Gikan Ryu KOPPOJUTSU

Truth, Loyalty, and Justice school

Gikan-ryu Koppo Taijutsu Happo Biken was founded in the mid 1500 by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo. Most
famous in Bujinkan for the difficult and odd Kamaes in its taijutsu. This school is also specialised in
Koppojutsu.
Gikan Ryu SokeGrandmasters
1. Uryu, Hangan Gikanbo; Yeiroku era (1558-1570)
2. Uryu, Yoshimitsu; Tensho era (1573-1592)
3. Uryu, Yoshimori; Kan-ei era (1624-1644)
4. Uryu, Yoshichika; Kambun era (1661-1673)
5. Uryu, Yoshitaka; Genroku era (1688-1704)
6. Uryu, Yoshihide; Horeki era (1751-1764)
7. Uryu, Yoshimori; Kansei era (1789-1801)
8. Uryu, Yoshiaki; Tenpo era (1830-1844)
9. Uryu, Yoshiyasu; Bunkyo era (1861-1864)
10. Uryu, Gikan; Keio era (1865-1868)
11. Ishitani, Takeoi Masatsugu; approx. death 1905
12. Ishitani, Matsutaro Takekage; approx. death 1911
13. Takamatsu, Toshitsugu Uoh; Taisho era (1911-1972)/(born 1888.03.01died 1972.04.02)
14. Akimoto, Fumio; approx. death 1962
15. Hatsumi, Masaaki (Yoshiaki) Showa era; (1971-)/(born 1931.12.02- )

Notes about the Sokes Akimoto, Kanai Moriyoshi: He was a student of Sougyoko, Kan Ritsushi
who was the 12
th
Soke in Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu and the 3
rd
Soke in Koto Ryu Koppojutsu. He is the
one who founded the teachings that would become Gikan Ryu, he is not considered to be the founder
for reasons unknown.
1. Uryu, Hangan Gikanbo: Gikan Ryu was founded by Uryu, Giganbo who was the Daimyo of Kawachi
no Kuni (Kawachi castle). This was a family castle known as Uryujo. It is said that his punch was so
powerful that he once broke a sword blade in half. He was also a master of Hichojutsu
(leaping techniques) and Senban nage (blade throwing). The bo in Gikanbo was probably added to
his name after his death. It was a custom to add bo (dead) to the end of the deceased persons name
on people with higher social status. Still today deceased persons with a high social status,
often have Ingo or Koji added to the end of their names on their tombstones.
2. Uryu, Yoshimitsu: In his later years he became a monk.
10. Uryu, Gikan: On 27
th
August 1863 he was fighting for the emperors army in a battle called
Tenchigumi no ran. He was shot in his arm by a musket, but he kept fighting with only one arm.
When he could, he retired to the safety of a nearby temple. It was here that Ishitani, Takeoi Masatsugu
who already was the Soke of Kukishinden Ryu and Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu found him. Ishitani told
him that the battle was already over. Ishitani helped him to recover, and together they escaped to Iga.
Paul Richardsons Book (4
th
edition)
11. Ishitani, Takeoi Masatsugu: As he had helped Uryu, Gikan to safety in Iga, a friendship began.
Ishitani was then taught the Gikan Ryu, and later received the Menkyo Kaiden, a diploma that verifies
that he had learned the Gikan Ryu techniques fully. He was also to be the next Soke of Gikan Ryu, and
he added to his own two schools Kukishinden Ryu and Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu. He died
sometime around 1905.
12. Ishitani, Matsutaro Takekage: He came to Takamatsu family match factory in the early 1900
looking for a job, he got the job as the security chief on the factory. He was an old man using his
bokken as a cane. He died in the lap of Takamatsu in 1911.
13. Takamatsu, Toshitsugu Uoh (1888.03.01-1972.04.02): He learned Gikan Ryu from Ishitani as well
as Kukishinden Ryu and Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu (not to be confused with Takagi Yoshin Ryu,
which he learned from Mizuta Tadefuza), for approximately two years between 1903-1905 until the
death of Ishitani. He was already an expert in Togakure Ryu, Gyokko Ryu, Koto Ryu, Shinden Fudo
Ryu, and Kumogakure Ryu which he had learned from his uncle. He was also an expert of Takagi
Yoshin Ryu from Mizuta Sensei. He learned the three schools from Ishitani fast and received Menkyo
Kaiden. When Ishitani was about to die he called for Takamatsu, he told Takamatsu that he would be
the next Soke for the three schools. He also told him that he should also give a copy of the three
Denshos from Takagi Yoshin Ryu to his student, and Takamatsus friend, Kakuno Hachiheita.
14. Akimoto, Fumio (born?-Approx. Death 1962): Takamatsu gave the Menkyo Kaiden to several
people, including his best friend and senior student Akimoto, Fumio. He died an untimely death in 1962
without a successor. So the Gikan Ryu returned to Takamatsu, and then later passed on to Hatsumi with
the other eight Bujinkan ryus sometome between 1968-1971. This is the reason he is listed as the 14
th

