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Gikan-Ryu PDF
Gikan-Ryu PDF
Notes about the Sokes Akimoto, Kanai Moriyoshi: He was a student of Sougyoko, Kan Ritsushi
who was the 12th Soke in Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu and the 3rd 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 person’s 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 27th August 1863 he was fighting for the emperor’s 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 Richardson’s Book (4th 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 Takamatsu’s 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 14th
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 Akimoto’s 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 Takamatsu’s 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:
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 Sensei’s prior to Dr. Hatsumi’s 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.
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.
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.
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.