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Ryuha

Hojojutsu.org and the Kokusai Hojojutsu Kenkyukai make no claims as to receiving endorsement from any of the Ryuha listed here; nor do we favour the methods and techniques of one school over another. This list of Ryuha is provided purely in the interests of academic study.


ARAKI RYU (荒木流) Founded by Araki Mujinsai Minamoto no Hidenawa around the year 1573, Araki Ryu is a Koryu Bujutsu school that includes Hojojutsu as well as Torite Kogusoku (grappling both with and without weapons) Kenjutsu (Daito, Shoto, tanto) Bojutsu, Naginatajutsu and Kusarijutsu (Kusarigama, Chigiriki & Ryofundo) In its training repertoire.
ASAYAMA ICHIDEN RYU (浅山一伝流) This Koryu Bujutsu system was founded in either the Tensho (1573-1593) or Keicho (1596-1615) period by Asayama Ichidensai Shigetatsu. As well as Hojojutsu, the school also includes Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, Taijutsu, Jujutsu, Bojutsu, Kamajutsu and Ninjutsu in its repertoire.
CHIKARASHIN RYU (力信流) Chikarashin Ryu is an alternative name for the ‘Rikishin Ryu’ school of Koryu Bujutsu.
ENKU RYU (円空流) is a koryu school that includes both Hojojutsu and Jujutsu in its repertoire.
Fuhen Ryu (不変流) Is a Koryu Bujutsu system, that alongside Hojojutsu also included Jujutsu, Bojutsu, Naginatajutsu, Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, Shurikenjutsu and Ninjutsu within its repertoire.
GYOKUSHIN RYU (玉心流) Gyokushin ryu is an edo-Period Bujutsu school generally thought to have been founded by Sasaki Goemon, himself a student of the Gyokko Ryu style (hence Gyoku-SHIN Ryu). The school practices Jujutsu / Jutaijutsu, Koppojutsu, Ninjutsu, Kusari Fundo, Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu and various forms of Hojojutsu related arts including the use of the Nagenawa.

Another school of the same name is recorded from the Muromachi era, although it has not been formally confirmed that these are the same system, or in fact share any of the same lineage. The current Soke is Masaaki Hatsumi, founder of the Bujinkan.
HIMORI RYU (日守流 ) is a Koryu Bujutsu school of the edo period within the Owari domain. Founded by Masahide Himori the school specialized in methods intended for use by the local police, checkpoint and customs officers. Arts included within the schools repertoire included Hojojutsu, Bojutsu, Sandogujutsu (the three designs of polearm used in the arrest of criminals) as well as other forms of Kakushi-Buki.
HOEN RYU (方圓流) According to noted Hojojutsu historian Fujita Seiko in his 1964 publication ‘Zukai Hojojutsu’ Hoen Ryu is a school of Koryu Bujutsu that incorporated Hojojutsu into its training repertoire.
HONTAI YOSHIN RYU (本體楊心流) is a koryu school founded by Takagi Shigetoshi (also recorded as Takagi Setsuemon Shigetoshi & Takagi Oriemon Shigetoshi) around the year 1660. The school traditionally incorporated Hojojutsu into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, Kodachi, Tantojutsu, Bojutsu and Jojutsu
HOZAN RYU (宝山流) is a former koryu school founded by Tsutsumi Hozan (Tsutsumi Yamashiro no kami Hozan) at some stage between the late 14th or early 15th centuries. The school incorporates Hojojutsu into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Kenjutsu, Jujutsu (Formerly called Yoroi Kumiuchi), Juttejutsu, Bojutsu, Jojutsu, Kusarigamajutsu and Sojutsu. There are some suggestions that weapons like the Chigiriki and the Manrikigusari were also at one time included in the arts syllabus.
INOTANI RYU (猪谷流) Inotani Ryu was a koryu Bujutsu school founded in the Owari domain by the Samurai ‘Inotani Kazu-Takashi’. Although the school predominantly taught Kenjutsu, the syllabus of the Ryu also included Iaijutsu, Jujutsu and Hojojutsu. The style thrived within the Owari domain from its inception up until the death of Inotani Chuzo in 1877.
