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We train in the authentic Japanese warrior art known as Budo Taijutsu (warrior body movement)Grandmaster Hatsumi teaches Budo Taijutsu through his organization, which is called The Bujinkan (divine warrior school)Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the 34th generation grandmaster of nine ryu (schools) of combat. Six of the nine are methods Samurai used on the battlefield, and three derive from the ancient Japanese warrior subculture known as the Ninja. |
The 9 Ryu of the Bujinkan
Gyokko Ryu
Koshi Jutsu
Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu is the oldest school in the Bujinkan, and was probably brought to Japan from China around 618 AD - 907 AD. It is believed that the techniques were created by a small-framed imperial princess or guard, who used quick body movements to attack sensitive targets on the body.
Gyokko Ryu's movement is suited for rmored or unarmored combat. It utilizes distancing, circular movements and attacks to detailed functions of the body such as muscles and nevers. Typical for the Gyokko Ryu are powerful counter-striking blocks that hit with the knuckles and balance-taking. Shitojutsu (use of thumbs and fingers) is at trait of Gyokko Ryu, and the many various fist positions used in the Bujinkan come from this school.
Koto Ryu
Koppo Jutsu
The exact origin of this school is not known, but it is speculated that the Koto Ryu came to Japan via Korea, by Chan Busho, a Chinese warrior. The techniques were organized by Sakagami Taro Kunishige in 1542.
Koto Ryu uses short distances between opponents, and the techniques are direct and to- the-point. It focuses on powerful striking, with power generated from twisting and turning of the hips and shoulders. In the Bujinkan, it is renowned for its unarmed techniques that attack the body's structure to take down opponents.
Kukishinden Ryu
Happo Biken Jutsu
The Kukishinden Ryu was developed in the Kumano prefecture, and during the life of the school it was employed by Japanese seamen for combat. This greatly influenced the schools techniques and weapons. Warriors of the Kukishinden Ryu are said to have used masts and rigging during combat.
This school is most famous in the Bujinkan for its many different weapon techniques. It is a complete fighting system and battlefield art based on unarmed fighting, bo, hanbo, yari and naginata techniques as well as techniques for throwing projectiles. Techniques are done assuming the combatants are wearing armor, and the movements reflect this. Since this system may have been used as a naval art, consequently the movements are designed to be used on a ship that is slippery and rocking.Sensei Ueshiba, the founder of modern Aikido, in his youth studied the art of Kukishinden Ryu from the Kuki family.
Shinden Fudo Ryu
Daken Tai Jutsu
Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu was founded in the beginning of 1100 by Izumo Kaja Yoshitero. Shindenfudo Ryu's jujitsu was one of the arts that contributed to the creation of Kodokan Judo. It is most famous in the Bujinkan for the rough Dakentaijutsu striking techniques. It utilizes throws, strikes, locks, and kicks done in a fairly straightforward manner. It uses the body as a striking weapon and often appears "hard" in application. The Shinden Fudo Ryu emphases the use of nature, and techniques are often very casual-looking. There are no formal postures in the school, the kamae are ?held in your heart?. However most of the techniques start from natural standing and sitting postures.
Takagi Yoshin Ryu
Ju Tai Jutsu
Takagi Yoshin Ryu was often used by ancient Japanese police in close-quartered urban settings to apprehend fugitives. It employs grappling and throwing techniques similar to modern day Jujitsu/Judo/Aikido. Takagi Yoshin Ryu has a ?yielding? feel that reacts to the forces provided by the opponent, and uses someone's efforsts against them. Although similar in some ways to Judo/Jujitsu/Aikido, Takagi Yoshin Ryu goes further by making it more difficult for the opponent to roll or fall safely. It includes techniques for non-lethally ambushing, disarming, and capturing people for questioning.
Togakure Ryu
Ninpo Tai Jutsu
Togakure utilizes a large array of ninja weapons, including the Kosetsu Shogee, shuriken, Shuko/Ashiko hand and foot claws, grappling hooks, etc. The movements in Togakure Ryu are very low, stretched out and angular - as opposed to circular movements with small foot-base as seen in other arts. It was developed in highly mountainous areas, and its very low stances and long range attacks make much more sense when put in the context of that terrain. The strategies employed are adapted for survival and escape, such as throws that direct the attacker away, rolling movements, evasion and ?disappearing? skills, and techniques that incapacitate (sometimes brutally and deceptively). When necessary, the emphasis was on escape and spying involving the use of little gadgets, espionage, concealment, sabotage, breaking in and escaping, etc.
The Sakki Test for the rank of Godan (sensing an attack without seeing it) comes from Togakure Ryu
Gikan Ryu
Koppo Jutsu
The Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu is almost totally unknown today to the public. The founder of Gikan Ryu was Uryu Hogan Gikanbo , who lived during the Eiroku Era (1558 - 1570). The Gikan Ryu was heavily influenced by Gyokko Ryu Koppojutsu. From the teachings of Gikanbo comes the saying: 'Bufu Ni Sente Nashi (From this side will not come the first strike) .
Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu contains special kicks, punches and throws. It is said that Gikanbo developed a special punch that could break a sword. Gikan Ryu is known for powerful ?cross? counterstrikubg, which come from far side of the body to strike, unlike strikes seen in the other Bujinkan schools. These strikes, when performed properly, can disable the attacker without further confrontation.
Gyokushin Ryu
Nin Jutsu
It is believed that the techniques of Gyokushin Ryu are based on Gyokko Ryu. In the west, not much is known of the combat techniques of Gyokushin Ryu, except that it may have utilized many sacrifice-throws. The school specialized in the espionage aspect of Ninjutsu. This school was kept secret and unmixed with other schools until it passed to Toda Nobutsuna (1624-1644).
Kumogakure Ryu
Nin Jutsu
Kumogakure Ryu may have been created by the Toda family (also of the Togakure Ryu) in the 1600's as a Ninjutsu school of thought, centering its techniques on the non-violent side of Ninjutsu.
Specialties of this Ryu include the Kamayari (a hooked spear), and is known for its tobi-waza (jumping techniques). The hooked spear was originally used for climbing up the sides of ships and was also used against swordsmen. Also used was the Demon Mask, sometimes worn by the members of the Ryu, for masking their faces, to play on the myth surrounding ninja and to scare the enemy. It may be from here that the Kikaku Ken strike ("Demon Horn strike") originated, which is rarely seen in other arts. When going into battle, ninja of this Ryu wore armored sleeves to protect themselves. Kumogakure Ryu also taught various survival techniques such as making fire in wet weather.
It is said that the phrase "Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo", which is said during the Bujinkan bowing procedure, comes from this Ryu and reflects both Buddhist and Shinto attitudes.