The Bay Area Bujinkan Dojo is dedicated to the correct transmission and preservation of the authentic Bujinkan martial arts - skills that rouse the natural and hidden powers of human beings, for the purpose of protecting nature, peace, and justice. Training at the Bay Area Bujinkan deals with "jissen" (actual combat), not sport, and emphasizes natural movement with little dependence on strength or speed. The training is conducted in a non-competitive environment and is directed toward the total development of the student taking into account the physical, mental and physic aspects of self-protection. The Bay Area Bujinkan instructors are fully licensed by Hatsumi Sensei and the Bujinkan Honbu Dojo.
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is a traditional and ancient Japanese martial art with a rich and viable history that spans over ten centuries. Developed by the legendary ninja and samurai of feudal Japan, the Bujinkan martial arts continue to flourish worldwide in the 21th Century under the direct guidance of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, thirty-fourth grandmaster of the Togakure Ryu Ninpo tradition and eight other distinct budo traditions. Hatsumi Sensei is the last and only true ninja soke (grandmaster) having a direct line of descent from feudal Japan.
Three of the nine Bujinkan schools are traditional ninpo ryu ha. The term "ninpo" refers to the group of martial traditions and philosophy that were developed in Japan since the ancient period based on the bugei juhappan (warrior's eighteen skills) & ninja juhakkei (eighteen ninjutsu skills). The compassionate and defensive nature of ninpo is revealed in the saying: "ninpo is the essence of goshinjutsu (self-protection)". The remaining six Bujinkan traditions were exhaustively perfected by the "samurai" during the incessant years of warfare that plagued Japan during the Sengoku ("Warring States") Era and directly afterwards.
Bujinkan unarmed and armed movements are both relaxed and explosive, focusing on power generated through natural and efficient use of the entire body ("taijutsu"). Today, the nine legacies of the Bujinkan are sustained and taught collectively as "budo taijutsu" by Hatsumi Sensei. Efficiency and total body awareness of real fighting style is the impetus of technique and is always stressed during training.
"The tradition of the Bujinkan recognizes nature and the universality of all human life, and is aware of that which flows
naturally between the two parts: the secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the foundations of peace. To study is the path to the immovable heart"
Soke Hatsumi
Founded in Japan, Ninjutsu was created in central Honshu (the largest of the Japanese islands) about eleven hundred years ago, and was started by defeated samurai and Chinese military leaders who escaped from their homelands to find sanctuary from new Chinese rulers. There are many who believe that the ninja's history goes back even further than eleven hundred years. In any case, with the knowledge of the ancient samurai combat techniques and the influence of the mountain priests, the art of stealth was formed. The ninja's beliefs were originally based on holding all life as sacred, and valuing personal freedom and family loyalty above any political policies. Ninja families felt they were one with nature and lived according to its laws. These people were also in close contact with their spiritual side and their beliefs became an essential part of Ninjutsu. Many Japanese regarded their whole world: the rivers, mountains, lakes, and trees, as having their own energy and spirit.
One of the spiritual influences was Shinto, the way of the kami, being the Japanese translation for the word god or deity. Another spiritual predominance on the ninja was Mikkyo, this being a way of enhancing personal power. These methods included the use of secret words and symbols to focus their concentration and energy toward specific goals. Shugenja were also largely responsible for the development of Ninjutsu. The Shugendo method of spiritual self-discovery consisted of subjecting oneself to the harsh weather and terrain of the area in order to draw strength from the earth itself. This included walking through fire, standing beneath freezing waterfalls, and hanging over the edges of cliffs in an effort to overcome fear and assume the powers of nature. However Ninjutsu was and is a separate philosophy.
In order to perfect their self-defense techniques they used their extensive knowledge of the workings of nature, as well as specific military techniques passed down through the years, as weapons against the several superior government armies. They used any trick, superstition or strategy to protect themselves. Without a working knowledge of their ideology, their opponents were unable to figure out the Ninjutsu strategies. The exaggerations of ninja abilities were started by the ninjas themselves as a way to outwit their enemies. It was very easy for anyone to be scared of what they do not understand. This enabled the ninjas to surround themselves with an atmosphere of mystery and supernatural happenings by being very secretive about everything they did. They used people's fear of them to their advantage. This has earned them the reputation for being the most amazing warriors the world has ever known. Hence, their art is refered to as Ninpo, the po suggesting a higher order, or encompassing philosophy.
Please contact Shihan Martin in order to schedule an interview for joining class.
Monday:
7 PM to 9 PM
Cost: $25.00 per class
Saturday:
9 AM to 11 00 AM
Cost: $25.00 per class
Eric Schiermeyer
My name is Eric Schiermeyer. I've been training in the Bujinkan for the last 14 years. Every teacher has a particular style in which they transmit Soke's teachings.
My style is one that creates space for my students to develop themselves.
Andy Martin: Shihan, 15th dan
Andy Martin, Shihan in the Bujinkan system, has many decades of training and life experiences in the martial arts. For the past twenty plus years, Andy has been focusing on teaching others as a part of his overall martial arts studies. "As early as I can remember I have been drawn to the study of martial arts, it feels as though it has always been an innate part of me."