ISHIGURO RYU (石黒流) Iskiguro ryu is a Koryu founded by Ishiguro Seki Hitoshi. The school incorporates Hojojutsu into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Jujutsu, Atemijutsu, Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu and Bojutsu. Another weapon included in the arsenal of the Ishiguro Ryu is a type of Fundonawa (Weighted Rope) although some seemingly replace the weight with an iron spike much like the Chinese rope-dart.
ITTATSU RYU (一達流) is a Japanese Koryu school founded by Matsuzaki Kinuemon Tsunekatsu in the 17th century. Matsuzuki was himself the third Shinto Muso Ryu headmaster, and to this day Ittatsu Ryu is taught as an ancillary art of the Shinto Muso Ryu school. Because of the international spread of the Shinto Muso Ryu style, Ittatsu Ryu is undoubtedly the most practiced system of Hojojutsu in the world. shindomusoryu.com/hojojutsu.htm
JISHUKAN RYU (自修館流) is a Gendai-Budo school founded by Shuho Sugita in 1947. Jishukan Ryu is for the most part influenced by the methods of Daito Ryu, Takenouchi Ryu and Hakko Ryu; and although it is known predominantly for its Jujutsu, the school also includes, Kenpo, Hayanawa, Jojutsu, Kappo (resuscitation) and Shiatsu in its training methodology.
KARAMIDI (絡める手 Binding Hand) Karamidi is an Okinawan form of Hojojutsu practiced from the period prior to the Japanese annexation of the Ryukyu up until the end of the feudal period. During the Ryukyuan Kingdom era Karamidi was used by the Ufuchiku (Police Chief) and the Chikusaji (Police Officer) during everyday arrests. The art remains part of the syllabus of the Motobu Udundi school. motobu-ryu.org
KASHIMA SHINRYU (鹿島神流) is a koryu school founded by Matsumoto Bizen-no-kami around the year 1500. The school incorporates Hojojutsu (under the name Hobakujutsu) into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, Battojutsu, Bojutsu, Jojutsu,Kenpo, Naginatajutsu, Kaikenjutsu and Shurikenjutsu. kashima-shinryu.jp
KASHIMA SHINTO RYU (鹿島新当流) is a koryu martial arts school founded by Tsukahara Bokuden around the year 1530. The school incorporates Hojojutsu into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Kenjutsu, Battojutsu, Naginatajutsu, Sojutsu, Bojutsu and Tantojutsu.
KENTOKU RYU (劍徳流) According to noted Hojojutsu historian Fujita Seiko in his 1964 publication ‘Zukai Hojojutsu’ the Kentoku Ryu is a school of Koryu Bujutsu that incorporated Hojojutsu into its training repertoire.
KITO RYU (起倒流 The School of the Rise and Fall) Kito ryu is a Koryu school founded in the 17th century. The style became world famous thanks to it being a major influence for Jigoro Kano in his formulation of what would become known as Judo. Aside from its jujutsu and Yoroi Kumiuchi (Armoured Grappling) the Kito ryu style formally included Hayanawa, Sojutsu, Naginatajutse, Kamajutsu and Juttejutsu.
KURAMA YOSHIN RYU (鞍馬楊心流) The Bugei Ryuha Daijiten states that the school was founded in 1780 by Shioda Jindaiyu after he combined the teachings of Akiyama Yoshin Ryu and Suzuki Ryu. Like other styles descended from Akiyama Yoshin Ryu, the school is most noted for its Jujutsu, but also includes Hojojutsu, Kenjutsu and Bojutsu practice in its training repertoire.
MAEBASHI-HAN ARAKI RYU (真栄橋藩荒木流) as taught by Amiyoshi Dotaku is a branch of Araki Ryu that differs quite significantly from the Araki Ryu mainline. Amiyoshi Dotaku is known to have taught a curriculum which included Torite (defeating and subduing an opponent whilst unarmed), Torinawa (an alternative name for Hojojutsu) Iai (rapid sword drawing) and Bojutsu (the art of the staff)
MAKAGE RYU (真陰流) an alternative name for the Shinkage Ryu (真陰流) school of Koryu Bujutsu.
