kunishige. He organized the ryu and served as head from 1532 to 1555. The ryu was then passed to Momochi Sandayu. The Momochi family then passed the ryu to the Toda family and to Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Once, when Takamatsu was training with Shinryuken Toda, he was told that the most important thing for him to learn, was the eight fundamental techniques. These are the foundation stone for Hatsumi Sensei's Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu and are the foundation stone of all martial arts. These techniques are called Kihon Happo. Takamatsu then taught these techniques to Masaaki Hatsumi, they are also the foundation of Gyokko Ryu.

 

Kihon Happo is made up of the basic pieces of the Gyokko ryu kata. Gyokko ryu is roughly divided into three sections: unarmed vs. unarmed, unarmed vs. knife, unarmed vs. sword. 
Muto Waza are unarmed against either sword or spear and are the most advanced and difficult techniques of the Ryu. The basic movements are that of a spinning top. If a lock is placed on a joint, the joint is held still by the body, while the feet move one's body around the joint. Because footwork takes time, nerve strikes are applied before and during the motion. The movement in Gyokko ryu is also around an opponent's fixed point of balance. 
Other specialties of this school are Koshi jutsu (attack on muscle and nerve points), Shito jutsu (use of thumb and other fingers), Ken jutsu (sword), Ko Dachi (short sword), Yari jutsu (spear), and Bo jutsu (various sticks).

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九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術/ Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu/ The Nine Demon School of "eight secret weapons arts"

This school is believed to have roots in China and is also said to be founded in the 12th century. Its founder is Izumo Koshiro Terunobu, who learned from Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru, who is written as the first Soke. The word Kuki in the name of the school was obtained after the event, when the master of this school saved the tsar Go-Daigo, who told him, that he was fighting like Kuki - nine demons. Kukishinden ryu warriors used to wear Yoroi battle armors, therefore strong and direct attacks in certain unarmed points are used. This school also uses Bo Ryaku (special kind of strategy), Sui Ren in Ka Ren (use of water and fire), Onshin jutsu (disguise) and weapons as Hanbo (90 cm stick), Rokushaku Bo (180 cm stick), Kaginawa (rope with a hook), Kusari Gama (sickle with chain), Bisento (heavy weapon similar to helbard) and Daisharin (axle with two wheels). It is also written, that Kukishinden warriors used masttops for fighting. This system was used as a naval art, and consequently the movements are designed to be used on a ship that is slippery and rocking.

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玉心流忍法/ Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo/ The Jeweled Heart School

Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo was founded in the mid 1500 by Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi. This school is partially directed towards Cho Ho (spying). The head characteristics of this school are said to be Sutemi Nage (sacrificing throwing). This school preferred spying rather then combat, but it is known that many forms of Nage Waza (throws) were used.

 

虎倒流骨法術/ Koto Ryu Koppojutsu/ The Tiger Knocking Down School

The exact origin of Koto Ryu is unknown, but it was probably brought to Japan from what today is Korea by a person named Chan Buso in the 16th Century. There went several generations before the system was organized by Sakagami Taro Kunishige. It was took two generations more until Toda Sakyo Ishinsai formally formed Koto Ryo Koppojutsu as a Ryu. Sakagami Taro Kunishige was considered as the first Soke in Koto Ryu, but Bando Kotaro Minamoto Masahide, the one that was to be the 2nd Soke died in battle 1542. Instead the Ryu went to Sougyoku Kan Ritsushi who also was the Soke of Gyokko Ryu. There after the Koto Ryu was following the same family line as Gyokko Ryu. The difference as apposed to Gyokko Ryu was that Koto Ryu was only taught to the person that would become the next Soke. Koppojutsu means to destroy the bone structure on the attacker. What specializes the Koto Ryu techniques is that distance is created by moving along with the attack, then moving forward with a strike and then move quickly out to a safe distance again. This is done to come in with a strike at exactly 90 degrees against the bone structure of the attacker to do the most damage. To do this demands good timing and rhythm in the defensive attack, often done with Yoko Aruki (moving with the legs crossing each other). Another important part of the footwork is to hit the attackers toki (the top of the foot), by kicking or stepping on it to control his balance. 
It should also be noted that the starting distance should be really big from the start, the attacker must take one big step or several steps to reach the defender. This states clearly that Koto Ryu was developed for the battlefield or out doors in general, and not inside a house or narrowed places. The Koto Ryu stylist should be looking right between the attackers eyebrows, so that the attacker cannot read the intentions through his eyes. The attacker will also believe that he has eye contact, which will be confusing for him. Other typical methods of Koto Ryu are the use of Metsubushi, different ways of blinding the attacker or attacking the eyes directly. Metsubushi could be powder thrown at the attackers eyes, but also reflections at the eyes from the sword or other metal blades. For example when it rains the Koto Ryu stylist will stand in Mangetsu No Kamae (similar to Hoko No Kamae with the blade in the left hand) and collect water in the hi of the blade and then throw the water at the enemies eyes before the sword slashes down. 