Shihan Martin came to study "The Bujinkan" system after diligent training in a number of other martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do, Muy Thai boxing and Kempo. These martial arts are certainly respected, however, the Bujinkan system provides a more holistic approach to understanding "Budo". This search for greater meaning led Shihan Martin to become a student of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, Soke of the Bujinkan system.
As a result of his many years of training in Japan, the creation of "Bujinkan Los Angeles Dojo" was brought into reality and allowed him to continue his reach to many students as well as demonstrate his personal commitment to self-evolvement. The founding of Bujinkan Los Angeles was motivated by his desire to share his deep appreciation of the highest human values embodied in the art of Ninjutsu. To date many great and gifted teachers have grown at our dojo and have allowed Shihan Martin to begin teaching at Bay Area Bujinkan.
His commitment to the art of Ninjutsu frequently takes him back to Japan to further his studies with Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi as well as other high-ranking teachers within the Bujinkan system.
"Life presents us with endless opportunities to do the right thing. Ninjutsu provides the framework to develop the courage and skills necessary to respond to life's challenges."
According to Shihan Martin, teaching is a balance of joy and responsibility. The joy of sharing the profound lessons and techniques of this ancient art as well as the responsibility to remain in the service of what is good for humanity and for all life.
Shihan Martin demonstrates the integration of compassion into the warrior lifestyle through his ongoing involvement with various philanthropic commitments such as a various AIDS foundations, Lymphoma Cancer and Breast Cancer Societies. Additionally, he provides aspects of his teaching to many as human resources professional in the business community around the globe.
History of Hatsumi
Soke Masaaki Hatsumi and the Bujinkan
Born on December 2nd 1931, Masaaki Hatsumi became the founder and grandmaster of the Bujinkan Dojo, which was started in honor of his teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Dr. Hatsumi holds college degrees in Drama and Osteopathic Medicine and is best known for "opening the doors" of Ninjutsu to non-Japanese. He also holds black belts in several arts, including judo, karate, kendo, aikido and jojutsu, and has studied such western arts as boxing. He was introduced to Kendo by his father when he was seven years old. He also studied Judo and Karate. In Junior High School he was a gymnast, boxer and the captain in the Junior High School soccer team. He also studied social dancing which he believes helped him with the footwork in his Budo training. In his College years he continued to practice Boxing and Judo, he belonged to the Judo and Drama clubs and studied Theatre Arts. During his studies in Medical School, he received 4th Dan in Judo.
Soke Masaaki Hatsumi 34rd Grand Master of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu In his early twenties he was asked to teach Judo to the American soldiers at the Yokota Army Base, which he accepted. He found that the big Americans seemed to have the size and natural ability for Judo, and Hatsumi found that they were learning in months what took the typical Japanese years to study. At this point he began to question his training and began searching for a true warrior tradition.
When he was 26 years old, in 1957, he met Takamatsu Toshitsugu in Kashiwabara City west of the Iga region in Japan. He traveled across Honshu islands every weekend for fifteen years to study with his teacher. The train ride took him over a half day from his home in Noda to Takamatsu's home in Kashiwabara. After 15 years of studying, Takamatsu Toshitsugu died 83 years old in his home in Nara (just East of Osaka) April 2nd in 1972. A few years earlier Takamatsu had already decided that Hatsumi would be the next sole inheritor and Soke of the nine schools.
These historical roots, brought from the ancient battlefields of Japan, provide a mine of rich teachings that are equally applicable to modern situations. Since becoming the Soke of nine ko ryu in 1972 after the passing of Takamatsu Sensei, Masaaki Hatsumi has become an international figure thanks to the exposure brought to him by his first western students: Doron Navon and Stephen Hayes.
To reflect the emergence of Ninjutsu into modern society, Hatsumi Sensei formed the Bujinkan in the late 70s to teach a more eclectic curriculum of martial arts training to the world. Following in this principle, the 90s has seen him change the name of this martial art to Budo Taijutsu.
Hatsumi Sensei wanted to shift away from the cartoonish image of Ninjutsu and more toward the essence of true Bujutsu. Toshitsugu Takamatsu Sensei As a source of remarkable knowledge on the subject of Budo Taijutsu (formally known as Ninjutsu), Hatsumi Sensei has provided the most enlightening insights into this ancient martial art. In fact he is regarded as "The Source" of all true Ninpo training.
Dr. Hatsumi preaches the importance of understanding the principles underlying techniques, not just the mechanics things that will serve the greatest benefit in the flurry of a real fight: -By experiencing the confrontation of danger, the transcendence of fear of injury or death, and a working knowledge of individual personal powers and limitations, the practitioner of Ninjutsu can gain the strength and invincibility that permit enjoyment of the flowers moving in the wind, appreciation of the love of others, and contentment with the presence of peace in society--Personal enlightenment can only come about through total immersion in the martial tradition as a way of living.
As grandmaster of the Bujinkan dojo, Dr. Hatsumi actively travels the world to share the teachings of Budo Taijutsu as passed to him by his teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Each year, Dr. Hatsumi holds two international Taikai (gatherings) for training, usually alternating between Europe and the United States. Additionally, hundreds of eager students from scores of countries also converge to Japan for training with Dr. Hatsumi each year.
He can be both poetic and unyielding in speech and tone. Its a well regarded belief among all members of the Bujinkan that a person can not truly advance to the higher levels of Budo Taijutsu without having trained personally with Hatsumi Sensei. Dr. Hatsumi has been awarded the International Culture Award by the Japanese government. He was also nominated for his cross-cultural leadership in martial arts instruction.
