THE MARTIAL ARTS
Kihon Sei-i - Basic Curriculum
Our Martial Art is physically and mentally demanding. Modern society is disconnected from nature, and therefore its subjects become disconnected from their bodies. The basic curriculum is comprised of techniques from the various Arts that we practice, and will help the practitioner to regain a connection to her or his body. Training will involve a restructuring of the body's stature and motor habits, and will help to develop a strong and flexible core, dynamic movements, improved reactions, and calmer state of mind. As such, by learning the potential of your capacities for movement, you will reawaken your body, and thus your entire consciousness. You will become aware of actions that are disruptive to the cultivation of body and mind and will be expected to gradually remove these from your habitus.
The basic curriculum includes:
- Kamae (Position of body and spirit)
- Ukemi Waza (The arts of rolling, falling and jumping)
- Atemi Waza (Striking techniques)
- Geri Waza (Kicking techniques)
- Uke Waza (Blocking techniques)
- Kanketsu Waza (Locking techniques)
- Nage Waza (Throwing techinques)
- Basic Kenjustu (Basic sword technique)
- Basic Rokushakubojutsu (Basic long staff)
- Basic Hanbojutsu (Basic short staff)
Once the student has gained a sufficient level of skill in the basic curriculum, she or he will be able to continue into the actual Martial Arts (the five schools described below).
玉虎流骨指術 - Gyokko Ryū Kosshijutsu
Gyokko Ryu was founded in mid-1500 by Toda Sakyo Isshinsai, though it is possible to trace this linage back to the first disputed founder, Tozawa Hakuunsai, in the mid-1100's.
Gyokko Ryu's history is, however, believed to be of even older origin than this.
Gyokko Ryu teaches kosshijutsu (using the fingers to attack vital points) and shitojutsu (litt. "finger-sword technique"), and is characterized by powerful and elegant circular movements.
The school incorporates striking, throwing, and locking techniques enabling the defeat of a larger and stronger opponent.
Gyokko Ryu also teaches Muto Dori: how to defeat an armed opponent.
虎倒流骨法術 - Kotō Ryū Koppōjutsu
As "sister-school" of Gyokko Ryu, the current form was also founded and organized by Toda Sakyo Isshinsai. The history, however, is also of equal age, as it is believed these two ryu were always passed down together.
Koto Ryu teaches the same arts as Gyokko ryu but, there is an emphasis on "koppojutsu" (bone method/breaking), which is best described through the words: "the art of understanding the structure of the body, to be able to manipulate and break it at will".
Koto Ryu is mainly characterized by low postures and big, dynamic linear movements, not circular as seen in Gyokko Ryu.
A very powerful unarmed fighting art.
高木楊心流柔体術 - Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu
Founded in approx. 1583 by the Buddhist monk, Unryū.
In
approx. 1841 the top three students of the 13th Master, Yagi Ikugoro
Hisayoshi, branched off to form three schools of Takagi Ryū. At Ninryu Bujutsu Dojo, we learn the techniques from two of these branches, as they were united through our late Master, Takamatsu Toshitsugu Sensei:
- Fujita Takagi Yoshin Ryū
- Ishitani Takagi Yoshin Ryū
These branches teach us the art of "jūtaijutsu": unarmed combat, mainly grappling, throwing, locking, but also involving strikes and kicks.
The name of the school means: "High tree and awakened heart".
九鬼神流棒術 - Kukishin Ryū
The history of Kukishin Ryu is a little complicated as there are several martial schools from old times Japan with the word "Kukishin" in their names - and each with it's own founder, densho and master. At Ninryu Bujutsu Dojo we practice the Kukishin Ryu of Nawa Shinzaburo Motonaga, who founded the school in approx. 1000.
"Kukishin" means "Nine-Demon-Gods" and it is said that a warrior who masters the techniques of the Kukishin Bojutsu could single-handedly walk into the midst of 100 enemies.
The Kukishin Ryu Densho includes:
- Dakentaijutsu (Unarmed battlefield combat)
- Rokushakubojutsu (Long staff)
- Hanbojutsu (Short staff)
- Jojutsu (Middle-length staff)
- Juttejutsu (Truncheon)
- Sojutsu (Spear)
- Naginatajutsu (Halberd)
自心自体流武術 - Jishin Jitai Ryu Bujutsu
This school was founded by Ninryu Sensei in 2019 based on the teachings of his former master: Manaka Unsui. The name means: "Natural Mind, Natural Body School of Martial Arts".
Through his school Jinen Ryu Bikenjutsu, Unsui Soke revived many arts of traditional Japanese weaponry. He based his teachings on the instructions received from his former masters, Toshitsugu Takamatsu and Masaaki Hatsumi.
During his time in the Jinenkan, Ninryu Sensei mastered most of the disciplines of the Jinen Ryu. However, Unsui Sensei's teachings were wide and often varied from instructor to instructor. Besides his personal teachings with Unsui Sensei, Ninryu Sensei also learned many of the other Dojo-cho's received instructions, and Jishin Jitai Ryu is thus a selection of these various teachings with some additions and alterations by Ninryu Sensei himself.
The Jishin Jitai Ryu consists of:
Through his school Jinen Ryu Bikenjutsu, Unsui Soke revived many arts of traditional Japanese weaponry. He based his teachings on the instructions received from his former masters, Toshitsugu Takamatsu and Masaaki Hatsumi.
During his time in the Jinenkan, Ninryu Sensei mastered most of the disciplines of the Jinen Ryu. However, Unsui Sensei's teachings were wide and often varied from instructor to instructor. Besides his personal teachings with Unsui Sensei, Ninryu Sensei also learned many of the other Dojo-cho's received instructions, and Jishin Jitai Ryu is thus a selection of these various teachings with some additions and alterations by Ninryu Sensei himself.
The Jishin Jitai Ryu consists of:
- Kenjutsu (Japanese Art of the Sword)
- Iaijutsu (The Art of drawing the Sword)
- Tantojutsu (Knife-fighting techniques)
- Kusarifundojutsu (Japanese chain-weapon)
- Juttejutsu (Truncheon)
- Nitojutsu (The Art of two Swords)
- Juttejutsu (Truncheon)
- Nitojutsu (The Art of two Swords)