Bujinkan Mizu Nagare Dojo

History of Kukishinden Ryu

 Webmaster's note: I do not recall the source of this article. It is however, one of the most complete that I have found. Like all the other historical articles on this site, there is no guarantee as to it's accuracy. I will say that it does not conflict with anything else I have researched and provides a lot of good historical context for the training in Kukishinden Ryu. If anyone reads this and knows who wrote the article, feel free to email me at ethan@bujinkandojo.com . Also, I have edited this article for redundancy, content irrelevant to the purposes of this website, and spelling.

The history of the Kukishinden Ryu just like the Kukishin Ryu goes back to the early 1300's. It's originates directly from the Chosui Ryu Dakentaijutsu (Kijin Chosui Ryu Kukishinden Dakentaijutsu). The Chosui Ryu was first formulated by Otomo Furumaro who studied under Ganjin who arrived in Japan from China around 749 - 759. From Otomo's grandson Nimoro Yoshihide. Nawa Shinzaburo Motonaga revived the ancient teachings of this ryu that were almost lost, and as such became the first Soke of the Chosui Ryu. 3^rd Soke of the Chosui Ryu Ohkuni Kihei Kiyosumi (a son of either Ohkuni Onifujita or Ohkuni Onigenta guards of Go-Daigo) renamed it Kishin (kijin) Chosui Ryu. Kiyosumi worked with Nawa Hoki no Kami Kencho, Shuri no Suke Kiyoshi and Kojiro Nagato no Kami. These men were vassals of the Kikuchi clan. Ohkuni Kiyosumi was given the title Eichizen no Kami. 11^th Soke of Kishin Chosui Ryu Urabe Kanesada also studied a form of Chinese Kenpo from a Chinese warrior who fled China's Tang dynasty, escaping to Japan. Urabe taught this Kenpo to Sonjin shi Yoshihide who in turn added this to the Chosui Ryu and it became known as Dakentaijutsu. In 1349, Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru, named after his home town of Izumo, is credited as founder of both the Kukishinden Ryu, and Shinden Fudo Ryu). In 1349, studied the Chosui Ryu, and called it the Kyokushin Ryu Dakentaijutsu.

According to the Kukishinden Ryu history, the large halberd known as Bisento was brought to Japan, from China, by a warrior called Tetsujo. What occurs now is a conflict in historical dates. Soke lists date Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru as being alive in 1339. The legend of the Bisento states - Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru was defeated by Fujiwara no Tadamichi, chief adviser to the emperors Toba and Go-Shirakawa (1108 - 1156). Having lost in battle he escaped to a cave in Izumo (where he gets his name from). Here he met a Chinese Tang master Tetsujoso (Tie Zhang Seng). He was taught the use of the Bisento by Tetsujoso in the Totori province.

The Bisento (eyebrow blade) is extremely heavy and therefore calls for smooth supple movement of the body, use skilful movement (Sabaki) of the body. This 'Bisento', is similar in shape to the naginata. The difference between the two is that it is much heavier, and a lot larger, with the blade reaching up to 3ft (1m) in length. Because of its length, and weight, it made it simpler to knock it down and opponent, and smash through any armor that was being worn, it is also used to take horses down in the battlefield. Due to its size, normal Taijutsu is not enough to wield the Bisento. Body turns, and more footwork are needed to aid the use of this weapon. It is used to ram, and bludgeon rather than cut and slash like the naginata.

There are only nine kata for the Bisento, and they appear to be more of training forms than fighting forms which the naginata kata resemble. It is possible that the Bisento kata are used for use in much the same way a runner puts weights on his ankles when he trains. The weights are removed and the lightness makes him run that little bit faster. May be the Bisento is the extra weight, so the naginata is so much lighter in the hands when used, and will flow with exceptional speed when used.