MASAKI RYU (正木流) Masaki Ryu is a Koryu Bujutsu school founded by the samurai ‘Masaki Toshimitsu Dannoshin’ (1690 – 1776) sometime during the early to mid 18th century. Dannoshin was a guard at Edo castle who believing it sacrilegious to kill people within the grounds of the palace, developed weapons and methods to more peacefully apprehend intruders. The school includes Hojojutsu (Machikata Juttejutsu) Manrikigusari and Kusarigama. Because Masaki Ryu is based around defending against intruding attackers, the study of Tantojutsu and Kenjutsu are necessary from a defensive point of view. masakiryu-nakajimaha.org
MUGEN RYU (無辺流) An alternative name for the Muhen Ryu (無辺流) school of Koryu Bujutsu.
MUHEN RYU (無辺流) Muhen Ryu is a Koryu Bujutsu school noted for its Bojutsu but who traditionally included Shosho Ryu Hojojutsu as well as Sojutsu and Naginatajutsu within its repertoire. The style itself is still practiced in its birthplace of Morioka city, Iwate Prefecture today, and in 1979 was designated an intangible cultural asset by the prefectural government. Also known as Mugen Ryu.
NAGAOKA KEN RYU (長岡兼流) originally a comprehensive system of Koryu Bujutsu that included Jujutsu, Hojojutsu, Kenjutsu, Iai and Bojojutsu; only the Bojutsu portion of their syllabus has survived the transition from the feudal to the modern era.
NAKAZAWA RYU (中澤流) is an early 20th century Bujutsu school founded by Nakazawa Sohaku (1868 – 1931). As well as being a Shinto priest, Nakazawa studied Jujutsu with the Takeda Ryu and Shibukawa Ryu styles, and there are noted similarities to the Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu school perhaps due to this Takeda Ryu link. The school was noted for its use of Hayanawa (Fast Rope methods) as well as its Jujutsu and Goshinjutsu.
Okamoto ryu 岡本流 was a system of Koryu Bujutsu who's densho included Jujutsu, Iai, Kenjutsu, the use of Kaginawa, Hayanawa, Jutte & Kakute amongst numerous others.
RIKISHIN RYU (力信流) is a 16th century koryu school founded by Saga Kanbe Nyudo Iemitsu. The art incorporated Hojojutsu into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Jujutsu, Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, Kodachi, Bojutsu and Juttejutsu. Rikishin Ryu is also in some cases referred to as Chikarashin Ryu.
SANWA MUTEKI RYU (三和無敵流) is a Koryu Bujutsu school of the edo period founded by Kanazawa Honoki (1673-1752). The school taught Hojojutsu as part of a comprehensive martial system that included arts such as, Kenjutsu, Battojutsu, Bojutsu and Hanbojutsu.
SASAI RYU (笹井流) According to noted Hojojutsu historian Fujita Seiko in his 1964 publication ‘Zukai Hojojutsu’ the Sasai Ryu is a school of Koryu Bujutsu that incorporated Hojojutsu into its training repertoire.
SEIGO RYU (正剛流) Seigo Ryu was a Koryu Bujutsu school from the Owari Han (now the western portion of Aichi Prefecture) founded by Mizuhaya Chozaemon Nobumasa. The school itself is generally noted for its Jujutsu, although Hojojutsu, Kenjutsu and Iai were also included in their training repertoire.
SEKIGUCHI RYU (関口流) is Japanese Koryu school founded in 1640 by Sekiguchi Yarokuemon Ujimune. The school formerly incorporated Hojojutsu into its training repertoire, although it would seem that training within the ryu is now largely limited to Jujutsu, Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu. sekiguchi-shinshinryu.org
SHINKAGE RYU (新陰流) Within the field of Japanese Bujutsu there are numerous ryu that share the name ‘Shinkage’ although most are not linked by any formal history or lineage. This particular Shinkage Ryu was founded during the Meiji period (1868 – 1912) by Imaizumi Hachiro. During his life Imaizumi had studied Sekiguchi Shinshin Ryu, Kusunoki Ryu Kenpo, Tenjin Shinyo Ryu, Araki Ryu Bojutsu and Torite. The Shinkage Ryu system concentrated its methods mainly around Jujutsu, with Hojojutsu practiced as a part of its unarmed syllabus.