Among Dr. Hatsumi's other many honors are the title of Knighthood from Germany, Honorary Doctorate degrees in both Human Sciences and Philosophy, Honorary Texas Ranger and numerous Honorable Citizenship awards from locales such as Los Angeles, California and Dublin, Ireland. Hatsumi Sensei is an actor of several Japanese Television productions, as well as a Ninjutsu consultant for TV and film. Among his many interests are art, music, acting, and writing. Being a former bonesetter, has penned over a dozen books, and is the former chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan. Dr. Hatsumi's work has also been recognized by numerous government and law enforcement officials, such as the FBI and the NSA.
The second oldest of the nine traditions, this ryu forms much of the basis for the Ninjutsu techniques taught in the Bujinkan. This system is famous for its use of such weapons as shuko and shuriken. It was reportedly founded by Daisuke Togakure in the late 1100's.
So-o was the name of a monk at a monastery on Mount Hiei-zan. As was a custom in those times he left his home to live for three years in a cave, subjecting himself to the hardship of nature in order to discover truth and enlightenment. It was after a mysterious dream that he formed the Tendai Shugendo sect of Buddhism, and established the headquarters of the Tendai monastery at Hiei-zan. These monks still exist today and some are still engaged in Shugendo, or mountain asceticism: purifying one's self by trial and hardship.
Near to Hiei-zan was a small village called Togakure, in the prefecture of Shinano. Here in approximately 1161, Daisuke Nishina was born into a Samurai family. Sometime during his early life, he studied at the Tendai monastery on Togakure Mountain (Mount Hiei-zan) near his village. These early experiences were to play an important role later when Daisuke was to establish a system of fighting, survival and infiltration.
It is important to understand the events leading up to the creation of Togakure Ryu Ninpo. Daisuke Nishina's father was Yukihiro Nishina, who was a highly ranked samurai in the service of Lord Yoshinaka Minamoto, the cousin of the first Shogun of Japan. When Yoshinaka Minamoto was only an infant, a samurai was sent from a rival family to kill him and his mother. Yoshinaka's mother escaped with him and went secretly to the home of a farmer who was loyal to their family. Yoshinaka was later brought to Kiso village in Shinano, not far from Togakure village.
It was possibly because of this movement that Yukihiro Nishina of Togakure came into his service. Years later, Yoshinaka's family had defeated their rivals and became rulers of Japan. But they saw Yoshinaka as a threat to their leadership, and they turned on him. Yoshinaka Minamoto changed his name to Yoshinaka Kiso, taking the name of the village where he lived, which was a common practice at the time. In 1184, Yoshinaka was attacked by the army of his half-brother... sixty thousand warriors descended quickly upon Yoshinaka's army near Kyoto. The battle was called Awaza no Kassan, and Yoshinaka Kiso was killed by an arrow in his eye. On his side had fought Yukihiro Nishina of Togakure, who was also killed, and his son Daisuke Nishina, who survived.
Daisuke, being on the losing side of this battle, was forced to flee into far-away Iga to escape persecution. There he fled into the remote villages, hidden in the mists of a land of high mountains and thick forests. He changed his name to Daisuke Togakure, after the village of his birth.
While he was in Iga, Daisuke was found by Kagakure Doshi. Kagakure Doshi was a shinobi, and the third soke of Hakuun Ryu, which was one of the original ninjutsu systems developed from the teachings of Ikai (Yi Gai, who brought the roots of koshijutsu from China). It is also possible that Doshi was Daisuke's uncle, and that Daisuke fled to Iga with the intention of finding him.
Daisuke Togakure learned Doshi's warrior teachings, and added them to his own Shugendo beliefs, and the beginnings of Togakure Ryu where forged. But Daisuke was not alone studying under Kagakure Doshi. With him was Shima Kosanta Minamoto no Kanesada. He was a high level samurai retainer who had also fought at the battle of Awaza no Kassan, where he had become a friend to Daisuke and his father. Shima was wounded in the fighting, and was taken by Daisuke to Iga. Shima was to become the second soke of Togakure Ryu. He took the name Daisuke Togakure II after Daisuke's death. His son Goro Togakure, the third soke, is recognized as being the person who actually formed the teachings of Togakure into the Ninjutsu system that we learn today. The 11th, 12th and 13th Soke of the Ryu are named after the main town of Iga, Ueno. Again, it was common in those days to be named after the town or village from which one came. It is therefore likely that the Togakure Ryu was based at or near Ueno at that time. Ueno is in north Iga, but Togakure Ryu mainly operated out of southern central Iga during most of its history.
It is told that members of the Hattori clan trained in Togakure Ryu. Hattori Hanzo is the most famous of all Ninja. Also members of the Momochi family also trained in this system, and the 21st Soke of Togakure Ryu was Momochi Kobei, a descendant of Momochi Sandayu, the second most famous ninja and a leading figure of the Iga region.