The hanbo was introduced as the result of two different events. The first takes place in Kyoto, during January 1338 (Engen 3), when Ohkuni Taro Takehide, a vassal of emperor Go-Daigo and Yuki Takamitsu fought against Yashiro Kennomori Ujisato of Batsugun, a Samurai vassal in the army of Ashikaga Takauji. Ujisato carried a Sanshaku Hasun tachi (1.05m). He is supposed to have had the power to knock down a tree. Ohkuni carried a yari which when he struck at Ujisato with it Ujisato cut it in half, losing the bladed end of the yari. Ohkuni used the section of the yari he still held and a technique called 'Rai'un' (thunder cloud), jumped at Ujisato, the lacquered shaft reflected the sun into Ujisato's eye's blinding him, as such giving Ohkuni the advantage and he beat him with it. Ohkuni then drew his tanto and cut Ujisato's throat, killing him.

The second story takes place May 4, 1575, when a Samurai in the service of Maeda Toshiie, fighting for Oda Nobunaga, a Kuriyama Ukongen Nagafusa (9th Soke of Kukishinden Ryu Happo Biken, 9th Soke Kukishinden Tenshin Hyoho, and 10th Tenshin Soden Kukamishin Ryu ), fought against Suzuki Tango no Kami Katsuhisa of the Kurama Ryu, a vassal of Takeda. Suzuki used a type of tachi known as a Sanshaku Gosun tachi (3 shaku 5 sun, approximately 3ft 5in - 96.2cm in length), Kuriyama and Suzuki were both on horseback. Kuriyama used a red Oak octagonal rokushaku bo. Suzuki cut the bo in half at the center, but as he raised his tachi to Daijodan no Kamae, Kuriyama hit at Suzuki's hands. This caused Suzuki to drop his tachi. A retainer of Suzuki's who was near by (a common practice at that time was for senior ranks to be followed into battle by a number of personal retainers who may not have been of Samurai rank, but who carried his extra weapons and came to his aid if required) passed him a yari which he used to strike at Kuriyama. Kuriyama moved to the side, and he struck Suzuki on the head with the halved bo (hanbo) which caused him to fall from his horse bleeding from his head. 

The 11^th Soke Ohkuni Yukihisa of the Kukishinden Ryu is accredited with being the originator of Kukishinden Ryu Jojutsu. He achieved this by using his skills in Kukishin Ryu bojutsu, hanbojutsu, and kenpo.

From the rokushakubojutsu the jo and hanbo were created. From the hanbo, kenjutsu and juttejutsu were created. Sojutsu and naginatajutsu were also created from the rokushaku bo. Traditionally the jo is not an offensive weapon. The kata are a combination of bo and kenjutsu kata.

Already mentioned in the Kukishin Ryu history, in the 17^th century the 13^th Soke of the Kukishinden Ryu, Ohkuni Kihei Shigenobu from Izumo, holder of the menkyo kaiden in the Kukishin Ryu and also the Chosui Ryu Dakentaijutsu Soke (a.k.a. Kishin Chosui Ryu Kukishinden Dakentaijutsu). He taught the Kukishin Ryu to the Takagi Yoshin Ryu. In return the Takagi Yoshin Ryu  exchanged with the Ohkuni some of its bojutsu, naginata, and shuriken techniques. Ohkuni was to become the 4^th Soke of the Takagi Yoshin Ryu after the death of his friend Takagi Gennoshin, the 3^rd Soke of Takagi Yoshin Ryu. For a short period these schools were taught by Ohkuni, but before his death Ohkuni split the schools. The Kukishin Ryu he called Hon Tai Kukishin Ryu bojutsu and later became Kukishinden Ryu (with Chosui Ryu Dakentaijutsu, a.k.a. Kishin Chosui Ryu Kukishinden Dakentaijutsu, a branch of the Kishin Chosui Ryu, for it’s Taijutsu), and the Takagi Yoshin Ryu and Chosui Ryu went in another direction (the Takagi Yoshin Ryu had also the Kukishin Ryu bojutsu passed with it).

Okuni Onihei was connected to Kuma no Shugenja which connects back to Kuki Takanao who was one of the heads of the Kuki family.