Because of the hard character of the Koto Ryu techniques it demands hard discipline training to harden the body. Takamatsu Toshitsugu started his training in Koto Ryu when he was nine years old, and was considered a Koto Ryu master when he was 13 years old. In his self biography he has written that he got hard fingers and toes by hitting stone and gravel until the blood came through the finger and toenails. Shako Ken (claw hand) is one of the strikes that is used in Koto Ryu. There are stories about Takamatsu Sensei in the 1960's when he convinced Koizume Shizuo, a journalist from the Tokyo Sport Newspaper, by literally drilling five holes through the bark of a tree with his Shako Ken finger strike. Koto Ryu also has an unusual way of using the katana. Koto Ryu is one of the very few Ryu that sometimes changes the grip of the sword by holding it with the left hand near the tsuka. This gives multiple ways of holding the sword with crossed arms that would totally confuse the attacker, and sometimes convince him that the stylist was an amateur and an easy opponent.

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高木揚心流柔体術/ Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu/ The High Tree and Awakened Heart School

It is believed that Takagi Yoshin Ryu was developed from Takenouchi Ryū Jujutsu, and was influenced by Kukishinden Ryu.

Takagi Oriemon Shigetoshi was born into the Samurai caste, the son of Inatobi Sanzaemon – a Kenjutsu Shinan-Yaku or master sword teacher, of the Shiraishi domain. Takagi’s father was murdered in an ambush. When he learned of his father’s murder, he recalled something his father had constantly said:

 

….a willow (yoboku) is strong and flexible, while a tall tree (takagi) will break.

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After he avenged his father’s murder, he took the name Yoshin Ryu akagi Oriemon Shigetoshi.

Following this in 1645, he began studying under Ito Kii no Kami learning and mastering techniques of Yari, Naginata, Shuriken and Taijutsu. Takagi would later follow in his father’s footsteps as a Kenjutsu Shinan-Yaku or master sword teacher, of the Shiraishi domain.There are many branches of Takagi Yoshin Ryu. Takamatsu Toshitsugu learned several different styles from various practitioners and family. The style studied in the Bujinkan is the Mizuta-Den style.

 

Movement

Takagi Yoshin Ryu uses alot of hip movement as leverage to throw the opponent. As most of the combat derived is indoors, many of the techniques drive the opponent into the ground and finish with pinning or restraining them. Movements are very explosive, and incorporate natural recoil or resistance to take the opponents balance.

Along with Jujutsu, this school also uses Dakentai jutsu (punching techniques), which are applied without any strength. Techniques are fast and directed to short combat distance, and they are based on such methods that they do not allow the opponent to escape with rolls. Weapons used in this school are Bo (stick), Yari (spear), Kodachi (short sword), Shuriken (throwing blades), and Tanto (knife).