As with most martial traditions in earlier days, control of the system stayed within the family that founded it, and control of the style passed from father to son. With Togakure Ryu, it continued in this way for the most part until the 1600's. When the immediate family died out, most senior member of the system was Nobutsuna Toda, who was given leadership and became the 24th Soke. When the Toda family took control in approximately 1625, they added their own ninjutsu system of Kumogakure Ryu to it. They also controlled Gyokko Ryu and Koto Ryu, and from that time on, all those martial arts systems were then passed down together.
The 32nd Soke of Togakure Ryu, Shinryuken Masamitsu Toda, was the sword instructor for the Tokugawa Shogunate in the mid 19th century. He resigned his post when he learned that he was teaching men who were then forced to kill other Japanese people. This went against the Law of Togakure Ryu. The 33rd Soke, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, was the last member of the Toda family to control the Togakure Ryu. Within the Tendai Shugendo sect, nearly a millennium after its founding by the monk So-o, the 33rd Soke of Togakure Ryu Toshitsugu Takamatsu was ordained on Mount Hiei-zan.
"Violence is to be avoided, and Ninpo is Bujutsu"
Soke of Togakure Ryu
Ikai
Hogenbo
Sakabe, Tendo
Hachiryu, Nyodo Tenei era 1110
Kimon, Hyobei Ninpei era 1151
Kasumigakure, Doshi
1. Togakure (Nishina) Daisuke Oho era 1161
2. Minamoto no Kanesada, Shima Kosanta 1180
3. Togakure, Goro 1200
4. Togakure, Kosanta
5. Koga, Kosanta
6. Kaneko, Tomoharu
7. Togakure, Ryuho
8. Togakure, Gakuun
9. Kido, Koseki
10. Iga, Tenryu
11. Ueno, Rihei
12. Ueno, Senri
13. Ueno, Manjiro
14. Iizuka, Saburo
15. Sawada, Goro
16. Ozaru, Ippei
17. Kimata, Hachiro
18. Kataoka, Heizaemon
19. Mori, Ugenta
20. Toda, Gobei
21. Kobe, Seiun
22. Momochi, Kobei
23. Tobari, Tenzen
24. Toda, Nobutsuna Seiryu Kwanyei era 1624 - 1644
25. Toda, Nobuchika Fudo Manji era 1658 - 1681
26. Toda, Kangoro Nobuyasu Tenna era 1681 - 1704
27. Toda, Eisaburo Nobumasa Hoyei era 1704 - 1711
28. Toda, Shinbei Masachika Shotoku era 1711 - 1736
29. Toda, Shingoro Masayoshi Gembun era 1736 - 1764
30. Toda, Daigoro Chikahide Meiwa era 1764 - 1804
31. Toda, Daisaburo Chikashige Bunkwa era 1804 - ?
32. Toda, Shinryuken Masamitsu ? - 1907 (b.1824 - d.1909)
33. Takamatsu, Toshitsugu 1907 - 1968 (b.1887 - d.1972)
34. Hatsumi, Masaaki (Yoshiaki) 1968 - (b.1931)
San-po Hiden: The three secret treasures of Togakure Ryu
Senban Shuriken- the four pointed throwing star. This resembled a tool used by carpenters to remove nails, called a kugi-nuki. It was a weapon to harass the enemy to assist in escape.
Shuko- commonly known as climbing claws, they were frequently used on both the hands and feet for combat as well, capable of delivering very serious injuries. They were made of metal bands around the hand and wrist with a strap of leather connecting them. Also called Tegaki.
Shindake- a bamboo tube around 4 feet long, used as an underwater breathing tube and a blowgun.
Sanpo wo uyamae: respect of the three treasures
玉 GYOKU, tama : jewel, ball
虎 KO, tora, take : tiger, drunkard
流 RYŪ, RU, nagare : style, current, flow
骨 KOTSU, hone : knack, skill, bone, frame
指 SHI, yubi, sashi : finger, point to, indicate
術 JUTSU, sube : art, technique, skill, trick
Oral tradition states that Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu is the oldest of the six martial art traditions that make up the Budo Taijutsu System, and it is safe to say that it is the core style of the majority of our arts. The name 'Gyokko' means Jeweled Tiger, or Tiger Jewel, and may refer to the eye of the tiger.
The method of movement and basic principles were developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is thought to be developed by either a smaller man or a woman, based on the movement. It is known that there was a woman in the court of Chan'an (the capitol of the Tang Dynasty) very well known for her martial arts abilities. When the Tang Dynasty fell in 907, many of the Chinese nobility escaped into Japan. The names Yo Gyokko (Yao Yu Hu) and Cho Gyokko are associated with the art leaving China and arriving in Japan. (They possibly were the same person). General Ikai (or Ibou) is also associated with the origin of Gyokko Ryu. Ibou could also be somebody (bou) from foreign (I) country.
The first actual Soke of what we would call 'official Gyokko Ryu' was Tozawa Hakuunsai. His name suggests a connection with Hakuun Ryu Ninjutsu, which no longer exists. This was in the Hogen Era (1156-1159), which makes Gyokko Ryu one of the oldest documented martial art systems in Japan. Hatsumi Sensei has said in fact that koshijutsu is the basis of martial arts in Japan, and that it forms the backbone (koshi) of the fighting systems in the Iga Region (I'm assuming he's referring to all ninjutsu clans). The Bugei Ryu-ha Daijiten refers to the Gyokko Ryu as "Kosshijutsu, Shitojutsu, Ninpo".