Ohkuni was the student of Kuki Sadataka the 11^th Soke of the Kukishin Ryu, and it is possibly from Ohkuni that the Kukishinden Ryu really comes into existence. Ohkuni was the 29^th Dai (Soke) of Chosui Ryu (Foundered by Nawa Motonaga). This was redeveloped by Urabe Sukune Kanesada, and Ohkuni was the 18^th Dai (Soke) after him in the Chosui Ryu. Ohkuni was also the student of Tetsuhei Masataka, the 17^th Dai of the Chosui Ryu.

Ohkuni Kihei Shigenobu was also a master with the naginata. He always wanted to become better with the naginata. One night after practice he fell asleep, and dreamt that he was attacked by a demon. He used his Naginata to fight the Demon, but the shaft broke in two, and was used as a bo. From this he learnt a lesson that the naginata alone was not a superior weapon.

Ohkuni himself was from Izumo, and the 29^th Dai of the Chosui Ryu. The Chosui Ryu was reformulated by Urabe Sukune Kanesada, and Ohkuni is listed as the 18^th Dai after him. At some later stage in his life Ohkuni became a Shugenja in Kumano (Kii prefecture). This is before his meeting with Takagi Gennoshin Hideshige.

Okuni Onihei was connected to Kuma no Shugenja which in turn connects back to Kuki Takanao who was one of the heads of the Kuki family 

Ohkuni seems to have been a very highly skilled martial artist. Ohkuni was the student of both Kuki Nagato and Kuki Sadataka, the 10^th and 11^th Soke of the Kukishin Ryu, and it is possibly from Ohkuni that the Kukishinden Ryu really comes into existence. Ohkuni was the 29^th Dai (Soke) of Chosui Ryu (Founded by Nawa Motonaga holder of the Amatsu Tuatara). Urabe Sukune Kanesada redeveloped this, and Ohkuni was the 18^th Dai (Soke) after him in the Chosui Ryu. Ohkuni was also the student of Tetsuhei Masataka, the 17^th Dai of the Chosui Ryu.

In the Bujinkan Dojo there is a form of fighting that is rarely spoken about. One reason being is that very few of the instructors have any knowledge let alone any skill in it. This fighting form is the Shinken Gata, which comes from the Tora no maki.

The story goes that Shinken Gata was created by a Samurai who was looking for the ultimate fighting art. He found it in more than one art.

As we know Ohkuni Shigenobu was highly skilled with the naginata of the Kukishin Ryu and through his Kukishin Ryu connection he came into contact with the 3^rd Soke of Takagi Yoshin, Takagi Hideshige. Takagi was helping the Soke of the Kukishin Ryu restructure the Taijutsu of the Kukishin Ryu. The jujutsu of Takagi Yoshin Ryu was regarded of high quality, and as such the two Soke exchanged ideas.

Through this cooperation of the two ryu-ha Ohkuni was to become the next Soke of the Takagi Yoshin Ryu upon the death of Takagi.

The Shinken Gata has 5 kamae, 3 kihon and 5 levels of training, Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, and Godan. The Kukishinden Ryu dakentaijutsu is based strongly dakentaijutsu of Chosui Ryu. It is possible that these two dakentaijutsu are the same as Ohkuni was the Chosui Ryu Soke, and the founder of the Hon Tai Kukishin Ryu bojutsu (which then changes its name to Kukishinden Ryu). As such this new ryu that he founded has its dakentaijutsu based on Chosui Ryu and its weapon arts on the Kukishin Ryu. The five levels (Shodan to Godan) are made up of all the kata from the Kukishinden Ryu dakentaijutsu and several other kata in each level from the Shinden Tatara Ryu.

 This Shinden Tatara Ryu is based on the Takagi Yoshin Ryu (with possibly some other connections to the Amatsu Tatara).

