With the tables and descriptions below, I would like to present the nine old schools (koryu) that make up the Bujinkan, thereby making its technical structure more transparent.
A good tip for reading the following lines is that the years and the origin of the legend of the schools may not always have to be taken seriously, as it often happens in Japan that posterity enthusiastically extols historical antecedents.
The list is far from complete, certain weapons and oral teachings (kuden) are not listed. I won't give precise technical descriptions either, because Hatsumi sensei's book "Unarmed fighting techniques of the samurai" is there for that, in which all bare-handed techniques are listed in detail, on the other hand, reading the technical descriptions alone will not lead to results, the understanding will come from the experiences gained during training.
Gyokko Ryu 玉虎流 Koshijutsu “School of the Jewel Tiger”
Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu is the oldest school of Bujinkan. Its techniques were developed in the 900s, but it was "only" founded in the XII century. it happened in the middle of the century. Founded by Tozawa Hakuunsai. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the 28th grandmaster of the ryu, who declared this school as the foundation of Japanese Budo.
| Theme | |
| Empty-handed | |
| Sanshin no kata | 5 kata |
| Motogata | 3 kata |
| Torite Kihon Gata | 5 kata |
| Taihenjutsu Mutōdori Gata | 3 kata |
| Jō Ryaku no Maki | 12 Kata |
| Chū Ryaku no Maki | 8 Kata |
| Ge Ryaku no Maki | 8 Kata |
Characteristics
- Complex, multi-step form exercises.
- The Tori (defender) moves in a circle both around its own axis and around the attacker
- Juji Ashi - Crossing Step
- Favorite techniques are throws, stretches, and twists
- One of his important teachings: "Break your opponent's strength, but spare his life"
- Kihon Happo (8 basic techniques of Bujinkan) originates from Moto and Torite Kihon Gata
- In Jō Ryaku no Maki techniques, the attacker attacks with bare hands
- In Chū Ryaku no Maki techniques, the attacker holds a kodachi
- In Ge Ryaku no Maki techniques, the attacker has a daito
Togakure Ryu 戸隠流 Ninpo Happo Hiken
"The School of the Hidden Door"
This school is one of the oldest ryu. It was founded in the XII. can be dated to the second half (rather the end) of the 20th century. Founded by Daisuke Nishina, the ryu got its name from a village, Togakure, where its founder and first Grandmaster was born. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the 34th Grandmaster of the ryu.
| Theme | |||
| Empty-handed | Weapon | ||
| Taijutsu Ukemi Gata | 6 kata | Happo Biken- Kard | 6 kata |
| Shinobi Gaeshi Gata | 5 kata | ||
| Hiden Gata | 7 kata | ||
| Santo Tonkō no Kata | 9 kata | ||
| Okuden Gata | 12 kata | ||
| Shirabe Moguri Gata | 12 kata | ||
Characteristics
- The only ninja school taught in detail within the Bujinkan
- In the techniques, how the fighter escapes from the fight plays a much more important role than the fight itself.
Koto Ryu 虎倒流 Koppojutsu
"The School of the Slamming Tiger"
It was founded in the XVI. happened in the middle of the century. Founded by Sakagami Taro Kunishige. Little is known about its origin, but it is most likely that it comes from the territory of present-day Korea. It was brought to Japan by a man named Chan Buso. Its transformation into Ryu is attributed to Toda Sakyo Ishinsai. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the 18th Grandmaster of ryu.
| Theme | |
| Empty-handed | |
| Shoden Gata | 18 kata |
| Hekitō Gata | 8 kata |
| Chūden Gata | 12 kata |
| Okuden Gata | 12 kata |
| Kaiden Gata | 3 kata |
Characteristics
- Short form exercises consisting of a few steps
- Straight-line movements
- Yoko aruki- side step
- With the last punch or kick of the techniques, we bring the attacker to the ground
- Eye contact should be avoided, instead look at the opponent's eyebrows
Shindenfudo Ryu 神伝不動流 Dakentaijutsu
"The School of the Unshakable Heart"
Also the XII. This ryu was founded in the 19th century. Its founder was Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru. He is famous for his tough jutai-jutsu techniques. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the 26th Grandmaster of the ryu.