 

神伝不動流打拳体術/ Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu/ The Immovable Heart School

One of the secret attributes of Shinden Fudo ryu is the "Principle of nature". The ryu originated by Genpachiro Temeyoshi in the mid 12th century. It is traced back to Kosshijutsu which was introduced by Izumo Kanja Yoshitero. Kuki Takei from the Kuki family of Kukishin ryu was also from the Shinden Fudo ryu. Takenaka Tetsunoke, senior student of Jigoro Kano (the founder of Judo) was at one time a student at the Shinden Fudo ryu Dojo. Kuden says that Yari was taught to Izumo (the founder) by Tengu (demons), and these techniques still remain a secret today. The school uses several different types of Yari, Ono (war axes), O-tsuchi (war hammers), and Naginata (halberd). Hojojutsu (the art of tying someone with a rope) is used along side the Taijutsu, to help restrain the opponent. The school is specialized on Jujutsu and Iainuki (fast sword drawing). The Taijutsu of this school bases on Jutai jutsu (levers, controls and throws) and on Dakentai jutsu (punching techniques).

Shinden Fudo Ryu is a school of dakentaijutsu and jutaijutsu/jujutsu. Shinden Fudo Ryu has many body conditioning methods using items found in nature. The school also teaches Ono (a very large axe), Otsuchi (a very large hammer), and Odachi (a huge sword).

According to Bujinkan legends, it was founded by Genpachiro Tameyoshi in the middle of the 12th century.

Formal Techniques of Shinden Fudo Ryu

As with most other koryu, the densho (scrolls) are arranged in a particular order, and each waza (technique), kata (forms), etc are supposed to be learnt in the same order, mastering one before going on to the next one.

 The Shinden Fudo Ryu is divided into two sub-disciplines, each one is taught separately; not everyone will learn both.

Jutaijutsu/Jujutsu (Grappling methods)

Goho no Kamae (Five postures)

Shoden Gata (Basic forms)

Chuden Gata (Intermediate forms)

Okuden Gata (Advanced forms)

Dakentaijutsu (Striking methods)

Ten no Kata (Heaven forms)

Chi no Kata (Earth forms)

Shizen Chigoku no Kata (Natural 'hell' forms)

 

雲隠流忍法/ Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo/ The Hiding in the Clouds School

Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo was founded in the 16th century by Heinaisaemon Ienaga Iga, who was said to have learned his arts from Sarutobi Sasuke. The taijutsu of this school is very similar to the taijutsu of Togakure ryu. The main differences are, that in Komugakure ryu jumps as well as multiple blockings are used. The speciality of this school was Kamayari (sickled spear), which was also used for slombing on the ships. The special weapon, used by warriors of this school was also Ippon Sugi Noburi, which was made of a 25cm long metal tube with three spikes, and through which a long chain with hooks at its ends was laid. This weapon was considered for combat as well as for climbing.

It is said that the phrase "Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo" comes from this ryu and reflects both Buddhist and Shinto attitudes.

 

This Ryu is famous for its Demon Masks that were worn to play on the myth surounding ninja and scare the enemy. A technique rarely if ever seen in other systems was kikaku ken - deamon horn strike (head butt).

 

When going into battle, ninja of this ryu wore armoured sleves to protect themselves.

 

Kumogakure Ryu also taught various survival techniques such as making fire in wet weather

This school is scarcely seen today and some believe that very little of it has survived to the present day.

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義鑑流骨法術/ Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu/ The Truth, Loyalty, and Justice School of Bone Structure Art

The Gikan school is almost unknown, as it was never publicly tought. The founder of this martial art system was Uryu Hangan Gikanbo, who lived in Erioku period. He learned his skills from the master named Akimoto Kanai Moriyoshi. Gikanbo was a Koppojutsu (bone breaking), Hichojutsu (jumping) and Senban Nage (blade throwing) specialist. Those are also known characteristics of Gikan ryu. The school is supposed to consist of five traditional levels, which are: Shoden Gata, Chuden Gata, Okuden Gata, Kaiden Gata and Menkyo Kaiden.

This school is most famous in the Bujinkan for the difficult and odd Kamae's of it's taijutsu. It is specialized in Koppojutsu.

 

Gikan Ryu has many special punches, kicks, and throws, as well as special mov ement techniques.