It is said that as Ohkuni was looking for the perfect fighting art he may have had difficulty in deciding between the Kukishinden Ryu and the Takagi Yoshin Ryu, and therefore created this Shinken Gata. The Kukishinden Ryu dakentaijutsu is a form of Yoroi Kumi Uchi a grappling in armor, and the Takagi Yoshin Ryu a form of jujutsu that is used indoors. All that was needed to compliment these two arts was a hard form of street fighting. With the dakentaijutsu being a form of grappling this would work perfectly in the street as many fights frequently turn to a form of rough and tumble form of grappling, the Shinken Gata could provide this.

Where to place the Shinken Gata in his schools. This may be relatively simple (may be). The Chosui Ryu and Kukishinden Ryu share the same dakentaijutsu. Therefore place it in the Takagi Yoshin Ryu. This then has the jujutsu and the Shinken Gata, and for those skilled enough the Yoroi Kumi Uchi is hidden in the Shinken Gata waiting to be used as and when needed.

The Takagi Yoshin Ryu has a scroll named 'Tora no maki', as yet I do not have access to this document, but with the connections to these ryu to one an other, it is safe at the moment to assume some connection between the scroll 'Tora no Maki', and the Shinken Gata being called 'Tora no Maki'. All that is needed now is some form of confirmation.

Ohkuni Izumo Mori Shigehiro the 19^th Soke, is believed to have been alive around the early part of the 1800's, and was for a period of time a personal bodyguard to many of the Emperors top aids. He also went by the name of 'Chotei no Kinki Eishi'. During the Ansei era (1850's) he was a guardian of the sacred precincts of the imperial palace. He was also involved in secretly harassing Samurai (Ronin) of the Sabaku faction. He was the son-in-law of Toda Eisaburo Nobumasa (marrying his Toda's daughter) 27^th Soke of Togakure Ryu.

The densho states that Ohkuni was skilled in Gyokushin Ryu, Gyokko Ryu, and Togakure Ryu, which were taught to him by Toda.

Ishitani Takeoi, the father of the famous Ishitani Matsutaro, the teacher of Takamatsu, came from Hyogo province. He was a fellow student with Fujita Hisayoshi who studied under Yagi Ikugoro, the 13^th Soke of Takagi Yoshin Ryu. In effect the Kukishinden and the Takagi Yoshin Ryu had come full circle. Ishitani, and Fujita both received the menkyo kaiden in the Takagi Yoshin Ryu (there was also someone else called Ishibashi who received menkyo kaiden). Fujita, calling his school Takagi Yoshin Ryu, and Ishitani called his "Hon Tai Takagi Yoshin Ryu", the original name of the Takagi Yoshin Ryu. After 200 years the Kukishinden Ryu (Hon Tai Kukishin Ryu), and the Takagi Yoshin Ryu had come together again.

Ishitani Matsutaro went to the battle of "Tenchigumi no Ran", met Uryu Gikan, the Soke of Gikan Ryu. Ishitani studied under him and also became the Soke of Gikan Ryu.

Ishitani Matsutaro studied under his father in the Kukishinden Ryu, Hon Tai Takagi Yoshin Ryu. He also studied under Ohkuni Shigeharu Hidemasa, 36^th Soke of the Kukishin Ryu Chosui Ha, Eba Toyotaro 14^th Soke of the Kukishinden Hyoho, and 15^th Soke of Tenshin Soden Kukamishin Ryu.

Seven generations earlier, the ancestors of the Ishitani, were Chunin (a Ninja middle ranking) advisers to the Kami-Hattori Ninja family. This was the family of Hattori Hanzo who was head of the Tokugawa Edo (Tokyo) police.

Ishitani Matsutaro worked as a security officer at the match factory in Kobe that belonged to Takamatsu's father. It was here that he met Takamatsu who was already studying the Koto Ryu, Gyokko Ryu, Shinden Fudo Ryu (now part of the Bujinkan), and many more from his Grandfather.