| Theme | |
| Empty-handed | |
| Ten no Kata | 8 kata+16 ura kata |
| Chi no Kata | 8 kata+16 ura kata |
| Shizen Shigoku no Kata | 12 kata+24 ura kata |
Characteristics
Kukishinden Ryu 九鬼神伝流 Happo Hiken
"School of the Nine Demon Gods"
The XIV. It was founded in the middle of the century by Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru. It features a number of weapon techniques, which at the same time define its characteristics. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the 28th Grandmaster of the ryu.
| Theme | |||
| Empty-handed | Weapon | ||
| Shoden Gata | 12 kata | Bikenjutsu – sword | 9 kata |
| Chūden Gata | 12 kata | Rokushakubō – long stick | 57 kata |
| Sabaki Gata | 12 kata | Hanbōjutsu –short stick | 16 kata |
| Okuden Gata | 12 kata | Jōjutsu – middle sized stick | 9 kata |
| Shirabe Moguri Gata | 12 kata | Sōjutsu – Spear | 28 kata |
| Naginatajutsu – naginata | 9 kata | ||
| Bisentōjutsu – Nehéz bárd | 9 kata | ||
| Juttejutsu – Középkori „gumibot” | 5 kata | ||
| Kodachijutsu – short sword | 3 kata | ||
Characteristics
- The use of classic Japanese armor (yoroi) is strongly felt in the school's form of movement.
- Uke's attack consists of several steps, which helps with realistic practice
- Most of the weapons are introduced through this school in the Bujinkan
Takagi Yoshin Ryu 高木揚心流 Jutaijutsu
"The school of the tall tree, elevated heart"
It was founded in the XVII. It happened in the middle of the 19th century, so it is the youngest ryu among the 9 schools. Founded by Takagi Oriemon Shigenobu. The Y in the ryu's name The word oshin means willow, which was the inspiration for the founder. His techniques are characterized by the fact that they do not require a lot of space, which is why his movements are quite narrow. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the 17th Grandmaster of ryu.
| Theme | |
| Empty-handed | |
| Shoden Omote Gata | 13 kata |
| Shoden Ura Gata | 20 kata |
| Eri Jime Kata | 8 kata |
| Chūden no Sabaki Gata | 10 kata |
| Chūden no Tai no Kata | 15 kata |
| Mutō Dori Gata | 7 kata |
| Daisho Sabaki Gata | 14 kata |
| Okuden Shirabe Gata | 15 kata |
| Okuden Moguri Gata | 11 kata |
Characteristics
- There are no formalized stances (kamae), it uses the stances of Kukishinden Ryu
- In the sitting position (seiza) it is important to be able to react quickly, so the center of gravity is in the middle
- Throws, chokes, stretches that also work against an armored opponent
- When taking the opponent to the ground, the goal is to prevent him from being able to cushion the fall
- Since it was also used by bodyguards, takedowns and catches are an important part of the techniques
- Techniques against a sword attacker
Kumogakure Ryu 雲隠流 Ninpo Happo Hiken
"The school hidden in the clouds"
It was founded in the XVI. happened in the century. Founded by Iga Heinaizaemon No Jo Ienaga. Kumogakure Ryu taijutsu shares many similarities with Togakure Ryu. But Kumogakure has narrower positions. His main specialty is Kamayari and jumping techniques.
Gyokushin Ryu 玉心流 Ninpo Happo Hiken
"The School of the Jewel Heart"
It was founded in the XVI. can be dated to the middle of the century. Founded by Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi. Quite a few of its techniques are known, its main characteristic being espionage. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the 21st Grandmaster of the ryu
Gikan Ryu 義鑑流 Koppojutsu
"The school of truth, loyalty and justice"
The XVI. school founded in the middle of the century. Its founder is Uryu Hagan Gikanbo, but the ryu's foundations were laid by Akimoto Kanai Moriyoshi, who was not recognized as the actual founder. It is characterized by deep, difficult postures and koppojutsu techniques. It is interesting that Toshitsugu Takamatsu Akimoto gave the Grandmaster title to Fumio, but after Fumio's early death Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi received this title.
