Category Archives: Ninja History

9 Schools of the Bujinkan, Ninja Blog | Zenformation for the Modern Shinobi 忍術, Ninja History

9 Schools of Bujinkan: Gikan Ryū Koppōjutsu

Posted on by togakure
ninjutsu_gikanryu
09
Dec

Gikan Ryū is a Japanese martial art and one of the 9 Schools of the Bujinkan utilizing Koppō Jutsu (bone-breaking techniques). Like many of the ryū of 5 centuries ago, information is incomplete, missing and encrypted. There is however, enough historical information and current affirmation to trust it’s validity. History of Gikan Ryū 流鑑義 Gikan […]

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9 Schools of the Bujinkan, Ninja Blog | Zenformation for the Modern Shinobi 忍術, Ninja History, Ninjutsu

9 Schools of Bujinkan: Gyokko Ryū Kosshijutsu

Posted on by togakure
gyokko ryu kosshijutsu
18
Mar

Gyokko Ryū Kosshijutsu (玉虎流骨指術), is another of the 9 Schools of the Bujinkan. It is one of the nine ryū (schools) taught to the current grandmaster of Togakure Ryū, Masaaki Hatsumi by Takamatsu Toshitsugu. It is one of the oldest documented forms of martial arts in Japan and forms the backbone for all Japanese styles. It’s specialty […]

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9 Schools of the Bujinkan, Ninja History, Ninjutsu

9 Schools of Bujinkan: Kukishinden Ryū

Posted on by togakure
kukishinden ryu
23
Dec

Kukishin Ryū (九鬼神流) or Kukishinden Ryû is a Japanese martial arts system translated as the nine demons school. It is one of the nine ryū (schools) taught to current grandmaster of Togakure Ryū, Masaaki Hatsumi by Takamatsu Toshitsugu. Upon closer inspection of the name ku (nine), ki (oni or demon, older translations meaning Oni-gami (holy spirit)), […]

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Ninja Blog | Zenformation for the Modern Shinobi 忍術, Ninja History

Fudō Myō-ō The Immovable One

Posted on by togakure
Fudō Myō-ō
13
Nov

Fudō Myō-ō 不動明王, as he is known in Japanese culture, is a Hindu deity from the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The Myō-ō are a group of war-gods that represent the power to overcome passions. They were originally a Hindu deity group integrated into Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyo), in Japan. Five Great Kings The Godai Myō-ō (五大明王), or the Five Great Kings are a group […]

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Ninja Blog | Zenformation for the Modern Shinobi 忍術, Ninja History

Tengu: Trick or Treat

Posted on by togakure
karasu tengu
30
Oct

Tengu are legendary kami (gods) in Japanese mythology with deep roots in the folklore surrounding the mysticism of Ninjutsu’s inception. The actual translation of the word tengu means “heavenly dog,” though they are never depicted with any dog-like characteristics in Japanese culture. Their name is based on a Chinese mountain god called the Tien Kou or Tiangou 天狗, […]

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Ninja History, Ninjutsu, Ninjutsu Training

The Mystery of Kuji Kiri Revealed

Posted on by togakure
kuji-in
14
Oct

Nine syllables, also referred to as ‘’The Nine Hands Seals’’ or ‘’The Nine Cuts’’ are hand positions used in Ninjutsu as a process of ritual and meditation called Kuji Kiri. Outside of the Shinobi culture they are sometimes called “The Ninja Secret Hand Signs.” This should not be surprising given that many areas of the art […]

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Ninja Blog | Zenformation for the Modern Shinobi 忍術, Ninja History

Japan: Noda City

Posted on by togakure
ninjutsu
06
Mar

Tucked away in the far northwestern Chiba Prefecture in Japan is the City of Noda. This is home to the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo and the birth place of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, or as his students call him ‘Soke’. This journey to “the source” is a right of passage for Bujinkan members worldwide. The estimated population […]

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