When Ishitani arrived at this match factory, Takamatsu was told by Toda Sensei that Ishitani was a famous martial artist. He also informed him never to challenge Ishitani to a sword fight, as the swordsmanship of the Kukishinden Ryu was much better than that of the Togakure Ryu, and if he did he should expect to be easily beaten. Takamatsu heeded his grandfather’s advice, and instead of a sword fight, he took on the much elder Ishitani in a Taijutsu contest. Twice he fought Ishitani and twice he was easily beaten. He then requested that Ishitani teach him the Kukishinden Ryu, and other arts he knew. Ishitani accepted him as a student, and with the use of a corner of the factory, and a few tatami Ishitani first taught Takamatsu  the hikenjutsu  of the Kukishinden Ryu.

There is a reason why Ishitani came to the Takamatsu family. It is simply because he was related to the Takamatsu family. He died sometime between 1908 and 1911. We believe that he was approximately 64 when he died and that he met Takamatsu when Takamatsu was 17 years old in 1904/5. Four years after meeting Takamatsu he died, so 1908/9 is the best bet for a date. One reason he may have gone to family was because of his age he was not as fit as he had been, and the Japanese are very family orientated, and he knew that they would give him a roof over his head in his final years. Not only that but it enabled him to teach a very enthusiastic young man and leave the schools he was master to a family member. Takamatsu told that Ishitani handed over the scrolls of his schools to him, informed him that he was to give a copy of the scrolls for the Takagi Yoshin Ryu (whether Ishitani or Takamatsu wrote these we don't know) to a Kakuno Hachiheita, another of his students. From Kakuno we now have the Takagi Ryu jujutsu, and the Hon Tai Yoshin Ryu jujutsu. Another of his students received the Kukishinden Hyoho. This destroys the theories that are so popular amongst many ryu-ha that their last Soke was the only student of Ishitani. Some ryu-ha list Ishitani as Ishiya. The “ya” and “tani” are the same kanji.

At the Konpon dojo Takamatsu established the 'Nihon Nobukyoku' with permission from Kuki Shishaku (a family head of the Kuki family). This was to try and rescue the Kukishin Ryu.

Following is how the Kukishin Ryu, Kukishinden Ryu, Chosui Ryu, Takagi Yoshin Ryu, and the Kito Ryu are connected:

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

The Chosui in number 5 was one of the warrior names used by Takamatsu, the 25^th Soke of the school. He took the name Chosui when he learned the Okuden level of the dakentaijutsu.

“The Kukishinden Ryu (Nine Demons Divine Transmission School) was founded during the Kamakura period (12^th Century). The founder was apparently visited in his sleep by nine demons, during nine consecutive nights. It is said that the demons instructed him in the secret techniques that became the foundation of the ryu. In later years the Kuki family was tasked with protecting the coastal waters of their home region in Kumano and extracted a “toll” from passing ships to support that patriotic duty.”

                        Quote from Peter King

THE IRON SHIPS OF THE KUKI SUIGUN

The Second Battle of Kizugawaguchi, 1578

“Japanese warships of the Sengoku Period were clumsy and primitive compared to contemporary European vessels. In this picture we see one of Oda Nobunaga’s specially commissioned, extra-large oadake-bune ships, built for him by his admiral Kuki Yoshitaka. It is taking on a standard-sized oadake-bune of the Môri Navy, which kept open the supply lines for Nobunaga’s hated enemies, the Buddhist fanatics of the Ikkô-ikki. The ships resemble two floating yagura, or wooden castles. The whole surface, called the tate ita, was covered with planking 6-10 centimeters thick. Along the four sides loopholes were cut for guns and bows, leaving no dead space that was not covered by defensive fire. As well as the advantage given by their extra size, the Oda ships were also reinforced in some way with iron. It is unlikely that they were covered with iron sheets, which would have made them ‘ironclad battleships’, though a certain priest saw the ships as they put to sea, and describes these magnificent vessels as ‘iron-ships’. A European visitor was very impressed by their firepower. Kuki Yoshitaka had a chance to test them when he encountered a pirate fleet as he rounded the coast of the Kii peninsula. The pirates opened fire, but were soon dispersed. He then sailed the six iron ships into Osaka bay, escorted by smaller vessels.