Koshijutsu means 'to knock down an enemy with one finger.' Therefore, intense striking training was involved, mostly to the fingers, toes and knuckles, but also with all parts of the body. The style is characterized by powerful blocks with the knuckles that destroy the muscles of the opponent, ripping, piercing and tearing techniques with the fingers and toes, powerful stomping kicks, and close grappling with locks and throws. It was taught in the Gyokko Ryu to only use as much strength as needed to defeat the opponent. They were also known for their skill with the sword, 6-foot staff and knife.
THE NINE RULES OF THE GYOKKO RYU:
The character NIN means to guard the nation with even your life.
Forget self; be patient and do not fear dying.
In danger, say and show nothing.
As a strong enemy comes, keep an indomitable spirit.
Serve and protect the master, as you must your parents.
Vices dissipate your proficiency.
Being drunk affects your judgement.
Destroy the enemy's power but leave his life.
Do not teach others without the master's permission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Headmasters of Gyokko Ryu
Ikai
Hogenbo
Tesshun
Sasabe, Tendo
Hachiryu, Nyudo
Tozawa, Hakuunsai
Tozawa, Shozuke
Suzuki, Saburo Shigeyoshi
Suzuki, Gobei
Suzuki, Kojiro Mitsu
Tozawa, Nyudo Geneai
Yamon, Hyoun
Kato, Ryu Hakuun
Sakagami, Goro Katsushige
Sakagami, Taro Kunishige
Sakagami, Kotaro Masahide
Sougyoko, Kan Ritsushi
Toda, Sakyo Ishinsai
Momochi, Sandayu 1
Momochi, Sandayu 2
Momochi, Tanba Yasumitsu
Momochi, Taro Saemon
Toda, Seiryu Nobutsuna
Toda, Fudo Nobuchika
Toda, Kangoro Nobuyasu
Toda, Eisaburo Nobumasa
Toda, Shinbei Masachika
Toda, Shingoro Masayoshi
Toda, Daigoro Chikashige
Toda, Daisaburo Chikashige
Toda, Shinryuken Masamitsu
Takamatsu, Toshitsugu
Hatsumi, Masaaki
This ryu is a battlefield style whose specialty is the use of many different weapons including spears, swords, hanbos, etc. Many of the weapon techniques (hanbo, bo, yari, naginata, etc) in Bujinkan come from this school. Kukishinden Ryu was reportedly founded by Izuma Kanja Yoshiteru in the mid 1100's.
Soke of Kukishinden Happo Hiken
Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru
Izumo Koshiro Terunobu
Izumo Matsushiro Teruhide
Izumo Bungo Yoshiteru
Izumo Kanja Yoshitaka
Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru
Ohkuni Kisanata Kiyosumi
Tsutsumi Hakushi Mori Ritsuzan
Kuriyama Ukongen Nagafusa
Arima Koshinosuke Masayoshi
Ohkuni Kogenta Yukihisa
Kazama Shinkuro Hidechika
Ohkuni Kihei Shigenobu Genroku Era (1688)
Otone Sakon Yasumasa
Otone Genpachi Yoshihide
Otone Gengoro Yasuhira
Awaji Nyudo Chikayasu
Kurama Kotaro Genshin
Ohkuni Izumo Mori Shigehiro Kokwa Era (1844)
Sugino Juheita Kanemitsu
Hisahara Genjuro Yoshitane
Hisahara Kotaro Nobuyoshi
Ishitani Takeoi Matsatsugu (approx. death 1905)
Ishitani Matsutaro Takekage (approx. death 1911)
Takamatsu Toshitsugu b. 1887 - d. 1972
Hatsumi Masaaki b.1931 -
The history of the Kukishin Ryu and related styles are quite extensive. You can consult the homepage for the Kukishinden Tenshin Hyoho, (Japanese website) for the history of Kukishin Ryu.
The founder of this school, Izumo, learned Chinese Kempo boxing. Today, some of this is still noticeable within the techniques. The second soke, Minamoto Hachiman Tamenari, is credited as being the official founder. At some point in his life he fled to Iga. This was possibly a result of being on the losing side at the end of a battle.
One of the secret attributes of the Shinden Fudo Ryu is the "Principle of Nature". The school has two styles of taijutsu: Dakentaijutsu and Jutaijutsu, each with its own sets of techniques. In the Dakentaijutsu, there are no stances- Shizen no kamae represents the 'natural posture' and holds no fixed form. Hojojutsu, the art of tying someone with a length of rope, is also taught in this Ryu-ha. Also taught are several different types of yari (spear), Ono (war axe), O-Tsuchi (war hammer), and naginata.
Kuki Takei from the Kuki family of Kukishin Ryu was also from the Shinden Fudo Ryu. Takenaka Tetsunoke, senior student of Jigano Kano, the founder of Judo, was at one time a student at the Shinden Fudo Ryu dojo.
The Bugei Ryuha Daijiten lists the soke slightly differently from below, which is the list provided by Hatsumi Sensei, and is missing the 17th and 18th soke. Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu, the 24th soke, was a samurai, and a master in the Bikenshin Ryu. He was also a sword instructor to the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was Takamatsu Sensei's grandfather, and operated a dojo that had a plaque above the door which read: "Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu".
This was the first style that Takamatsu Sensei learned from Toda Sensei.
