Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu - Daisuke Nishina, being on the losing side of a 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 (Kain) 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. Hatsumsi-soke is the 34th Grandmaster of this school.
Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu - The first Soke of the Kumogakure Ryu was Heinaizaemon Ienaga Iga (1532-1534), who was also a prominent member of the Iga Ryu Ninja Family. One of the special weapons of this ryu is the Kamayari or hook spear designed for climbing up the sides of ships, but was also effective against swordsmen. Another speciality of this ryu is the use of the Demon mask, which was sometimes worn by the members of this ryu to frighten samurai or peasants. One of Kumogakure secrets of its taijutsu is its jumping techniques. An example of this is a story of Takamatsu Sensei, who, while in China fought a Shorinji Kempo fighter. As the man attacked, Takamatsu Sensei would jump repeatedly away from him, sometimes upto eight feet.
Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu - The first soke of this school was called Sasaki Goemon. It is beleived that he originally studied the Gyokko Ryu. It is not widely known in the West what the fighting techniques of the Gyokushin Ryu are, though it is said that the techniques revolve around the use of espionage rather than fighting. However, one known area of this Ryu is the use of sutemi (sacrifice) throws.
Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu - This ryu is Chinese in origin, as evident in the San Shin no Kata. During the Chinese Tang Dynasty, Cho Gyokko left China and arrived in Japan and brought with him the beginnings of the Gyokko Ryu. This particular school is practiced heavily in the Bujinkan, as it is where we derive our basics from (Kihon Happo, or 8 Basic Techniques, and the San Shin no Kata, or 3 Hearts Exercise). It is also known for its very quick and powerful koshijutsu techniques, which offer superb control and painful variations.
Koto Ryu Koppojutsu - The oral teachings of the Koto Ryu say that this art came from China, via Korea by Chang Busho, a Chinese Warrior. This ryu was passed through many generations until the first Soke, Sakagami Taro became grandmaster in Japan.
The school passed to Sogyokkan Ritsushi, who at the time was also a soke of the Gyokko Ryu and thus brought the two schools together. The Koto Ryu has a unique form of swordsmanship, the secret being that the Koto Ryu members would change the footwork and the hand positions of the sword, at will to give the illusion of being novice swordsmen.
Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu - This school focuses on the use of nature as a principle in fighting. The ryu is derived from Shaloin Boxing, and uses very swift strikes and throws. There are six teachings in the school:
1. You must know that patience is only a moment.
2. You must know the way that you walk is the way of Righteousness.
3. Forget the big desires, easiness and selfishness.
4. Sorrow and truth (feelings of revenge) are the rules of Nature.
5. Obtain peace in your heart by the understanding of immovable heart (Fudoshin). Thinking that sorrow and truth are the feelings of revenge.
6. Concentrate into, (or train into) faithfulness. Be obedient and honour your parents, and make your way by studying the way of the bushi.
Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu - This particular school specialised in jutaijutsu (grappling) but also taught punching, kicking and various weaponry, including the jutte. The secret of the Takagi Yoshi Ryu is that it takes its techniques further than those of Judo or Aikido. When the techniques are applied, it is almost impossible for an opponent to escape or roll away. Throws are often done by going to one knee, or tying up and opponent's leg or legs with one's own, in order to bring an opponent down. Often techniques often use two against one in order to subdue an opponent. This ryu was utilized by bodyguards and policemen of its time, and is known for its daishosabaki gata and muto dori techniques.
Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu - This school was founded by Uryu Gikanbo who was the Daimyo (warlord) of Kawa Chi No Kuni Province, and it was said that Gikanbo's punch was so powerful that he once broke a sword in half. However, not much of this ryu has been demonstrated outside of Japan. It is said the kamae (postures) are very hard to learn, and that a practitioner's balance is off if not done precisely.
Kukishinden Ryu Happo Biken Jutsu - The Kukishinden was developed in the Kumano Province, by the Kuki family (Kuki means "One who fights like nine demons".) Used a lot by Japanese pirates, the ryu utilizes low postures and also focused on Bojutsu, Naginatajutsu, Kenjutsu, and many other weapons used in Bujinkan training. Kukishinden Ryu is a true battlefield art.
