- Kotō-ryū
Kotō-ryū (虎倒流) ("Knocking down the Tiger School") is a school of
koppojutsu (骨法術) ,shakenjutsu (車剣術), andkenjutsu (剣術).Masaaki Hatsumi is the currentSōke (head master) of theryu which was passed on to him by his teacherTakamatsu Toshitsugu . [ [http://www.budotaijutsu.co.uk/budo_taijutsu/koto_ryu_koppojutsu.html Budotaijutsu] ]History
Koto-ryu is based on techniques brought from
China by way ofKorea by one Chan Busho in the16th century . The system was codified in 1542 bySakagami Taro Kunishige , who was also then-Sōke ofGyokko-ryu , which is considered the sister style Koto-ryu. [ [http://www.budotaijutsu.co.uk/budo_taijutsu/koto_ryu_koppojutsu.html Budotaijutsu] ]Techniques
The "
densho " (scrolls) are arranged in a particular order, and each "waza " (technique), "kata" (forms), etc. are supposed to be learned in the same order, mastering one before going on to the next.Koto-ryu stresses close-range fighting, including powerful strikes designed to break the enemy's bones (
koppojutsu ), and also pressure point strikes (kyusho-jitsu ). [ [http://www.budotaijutsu.co.uk/budo_taijutsu/koto_ryu_koppojutsu.html Budotaijutsu] ] Also, the sword-fighting (kenjutsu ) style of Koto-ryu is a unique one designed to confuse the enemy and convince him that the Koto-ryu swordsman was a mere amateur. [ [http://www.bujinkangreece.com/ryuha/koto.html Bujinkan Greece] ]Lineages
This school is taught inside the
Bujinkan ,Genbukan ,Jinenkan , Kaminaga Shigemi and underFumon Tanaka .The Bujinkan lineage comes through Takamatsu Toshitsugu, then to Masaaki Hatsumi.
The Genbukan lineage comes through Takamatsu Toshitsugu, then to Sato Kinbei; since then
Shoto Tanemura has founded Koto Ryu Tanemura-Ha.The Jinenkan lineage comes through Takamatsu Toshitsugu, then to Masaaki Hatsumi.
The Kaminaga Shigemi lineage comes through Ueno Takashi who is considered the lineage grandmaster by the governing Ko Ryu boards.
The Tanaka Fumon lineage comes through Kaminaga Shigemi who is the representative grandmaster.
*Koppojutsu
**Kurai Dori (Postures)
**Shoden Gata (Beginning forms)
**Chuden Gata (Mid-level forms)
**Okuden Gata (Advanced forms)
**Kaiden Gata (Master forms)
**Hekito Gata (Unarmed defence against sword)Notes
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