These are the nine Ryū-ha taught in the Bujinkan system. Masaaki Hatsumi was the Sōke (grandmaster) of all nine Japanese traditions. In 2019, around the time we celebrated his Beiju (米寿, the traditional Japanese celebration of a person’s 88th birthday), he announced eight new Sōke for the nine Ryū-ha. The kanji for 米 (rice) can be broken down into 八十八 (88), representing the age. Rice also symbolizes prosperity and sustenance in Japanese culture. Now you know why there are eight Sōke instead of nine.
九古流派 The 9 ryūha
神伝不動流打拳体術
Shindenfudō-ryū dakentaijutsu
(immovable heart school)
Founded in the Yeikyu-era (1113 a.d.) by 出雲冠者義照 Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru. The school is characterised as a style that emphasises natural movements, and the study of nature is important.
– In 2019 Hatsumi Sōke appointed 長登 敏郎 Nagato Toshiro as the 27’th generation grandmaster of Shindenfudō-ryū.
長登 敏郎
Nagato Toshiro
Born 1947-
第27代宗家
27th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in 1976
- Sōke, Shindenfudō-ryū Dakentaijutsu
九鬼神流八法秘剣術
Kukishin-ryū happōbikenjutsu
(nine demon gods school)
Founded at the end of the Kamakura-era (1336) by 出雲冠者義照 Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru. The school is most famous in Bujinkan for it’s many weapons techniques such as sword, spear, halberd and staffs of various lengths.
– 岩田 義雄 Iwata Yoshio Sōke is the 29’th generation grandmaster
岩田 義雄
Iwata Yoshio
Born
第29代宗家
29th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in
- Sōke, Kukishin-ryū Happōbikenjutsu
高木揚心流柔体術
Takagiyōshin-ryū jūtaijutsu
(heart of the willow tree school)
Foundend in the Yeiroku-era (1625-1711) by 高木折右衛門重俊 Takagi Oriemon Shigenobu. The school is a self defence style both Jūjutsu unarmed close combat techniques, and mūtō-dori unarmed against sword attacks.
– In 2019 Hatsumi Sōke appointed 逆井 則男 Sakasai Norio born June 9’th 1972 as the 18’th generation grandmaster of Takagiyōshin-ryū.
逆井 則男
Sakasai Norio
Born 1972-06-09
第18代宗家
18th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in
- Sōke, Takagiyōshin-ryū Jūtaijutsu
- Sōke, Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu
玉虎流骨指術
Gyokko-ryū kosshijutsu
(jewel tiger school)
Founded in the Hogen-era (1156-1159) by 戸沢白雲斎 Tozawa Hakūnsai. This school is perhaps the school that have the biggest influence of the unarmed basics in Bujinkan, such as Sanshin no kata, and Kihon-happō. Striking with the fingers and toes is very characteristic of this style of fighting.
– In 2019 Hatsumi Sōke appointed 石塚 哲二 Ishizuka Tetsuji born February 22’th 1948 as the 29’th generation grandmaster of Gyokkō-ryū. He sadly passed away in March 2025 aged 77 years old.
石塚 哲二
Ishizuka Tetsuji
Born 1948-02-22
Death 2025-03-15
第29代宗家
29th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in 1966
- Soke, Gyokkō-ryū (2019)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Kukishin-ryū (Jun 1971)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Togakure-ryū (Jan 1978)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Shindenfudō-ryū (Aug 1978)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Gyokkō-ryū (Aug 1978)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Kotō-ryū (Aug 1978)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Takagiyōshin-ryū (Aug 1978)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Gikan-ryū (Aug 1978)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Kumogakure-ryū (Aug 1978)
- Menkyo Kaiden, Gyokushin-ryū (Aug 1978)
- “The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays” from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan (2016-04-29)
虎倒流骨法術
Kotō-ryū koppōjutsu
(knocking down the tiger school)
Founded in the Tenbun-era (1532) by 坂上太郎国重 Sakagami Taro Kunishige. This school’s speciality is the art of manipulating the bone structure. The foot work is also quite unique by cross stepping, quite similar to the chinese styles. Also the use of the sword in this school is quite unorthodox.