A list of rules that was written into the Densho:
1. Know that endurance is simply a puff of smoke.
2. Know that the way of men is justice.
3. Forget the heart of greed, ease and relying on others.
4. One should regard both sadness and malice as natural laws, and just gain
the enlightenment of an unshakeable heart.
5. In your heart, never leave the ways of loyalty and filial piety, and aspire
greatly for the ways of the pen and the sword.
Observing the 5 rules above is the law of the dojo.
Written at New Year, Meiji 23 (1891)
Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Headmasters of Shinden Fudo Ryu
Ikai
Hogenbo, Tesshin
Sakabe, Tendo
1.Izumo, Kanja Yoshiteru (Kumano) -Yeikyu era (1113)
2.Minamoto, Hachiman Tamenari -Genyei era (1118)
3.Minamoto, Hachiro Tameyoshi - Hogen era (1156)
4.Mizuhara, Kuro Yoshinari -Genkyu era (1204)
5.Mugaibo, Shinnen -Tempuku era (1233)
6.Ohkuni, Zenhachiro Yoshinobu -Bunyie era (1264)
7.Hata, Saburo Sasukeyasu
8.Kotani, Yuhachiro Nobuchika -Geboko era (1321 or 1331)
9.Kaneko, Jinsuke Yoshikiyo -Shohei era (1346)
10.Tajima, Genkoro Nariyoshi -Genchu era (1384)
11.Kammon, Kokanja Yoshikane -Shocho era (1428)
12.Kimura, Hozen -Kwancho era (1460)
13.Ibuki, Yoshihaha -Bummei era (1469)
14.Otsuka, Hakushi Nyudo Tadamori -Yeisho era (1504)
15.Otsuka, Daikuro Tadahide -Taiyei era (1522)
16.Abe, Muga -Tensho era (1573)
17.Koga, Taro Kyokokaku -Tensho era (1573)
18.Katayama, Hokinokami Mori Hisayasu -Bunroku era (1592)
19.Shindo, Unsai - Kwanyei era (1624-1644)
20.Odagiri, Tohyoe Yoshihiso - Kwanyei era (1624-1644)
21.Iida, Jubee Tameyoshi -Meiwa era (1764)
22.Mori, Genroku Masahide -Bunkwa era (1804)
23.Toyota, Jubei Mitsuyoshi -Keiyo era (1865)
24.Toda, Shinryuken Masamitsu (Kobe) -Meiji era (1824 - 1909)
25.Takamatsu, Toshitsugu (Nara) -Taisho era (1909) (b.1888 - d.1972)
26.Hatsumi, Masaaki (Noda) - Showa era (1968) b.1931 - )
The second ninjutsu ryu in the Bujinkan system was founded by Sasaki Goemon Teruyoshi in the mid 1500. Not much is known of this ryu except that it is an Iga ninja school and concentrated more on the espionage side of ninjutsu, rather than the fighting side.
It is also known for its use of sutemi (sacrifice) throws.
It is thought that the Koto Ryu came from China via Korea, brought by Chan Busho, a Chinese warrior, in the form similar to koshijutsu. Yet it would be many hundreds of years before the style was shaped into Koto Ryu koppojutsu. The exact origin of the style is not known, but the techniques of this Ryu were organized and formulated into a proper Ryuha by Sakagami Taro Kunishige in 1542. He was also a Soke of Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu. The two systems share many similarities, including the Sanpo Gassho (Gassho Kuji Kiri in Gyokko Ryu).
There were a large amount of ninja, and some samurai, who were trained in the methods of the Koto Ryu. Momochi Sandayu is one of the most famous of all ninja (after Hattori Hanzo), and he taught ninjutsu to Ishikawa Goemon, the infamous ninja who spent most of his life as a criminal. Momochi always denied that Goemon was a member/ex-member of his school. Goemon was thought to have attempted an assasination on Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but this was in fact attempted by Hideyoshi's general, Akechi. Goemon, the 'ninja Robin Hood', was eventually caught and boiled to death in a cauldron of oil. Some historians, including Toshitsugu Takamatsu, believe that he was not caught, and the Shogunate was too shamed to admit it. In some cases, history handed down through generations can be more reliable that the written word.
Koto Ryu contains one of the complete Kyusho (pressure point) scrolls of our Budo Taijutsu system-- the other coming from the Takagi Yoshin Ryu.