Soke. It is believed that his scrolls were destroyed in the fire bombing of Tokyo in World War II, but
this has not been confirmed. Akimoto was also Soke of Shoken Ryu Dakentaijutsu which ran through
his own family. This Ryu probably died with Akimotos death in 1962. Since Shoken Ryu is not one of
the Bujinkan schools, not much is known.
15. Hatsumi, Masaaki (Yoshiaki) (1931.12.02-): He trained with Takamatsu for fifteen years between
1957 and until the death of Takamatsu in 1972. A year before Takamatsus death he said that Hatsumi
had learned all that he could teach and awarded Hatsumi to be the sole inheritor of the nine Bujinkan
schools. Hatsumi still lives and teaches his Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu and the nine traditions.
Connection to other Schools:
Gyokko Ryu and Koto Ryu
Akimoto, Kanai Moriyoshi was a student of Sougyoko, Kan Ritsushi the 12
th
Soke of Gyokko Ryu and
the 3
rd
Soke of Koto Ryu. These two schools were passed down to Toda, Sakyo Ishinsai and the
Momochi family in the Tembun era (1532-1555), and later to the Toda family and down to Hatsumi,
Masaaki who now is the 28
th
Soke of Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu and the 18
th
Soke of Koto Ryu
Koppojutsu.
Izumo Ryu Koppojutsu
Another Koppojutsu school called Hontai Gyokushin Ryu can be traced to Sougyoko, Kan Ritsushi the
12
th
Soke of Gyokko Ryu and the 3
rd
Soke of Koto Ryu. The founder was named Suzuki, Taizen Taro
Kanomaza (or Suzuki, Daizentaro Chikamaza) it was later passed down to Fukao, Tsunouma
Shigeyoshi (or Fukao, Kadoma Shigeyoshi) who renamed the school to Izumo Ryu Koppojutsu.
Whether or not this school still exists is unknown.
Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo
This school can also be traced to Sougyoko, Kan Ritsushi the 12
th
Soke of Gyokko Ryu and the 3
rd
Soke
of Koto Ryu. The founder was named Sasaki, Gendayu Sadayasu, the school is handed down for 8-10
generations until it come back to the Gyokko and Koto Ryu and the Toda family schools. It is now one
of the nine Bujinkan schools under the supervision of Hatsumi Sensei who is the 21
st
Soke of
Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo.
Hontai Yoshin Ryu
Takamatsu was given all Ishitanis Denshos (scrolls), and was also told that he should give a copy of
Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu to his friend Kakuno, Hachiheita. Ishitani then died in the lap of Takamatsu.
Kakunos school was simply called the Hontai Ryu. Kakuno had three students that received Menkyo
Kaiden; they were Wakita Sei Ichi, Tsutsui Yoshihisa (Takagi Ryu from Ummanosuke) and Minaki
Saburoji Masanori (Hontai Yoshin Ryu). Minaki also had three students that received Menkyo Kaiden.
They were Tanaka Fumon (Minaki den Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu), Matsudo, and Inoue Munetoshi
Tsuyoshi (Hontai Yoshin Ryu). Inoue is still active and teaches at his dojo in Kobe. His son travels
abroad to teach a couple of times per year.
Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu
Takamatsu had a student named Sato Kinbei Kiyoaki which is supposed to have received Menkyo
Kaiden of Gikan Ryu, Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu, and Kukishinden Ryu in January 1963 shortly after
the death of Akimoto. According to him, he was the 13
th
Soke. He did not include Akimoto and Ishitani
Matsutaro for reasons unknown, see below for a more detailed list.
Menkyo Kaiden is only evidence that the people have learnt the techniques and teachings of a particular
school. The title as Soke is given to the person that is most suited to be the next successor of a
particular school. Sokeship is not necessarily given to the best pupil, but to the person with the best
opportunity or who is best suited to carry on the teachings in the best way..
This ceremony is called Densho Shiki.
One of Hatsumis oldest students named Tanemura Tsunehisa (now Shoto) left the Bujinkan in 1986
after a quarrel with Hatsumi after the funeral of Hatsumis mother. Hatsumi was ill for a long period,
and Tanemura probably thought that he should take leadership. It is said that Tanemura visited
Takamatsus wife and asked her if he had her permission to be the next Soke and that she said yes. She
is dead now so this cannot be verified. Tanemura also looked up Takamatsus former students that were
still alive. He is supposed to have met Sato Kinbei and received several Menkyo Kaidens or Sokeship
from him. Sato is no longer alive to verify this either. Whatever the reason for the split, neither of them
likes to talk about it. The split was only between Tanemura and probably some of his students, and
Hatsumi and Bujinkan,. All of Hatsumis other students remained loyal. Neither Hatsumi or Tanemura
speaks of this incident, nor should we. What happened is their business. Tanemura has his own
organization called Genbukan. He claims to be Soke of several schools.
Kodokan Judo:
Akimoto Fumio the 14
th
Soke, taught Gikan Ryu (and probably also Shoken Ryu) to Mifune of the
Kodokan Judo. He taught him ways of striking and kicking. This was later incorporated into the Judo
training.