– In 2019 Hatsumi Sōke appointed 野口 幸夫 Noguchi Yukio as the 19’th generation grandmaster of Kotō-ryū.
野口 幸夫
Noguchi Yukio
Born 1942-08-06
第19代宗家
19th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in
- Sōke, Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu
- Menkyo Kaiden, Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu
- Menkyo Kaiden, Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu
- Menkyo Kaiden, Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu
- Bujinkan Dojo Shitenno Menkyo recipient
- Bujinkan Dojo Daishihan
- Bujinkan Dojo 15th Dan
- Nihon Buyo Natori (Japanese traditional dance teacher)
- Imperial ‘Cultural award’ recipient from the Higashikuni-no-miya Memorial Foundations
義鑑流骨法術
Gikan-ryū koppōjutsu
(truth, loyalty and justice school)
Founded in the Yeiroku-era (1558-1570) by 瓜生判官義鑑房 Uryu Hangan Gikanbo. This school have not been taught that much yet.
– In 2019 Hatsumi Sōke appointed 逆井 則男 Sakasai Norio born June 9’th 1972 as the 16’th generation grandmaster of Gikan-ryū.
逆井 則男
Sakasai Norio
Born 1972-06-09
第16代宗家
16th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in
- Sōke, Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu
- Sōke, Takagiyōshin-ryū Jūtaijutsu
戸隠流忍法
Togakure-ryū ninpō
(the hidden door school)
Founded in the ōho-era by 戸隠大助 Togakure Daisuke. This school is known in the Bujinkan as the school where all the Ninjutsu techniques come from. In the 80’s everything that was taught in Bujinkan was called Togakure-ryu, but the truth is that most of the things that was taught was from the schools above. You could say that the name was used to attract many students.
– In 2019 Hatsumi Sōke appointed 筒井巧 Takumi Tsutsui born July 3’th 1964 as the 35’th generation grandmaster of Togakure-ryū.
筒井巧
Takumi Tsutsui
Born 1964-06-03
第35代宗家
35th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in
- Sōke, Togakure-ryū Ninpō
雲隠流忍法
Kumogakure-ryū ninpō
(hidden cloud school)
Founded in the Tenmon-era (1532-1554) by 伊賀平内左衛門家長 Iga Heinaizaemon Ienaga. This school have not been taught that much yet.
– In 2019 Hatsumi Sōke appointed 古田 恒二 Furuta Kōji the 16’th generation grandmaster of Kumogakure-ryū.
古田 恒二
Furuta Kōji
Born
第16代宗家
16th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in
- Sōke, Kumogakure-ryū Ninpō
玉心流忍法
Gyokushin-ryū ninpō
(jewelled heart school)
Founded in the Tenbun-era (1532) by 佐々木 Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi. This school have not been taught that much yet.
– In 2019 Hatsumi Sōke appointed 菅 純一 Kan Jun’ichi the 22’nd generation grandmaster of Gyokushin-ryū.
菅 純一
Kan Jun’ichi
Born
第22代宗家
22th Generation Sōke
Started training with Hatsumi Sōke in
- Sōke, Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō
The 9 Bujinkan Ryu-ha and its importance
The essence lies not in the techniques themselves, but in the profound teachings they convey. When Hatsumi Sōke, the revered master, imparted his wisdom during the 80s up until his retirement in 2020, he emphasized that understanding the deeper meaning behind the techniques held greater significance. It was never solely about memorizing the specific techniques within the nine Bujinkan Ryu-ha.
In the Bujinkan Dojo, we approach the training of techniques from the various Ryu-ha as a cohesive system—Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu. The emphasis is placed on the underlying principles and concepts that unify the techniques, transcending the individual schools. By integrating the techniques seamlessly into our practice, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the art as a whole.
Hatsumi Sōke’s teachings encourage us to see beyond the surface level of techniques and explore the underlying principles, strategies, and mindset that make them effective. It is through this holistic approach that we truly embody the essence of Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu, enabling us to adapt and apply the teachings in any situation.
In essence, while techniques serve as vehicles for learning, it is the wisdom, philosophy, and understanding they impart that holds the true value. By focusing on the lessons they teach, we cultivate a deeper connection to the essence of Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu and enhance our ability to adapt, respond, and thrive in the dynamic nature of martial arts and life itself.