Koto Ryu had a unique and unorthodox method of kenjutsu, handling the sword in a way that gave the observer the impression that the swordsman was unskilled, changing the gripping method and stance at will. They also have a kamae, unique to the Koto Ryu, called 'Mangetsu no Kamae', in which the sword is held above the head and the blade is used to reflect sunlight into the eyes of the opponent. Alternately, if it was raining, the blood groove (hi) was used to catch the rain water, which was then flicked at the eyes of the enemy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lineage of Koto Ryu
1. Sakagami, Taro Kunishige -Tembun era (1532)
2. Sakagami, (Bando) Minamoto Masahide -Tembun era (1532)
3. Sogyokkan, Ritsushi -Tembun era (1532)
4. Toda, Sakyo Ishinsai -Tembun era (1532)
5. Momochi, Sandayu I -Tembun era (1532) (died 1581)
6. Momochi, Sandayu II -Tensho era (1573)
7. Momochi, Tanba Yasumitsu -Bunroku era (1595)
8. Momochi, Taro Saemon -Genna era (1615)
9. Toda, Seiryu Nobutsuna -Kwanyei era (1624)
10. Toda, Fudo Nobuchika -Manji era (1658)
11. Toda, Kangoro Nobuyasu -Tenna era (1681)
12. Toda, Eisaburo Nobumasa -Hoyei era (1704)
13. Toda, Shingoro Masayoshi -Shotoku era (1711)
14. Toda, Daigoro Masayoshi -Gembun era(1736)
15. Toda, Daisaburo Chikashige -Bunkwa era (1804)
16. Toda, Shinryuken Masamitsu (Kobe) 1824-1908
17. Takamatsu, Toshitsugu Uoh (Nara) Taisho (1909) 1887-1972
18. Hatsumi, Masaaki (Noda) Showa (1968) 1931-
Founded in the 17th Century, Takagi Yoshin Ryu is one of Japan's classical martial traditions (Koryu Bujutsu). The founder of the system was Takagi Oriemon Shigenobu, a young samurai from the Tohoku-Shiroishi Han in Oku (a northern part of Japan). Born of high warrior caste stock, Takagi was the second son of Inatobi Sanzaemon. Inatobi Sanzaemon was a high level retainer of Katayama Kojuro, the Daimyo of the Oshu Sendai, Shiraishi domain. Takagi was born 2nd January, in the 2nd year of Kan'ei (1625) although some say the 12th year of Kan'ei (1635). Takagi's childhood name was Umon.
Takagi left for the neighboring domains of Ushu and Hitachi, and entered the martial gate of one Muto Danuemon, a high level strategist of warlord Yoshihide. As Muto Danuemon's pupil, Takagi learned Muto-Ryu Kodachi and Kyochi Ryu Sojutsu, pursuing the techniques and secrets of these schools to their highest levels. Takagi's father Sanzaemon, who at that time served as Kenjutsu Shinan-Yaku or master sword teacher of the Shiraishi domain, met his bloody death in a night ambush. When Takagi received news of his father's death, he remembered his father's constant admonition, "a willow (yoboku) is strong and flexible, while a tall tree (takagi) will break". Takagi took this teaching to heart, trained hard, and avenged his father's murder. He then took the name Yoshin Ryu Takagi Oriemon Shigenobu.
Following this, in the 12th year of Seiho (1645), Takagi received instruction from an inhabitant of Oshu, one Ito Kii no Kami. Takagi studied hard, mastering the techniques of the Yari, Naginata, Shuriken and Taijutsu. Now an accomplished master of the bujutsu, Takagi took up service as the master sword teacher of the Shiraishi domain. He founded his own school of bujutsu, calling it Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu. Takagi-sensei passed away in the first year of Seitoku (1711) at the age of 87. His grave is found in Fukagaya, Karita-Gun, Miyagi prefecture, amongst the fields.
The second generation Soke (grandmaster) Takagi Umanosuke received the teachings of Takagi Oriemon in 1671 at the age of 16. Due to inheriting the system at such a young age, Umanosuke was arrogant, although he was very powerful with unarmed and armed combat with weapons like the staff.
At one time Umanosuke and 3rd Soke of Takeuchi Ryu, Takeuchi Kagasuke Hisakichi, fought a duel before Lord Mori Sadahisa, head of the Mori family. Comparing both of their physical characteristics, Takeuchi Hisakichi stood at 4 foot 8 inches, while Takagi Umanosuke was a giant 6 foot 8 inches towering over Takeuchi like an adult and child. Two matches were held in which Takeuchi Hisakichi won easily. During each match, Umanosuke was thrown with Takeuchi Ryu's "Ganseki Otoshi", and when he tried to get up, was locked on the ground and tied up with a cord. However, Umanosuke was so powerful that he merely flexed his huge muscles, and the normally strong arresting cord snapped immediately. He was finally defeated by being stabbed with a sword. Umanosuke saw his own arrogance in this and felt deeply ashamed. He went to Takeuchi Hisakichi to apologize, and became a student, eventually receiving Kaiden. While in his younger days, Umanosuke had a tendency of using his physical strength, as an old man he realized the limitations of a system reliant on physical strength. Following this he tried for several years to create such an art but failed. After this, He traveled to a shrine for 100 days, and claimed to have received a divine revelation: "a willows branches can bear the snow".
Following this, Umanosuke further developed the art, mastering mental disciplines and concepts to form a system that defeated the opponent with a "Willow Heart" (Yo no Shin), calling the system Hontai Yoshin Ryu Takagi Ryu Jujutsu. In 1693, he was bestowed with a title that recognized him as a teacher and warrior of the finest caliber by the Kinei family. He died in April 1716 at the age of 61.
To this day it is recorded in Himeji castle that the 3th Soke, Takagi Gennoshin Hideshige, served Himeji domain with the salary of 500 Koku. Gennoshin, like his father Umanosuke, was a powerful man. Gennoshin met the future 4th Soke (Kukishin Ryu's Okuni Kihei Shigenobu), and they tested their techniques against each other, with Gennoshin winning the unarmed side, and Okuni Kihei winning the staff side. The two decided to exchange techniques in the both systems, taking on the strong points of both to complete the arts. Gennoshin died in the 15th year of Genroku at the age of 32.