At this second Battle of Kizugawaguchi the Môri fleet was outclassed. Nobunaga’s battleships took the fight to them, and had the satisfaction of seeing arrows and musket-balls bouncing off their ships. His engagement developed into hand-to-hand fighting as the ships came alongside and boarding-parties fought each other. Several Môri vessels were burned or sunk, but one of Nobunaga’s iron ships was lost when it was boarded and simply capsized, showing one fundamental disadvantage of the style.”

                        From Samurai Warfare by Dr. Stephen Turnbull

KUKISHINDEN RYU HAPPO BIKEN

The founder was a guard of the Tenno Go-Daigo (Emperor) called Yasushimaru Kurabito Takamasa. Because of his excellent contribution as a guard Yashushimaru was later awarded the Kuki family name. In addition to eight techniques such as bojutsu, yari, naginata, shuriken, Taijutsu this ryu also uses kenpo (sword). It excels especially in its use of the sword. At the time, as it was an era of civil wars, sword was mainly used to kill, but as time changes and it became more peaceful, sword switched its function to protect good, and punish the bad. Because the Kuki Suigun (navy) used swords on ships, the lowered Posture that gave better balance became the basic way of sword of this ryu.

From a translation of the book 'Hiden Ninja Submission' by Hatsumi Masaaki.

There are many different branches of the Kukishin Ryu, and the Kukishinden Ryu. Some are as follows:

·         Kukishin Ryu Bujutsu

·         Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu

·         Kukishinden Hyoho

·         Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu

·         Hon Tai Kukishin Ryu

·         Hon Tai Kukishin Chosui Ryu

·         Hon Tai Kishin Chosui Ryu

·         Tatara Shinden Ryu

·         Shinden Tatara Ryu

·         Nakatomi Hyoho

·         Tenshin Hyoho Kukishin Ryu

The Kukishinden Hyoho is headed by Takatsuka, both the Kukishinden Hyoho and Kukishinden Happo Biken (Bujinkan) have two previous Soke who seem to appear in each others lineage, these being Kuriyama Ukon and Arima Kochinosuke. In their respective schools they are listed as the following:

Kukishinden Ryu Happo Biken

·         9^th Soke Kuriyama Ukongen Nagafusa

·         10^th Soke Arima Kochinosuke Masayoshi

Kukishinden Hyoho

·         8^th Soke Arima Kawachinosuke Masayoshi

·         9^th Soke Kuriyama Ukon Chobo

Two things that are apparent is the slight difference in names. This is not unusual with Japanese names. One reason being there are sometimes differences in translation. One character may have several different pronunciations, such as in Masa in Masaaki also is Yoshi in Yoshiaki (both of which names Hatsumi has used). Takamatsu also changed his childhood name, 'Hisatsugu' to Toshitsugu. The “hisa” and “toshi” are the same kanji. Another being the person chose to change their name sometime during their life, but one is recorded in each school, mainly the one in use at their time with the school.

The other thing that is noticeable is that these two persons are the other way around in each school. The fact that they have different places in the lineage means nothing, but it may signify that they were a part of both lineages’ more than we will unfortunately never discover. They may have passed the lineage to each other prior to battle to ensure that both schools survived in the event of the death of one of them. Therefore one will follow the other in each other’s respective school.

In Himeji, there are currently two living masters of Kukishin Ryu, they are Tanaka Fumon, of the Minaki Den Kukishin Ryu bojutsu, and Takatsuka Sensei, of the Kukishinden Hyoho.

Tanaka Fumon claims that his ryu-ha is from Iwami Nangaku. But Takatsuka does not recognize this, or Tanaka as a Soke of any Kukishin Ryu, and says that Tanaka may not be totally genuine. It is possible that Tanaka may not be totally genuine, as he received his Soke title from the previous Soke who was Soke for one day.