SHOSHO RYU (諸賞流) a Koryu Bujutsu school whose Hojojutsu methods are also incorporated into the Mugen Ryu style. The system itself includes other arts such as Yawara (Jujutsu), Naginatajutsu, Hanbo, Iai, Kenjutsu and Tantojutsu.
TAISHO RYU (大正流) According to noted Hojojutsu historian Fujita Seiko in his 1964 publication ‘Zukai Hojojutsu’ the Taisho Ryu is a school of Koryu Bujutsu that incorporated Hojojutsu into its training repertoire.
TAKAGI YOSHIN RYU (高木揚心流) Takagi Yoshin Ryu is a Koryu martial arts school founded by Takagi Oriemon Shigetoshi around the year 1645. Although it’s dominant discipline is Jujutsu, the syllabus also includes Kenjutsu and Hojojutsu methods. Rather confusingly, Takagi Yoshin Ryu is not actually part of the Yoshin Ryu lineage, but is instead a descendant of the Takenouchi Ryu style.
TAKAMURA-HA SHINDO YOSHIN RYU (高村派新道楊心流) is Japanese Koryu school founded by Matsuoka Katsunosuke around the year 1864. The school incorporates Hojojutsu (under the name Torinawa) into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, Tantojutsu and Tetsubo. shinyokai.com
TAKENOUCHI RYU (竹内流) is a Japanese Koryu school founded by Takenouchi Chunagon Daijo Hisamori around the year 1532. The school incorporates Hojojutsu into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Jujutsu, Bojutsu, Kenjutsu, Iai, Naginatajutsu and Tessenjutsu. takenouchiryu.com
Takenouchi Hangan Ryu 竹之内判官流 is the current name attributed to the Takenouchi Hogan Ryu school of Koryu bujutsu.
Takenouchi Hogan Ryu 竹之内判官流 (More recently referred to as Takenouchi Hangan Ryu) is a branch school of the Takenouchi Ryu that was formed in 1715 by a samurai named Nishikawa Kyusaburo Ryuchosai, himself a student of the 3rd headmaster of the Takenouchi Ryu style.

As well as instructing within Hojojutsu, the Takenouchi Hogan Ryu also includes Jujutsu, Bojojutsu, kenjutsu, Iai, Naginatajutsu, Sojutsu, Tessenjutsu, Shurikenjutsu and numerous other combative Bujutsu methods within its curriculum.
TATSUMI RYU (立身流) is a Japanese Koryu school founded by Tatsumi Sankyo sometime between the years of 1504 and 1520. The school incorporates Hojojutsu into its training repertoire alongside other arts such as Kenjutsu, iai, Yawara, Sojutsu, Bojutsu and Shurikenjutsu. tatsumi-ryu.org
TOGAKURE RYU (戸隠流 School of the Hidden Door) is a ninjutsu Ryuha allegedly founded during the Oho period (1161–1162) by Daisuke Nishina. However widely respected sources such as the ‘Bugei Ryuha Daijiten’ claim that deliberate alterations were made to the schools history, in order to make it appear older than it actually is. This argument is given some validity as it is only from the 24th Soke onward (Seiryu Nobutsuna Toda 1624 – 1658), that any form of individual Birth/Death or Start/End of their leadership for the school are listed. Combative arts taught within the school include Jujutsu/Taijutsu (including Hojojutsu), Kenjutsu, Bojutsu, Shurikenjutsu, Sojutsu (Naginata, Yari) and Kusarigamajutsu.

The current head is the founder of the Bujinkam ‘Masaaki Hatsumi’ who is listed as the schools 34th Soke.
TSUTSUMI HOZAN RYU (堤宝山流) The full name for the Koryu school commonly known as Hozan Ryu.
YOKOKORO RYU (養心流 ) Yokokoro Ryu is a Koryu Bujutsu school of the Okayama Prefecture noted for its Bojutsu methods. Apart from its well documented staff techniques, the Yokokoro Ryu traditionally includes Jujutsu, Hojojutsu, Juttejutsu and Iai within its repertoire.
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