A resident of Izumo, Okuni Kihei (born in 1684) became the 4th Soke. Kihei was the 29th generation of Kukishin Ryu. Kihei met Takagi Gennoshin and both decided to test their skills in a friendly competition. They were both very good friends, and exchanged techniques, both taking on parts of the other's arts. It was decided that Gennoshin's taijutsu was the better, while Kihei's Kukishin Ryu staff fighting was superior to Gennoshin's. Gennoshin invited Kihei to stay at his dojo and instruct, and, from that time forward, the taijutsu of Takagi Yoshin Ryu and the bojutsu, sojutsu, and naginatajutsu of Kukishin Ryu were taught together as one system. There is, however, a record called Kishomon-Maegaki (a transcription in the Edo period) preserved by the Kuki family, on which the name of Takagi Oriuemon Shigemitsu and his signature is written dated February 2, 1602. There exist other documents which suggest that Takagi Oriuemon was given a "scroll concerning martial arts" from Kukishin Ryu on March 7, 1617. Which suggests the relations of the two schools had started from the time Takagi Ryu was established, rather than from the generation of Okuni Kihei.
5th generation Okuni Yakuro was the son of Kihei. His birth and death is unknown.
6th Soke Okuni Tarodayu Tadanobu was the son of Yakuro. His birth and death is unknown.
7th Soke Okuni Kihyoe was the son of Tarodayu, although his birth and death is unknown.
8th Soke, Okuni Yozaemon was the son of Kihyoe. His birth and death is unknown.
9th Soke, Nakayama Jinnai was student of Okuni Kyozaemon, and served the Ako domain until the collapse of the Tokugawa period. His birth and death is unknown.
Okuni Takezaemon was the 10th soke, and son of 8th Soke Yozaemon. His birth and death is unknown.
Nakayama Kauemon was the 11th soke, and son of Nakayama Jinnai. His birth and death is unknown.
Okuni Kamaji was the 12th soke, and son of 10th soke Okuni Takezaemon. He was the last successor of the Okuni family. His birth and death is unknown.
Yagi Ikugoro was the 13th grandmaster (1844), and a pupil of 11th Soke, Nakayama Kauemon. Banished of the Ako domain following his involvement with political rebels Watanabe Kazan, Takano Choei and others, he became ronin. He later moved to Akashi to open a dojo. According to one story, Yagi was so powerful that he stopped an attacking dog that was troubling some travelers, killing it with a small wooden skewer. His students at Akashi were Fujita Togoro Hisakichi, Ishibashi, and Ishiya Takeo, who each went on to establish their own lines of Takagi Yoshin Ryu which became Fujita-den (the branch that is taught in the Missouri Budo Taijutsu Dojo), and two other branches: Ishibashi-den and Ishiya-den. This caused the tradition to be taught on a hugely larger scale. Yagi's birth and death is unknown.
The 14th Soke was Fujita Fujigoro. The branch of Takagi Yoshin Ryu transmitted by him is called Fujita-den.
The 15th Soke was Mizuta Yoshitaro. The branch of Takagi Yoshin Ryu we study is sometimes called "Mizuta-den".
The 16th Soke Toshitsugu Takamatsu (1887-1972) received the school in August of 1908.
The 17th Soke Masaaki Hatsumi (1931- ) received the school in May of 1959.
The style has been called many things throughout its history, including Jutaijutsu, Jujutsu, and Dakentaijutsu. It has been heavily influenced by Takenouchi Ryu Jujutsu, and Kukishin Ryu. When applied, the techniques of Takagi Yoshin Ryu go farther than those of Judo or Aikido, making it impossible to roll or breakfall. The throws are intended to break the shoulder or neck of the opponent.
There are seven levels of Takagi Yoshin Ryu:
Shoden no Kata- 14 techniques
Chuden no Sabaki Gata - 10 techniques
Chuden no Tai no Gata - 15 techniques
Okuden no Kata - 15 techniques
Eri Shime Gata - 8 techniques
Moguri Gata - 11 techniques
Daisho Sabaki Gata - 14 technique
This ryu was originally founded by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo in the mid 1500 and specializes in koppojutsu or bone-breaking techniques. This style is known for its low stances, with much of the footwork within the Bujinkan system coming from this ryu.
The third of the ninja ryus, it uses similar taijutsu as Togakure Ryu, and is also known for double blocks and strikes. This ryu originated with Heinaizaemon Ienaga Iga in the mid 1500. 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.
Lineage of Kumogakure Ryu
Iga Heinaizaemon No Jo Ienaga 1532-1554
Toda Sagenta Nobufusa
Toda Gohei Nobunaga
Toda Noriyoshi
Toda Seiryu Nobutsuna 1624-1644
Toda Fudo Nobuchika 1658-1681
Toda Kangoro Nobuyasu 1681-1704
Toda Eisaburo Nobumasa 1704-1711
Toda Shingoro Masayoshi 1736-1764
Toda Daigoro Chikahide 1764-1804
Toda Daisaburo Chikashige 1804-1818
Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu b. 1824-d. 1909
Tamakatsu Toshitsugu Uoh b. 1887-d. 1972
Hatsumi Masaaki 1972-present
The Bay Area Bujinkan is conveniently located at:
1122 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA 94103