We have Takamatsu as the 27^th Soke of the Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu, it has also been said that Takamatsu fell out with his friend Iwami Nangaku who was also a Kukishinden Soke. This Kukishinden of Iwami’s is not to be mixed up with the Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu belonging to Takamatsu (and now Hatsumi). This Kukishinden Tenshin Hyoho was transmitted from Ishitani Matsutaro to Iwami Nangaku. This was most probable done at the same time as Takamatsu received his menkyo from Ishitani.

As I have just mentioned it is believed that Takamatsu and Iwami Nangaku had some professional differences. These differences are now thought to be that Ishitani gave Takamatsu the 27^th Sokeship for the Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu to Takamatsu, and nothing to Iwami. Iwami received the 16^th Sokeship of Kukishinden Hyoho and the 17^th Sokeship of Tenshin Soden Kukamishin Ryu.

The Kukishinden Ryu is known as Happo Bikenjutsu, The 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. It is important that the Taijutsu is mastered before the jutte can be used effectively.

The Kukishin appears to have been the favorite of all of the schools that Takamatsu studied. As such he seems also to have passed menkyo the most out in this ryu-ha. One that has not yet been mentioned is Tenshin Hyoho Kukamishin Ryu, which again is another branch of Kukishin Ryu. This ryu-ha is also pronounced “Tenshin Hyoho Kukishin Ryu”. This ryu-ha was passed to one of his first students, Kimura Masaji) Seiji who started his tuition under Takamatsu when he was 17 years old.

Also in the Kukishinden Ryu is Taoko No Jutsu. This is the ability to overcome an opponent from a distance.

The Daisharin is in fact a wheel, and axle used for the launching of ships or boats into the sea. It is constructed from a long pole, approximately approx. 10 foot (3.4 meter) in length, with the wheels 2 foot in diameter and 3 inch (7.5cm) thick circular pieces of wood, This is used in the same category as the rokushaku bo. It was in everyday life the axle mount for the base of a ship prior to launch, or when it was retrieved from the water’s edge, so that it could be brought to dry land. The whole assembly can be rolled along the ground knock people over, or one end can be rolled, while the other end is held. As the Kukishin Ryu was from the coastal area of Kumano, and members were involved in activities relating to the sea, it was a weapon that was permanently at hand, for the skilled warrior.

The hanbojutsu in the Kukishinden Ryu is also found in the Shinden Amatsu Tatara Ryu hanbojutsu another part of the Kukishin Ryu, which is also based on the Amatsu Tatara Kangi Den. This hanbo uses 3 kamae, Kata Yaburi no Kamae, Munen Muso no Kamae, and Otonashi no Kamae. These go by the collective name Sanshi Den, Sanshin no Kamae, and Sanso no Kata. In the Kukishinden Ryu, Takamatsu Toshitsugu called these three kamae “Sanshin no Kamae”.

A student of Takamatsu, Kiba Koshiro, wrote a book on Kukishin Ryu. This is titled Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu Narabi ni Judo.

The Kusarigama was developed from the kaginawa (hook, and rope). The kaginawa was used by a pirate called Kuroda Saneyuki, who was originally from Kishu. This is possible from the Kuki Suigun another Kuki related ryu-ha founded by Kuki Moriyori (1542 - 1600).

Fujiwara no Kurodo Saneyuki was active as a pirate near Shima and Kishu. History states he used a kaginawa for boarding or towing ships. It is from this simple hook and rope that the kusarigama no jutsu in the Kukishin Ryu originates.

The Kukishinden Ryu, and the Kukishin Ryu yari waza (sojutsu) and bo waza (Bojutsu), come from the Amatsu Tatara makimono. They were used for many centuries, but it was Takamatsu Toshitsugu who finally introduced them officially into the Kukishinden Ryu, and the Kukishin Ryu. The sojutsu uses three different kiai. These are YAAH, AAH, and TOH.

Send mail to ethan@bujinkandojo.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified:9/8/2008

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