SOKE LINEAGE:
Sonyuhangan Gikanbo (Daimyo of Kawachi) also known as: Unryu Hangan Gikanbo 1558-1570,
Yeirouku era
Uryu Yoshimitsu 1573-1592, Tensho era
Uryu Yoshimori 1624-1644, Kan-ei era
Uryu Yoshichika 1661-1673, Kambun era
Uryu Yoshitaka 1688-1704, Genroku era
Uryu Yoshihide 1751-1764, Horeki era
Uryu Yoshimori 1789-1801, Kansei era
Uryu Yoshiaki 1830-1844, Tenpo era
Uryu Yoshiyasu 1861-1864, Bunkyu era
Uryu Gikan 1865-1868, Keoi era
Ishitani Takeoi Masatsugu approx death 1905
Ishitani Matsutaro Takekage approx death 1911
Takamatsu Toshitsugu b. 1887-d.1972
Akimoto Fumio approx death 1962
Hatsumi Masaaki



It is reported that Gikan ryu came into the Ishitani family during the battle of Tenchigumi (August 17,
1863), which Uryu Gikan participated in. He supposedly was shot in the arm, and retreated to a temple
where he was found by Ishitani, who took care of him. They became friends, and Ishitani helped him to
escape back to Iga.
The punch of Uryu Hangan Gikanbo was said to be so powerful that he once broke a sword with it.
One of the teachings from Gikan Ryu is said to be Bufu ni sente nashi, which could possibly be
translated as From this side there is not the first strike, in other words, not to attack first.
Gikan Ryu was developed by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo from knowledge that he received from Sougyoku
Kan Ritsushi of the Gyokko Ryu.
Fumio Akimoto was a student of Takamatsu Senseis prior to Dr. Hatsumis time. (If you notice, Fumio
died before Takamatsu Sensei).
Hatsumi Soke will only demonstrate Gikan Ryu when asked. Generally this school is not taught much.
This school is also related to the Izumo ryu Koppojutsu.
SPECIALITIES:
Koppojutsu, jutaijutsu.

Specializes in Koppojutsu, Originally founded by Sonyu Hangan Gikanbo, lord of Kawachi.

The Ryu contains many special kicks, punches, and throws. One of the special teachings of the Ryu in
"Bufu ni sente nashi" (from this side there is not the first strike).

The dynamic footwork of the Gikan Ryu is used widely within the Bujinkan system.

It is said that many of the Gikan Ryu Kamae are "off balance", until they have been extensively
practiced.

The levels of training in the Gikan Ryu are..
Shoden no Kurai - consisted of 24 techniques
Chuden Gata
Okuden Gata
Kaiden Gata
Menkyo Kaiden


Kamae (is this real? it is from a different source than the other stuff.)
1.Shiten no kamae
2.Hachiku no kamae
3.Ichimonji no kamae
4.Sanposhin no kamae
5.Hira Ichimonji no kamae.

KOTSU
The main point of the Gikan Ryu is in the way the feet point.
The footwork for this Ryu is that the feet point to the shoulders(Right foot to right shoulder etc).
Yoko Aruki sideways (Koto Ryu is Diagonal)



KAMAE
1. ICHIMONJI NO KAMAE (Seigan no kamae)
The body is side on. The left leg leads, and is almost straight. The right foot, faces the opposite
direction behind. The right hand is near the left shoulder.
NOTE
This is very off balance, but it is also a very small target for the opponent
2. HIRA ICHIMONJI NO KAMAE
The feet are shoulder width apart, the left foot faces to the left and the right to the right. The arms are at
shoulder height and stick out to the side. They are straight.

It is not known just yet if these are totally correct.
KATA
1.
Start in Shizen. Uke strikes with a Right Tsuki. Tori then moves into Migi Seigan. As the hands pass
over the punch the fingers point towards the eyes (do not move out of the way, place your right foot on
his right foot). Uke applies pressure to your arm. Tori moves 90 degrees to the left, and strikes with a
Ura Shuto to Shichibatsu. Ryote Fudo ken, with the left hitting Shichibatsu, and the right hitting just
below the shoulder.
HENKA
Start from Shizen. uke does a right Tsuki. Tori moves to Seigan, and as the hands pass over pointing to
the eyes, press his arm up, and move in with a right kick to his left Satani. If you Jodan Uke is too far to
the left kick with your right leg to Omote Sai, on his right thigh.
2.
Start from Shizen. Uke does a right Tsuki, do the normal Jodan Uke. He does a left Tsuki. Move to the
outside, and strike down, and forwards with the right hand as it aims towards the face.
NOTE
The right strike should be open or in Fudo ken.
3.
Start in Shizen. Uke does a right Tsuki. Step with the left foot to the outside of his right arm (he aims
for the face). Tori as he steps strikes with a left strike to Butsumetsu. Toris right hand grabs the right
wrist, and the back of the left Fudo ken strikes down on top of Uke right thigh. Tori drops to his left
knee on top of Ukes right foot, and pulls the right hand down and forward. Tori then does a right kick to
Men or Suigetsu. Tori then spreads Uke out using both of his hands (Toris knee can stay on the foot).
Tori pulls the right arm back ,and kneels on it. Tori reaches under the left leg (above the knee) from Ebi
Dori, and the right hand controls the lower back.