Leuven - Vechtsportzaal - Dojo - Sportzaal - Kwoon

Ninjutsu
Ninjutsu as it is taught today consists of nine different Ryu or schools. Originally these Ryu were taught seperately however over the course of time, they ended up being taught to one man. That man was the previous grandmaster, Takamatsu Toshitsugu. These nine schools have different strengths, and work well at different distances and in different situations

Because these schools were all founded at slightly different times they may have a different emphasis. Some of these schools were founded in times of war, others in times of relative peace. Not all of these nine schools can be truely called Ninjutsu, some of them are perhaps better labeled as Samurai warrior arts. However, because they are all taught together they are generally given the banner of "Ninjutsu".

These schools incorporate a large number of skills and techniques. Including techniques and skills using: Weaponry, Locks, Throws, Punches, Kicks, Ground based grappling, standing grappling. Ninjutsu is in itself a complete martial art.

History is unfortunately (however understandably) Vague. Not all the information on this page is verifiable. It is generally accepted as being a good account, but some of it may be incorrect. This information has been researched, but given that much of this history has been trasmitted via "word of mouth" it is not possible to know how much of it is accurate.

Togakure Ryu - Hidden Door School
Togakure Daisuke, also known as Nishina was born in Shinsyu in the Oho era in 1611.
He was the first Soke (Grand Master) of Togakure Ryu.
Togakure Daisuke learnt Ninjutsu under Kogakure Doshi.
This Ryu influenced many Ninja Schools. The main teachings of
this Ryu are :
"Violence is to be avoided and Ninpo is Bujutsu."
"Sword to be peace and protect Country, Family and Nature."

Gyokko Ryu - Jewel Tiger School
During the Chinese Tang Dynasty, Cho Gyokko left China and arrived in Japan.
He brought with him the beginnings of the Gyokko Ryu.
The most common belief is that the Ryu was created by a Chinese Princess who used quick body movements to attack targets.There is a saying in the Gyokko Ryu that should be mentioned. In Japanese it is written like this:
"Bushigokoro wo motte totoshi no nasu."

Which means:
"The warriors heart is precious and essential."

Kukishinden Ryu - Tradition of the Nine Demon Gods School
The Kukishinden was developed in the Kumano Province.
The Kuki name was given by the Emperor Go-Daigo. He gave the name to the original founder,
Yasushimaru Takazune in the 13th Century.
Kuki means "One who fights like nine demons".
One major influence in Kukishinden sword work is the secret footwork of the Itto Ryu,
which was founded by Itto Sai.
Incase you are not aware of this fact, this man picked the next Soke of the Itto Ryu by getting
his two best students to fight to the death with live swords.
Kukishin is a true Battlefield art.

Koto Ryu - Tiger knocking Down School
The oral teachings of the Koto Ryu say that this art came from China, via Korea by Chang Busho, a Chinese Warrior.
This art was passed through many generations until the first Soke, Sakagami Taro in Japan.
A sorrowful fact of this art is that the second Soke Sakagami Kotaro also known as Bando was killed in a battle in the latter part of 1542, and couldn't take up the leadership of the school.
The school passed to Sogyokkan Ritsushi who was also a Soke of the Gyokko Ryu and thus brought the two schools together. The Koto Ryu has a unique form of swordsmanship, the secret being that the Koto Ryu members would
change the footwork and the hand positions of the sword, at will to give the illusion of being novice swordsmen.

Shinden Fudo Ryu - Immovable Heart School
The founder of the school Izumo learnt Chinese Kempo Boxing.
This was in the Eikyu era around 1113.
There are six sayings, or rules that one follows in this art:
1.   You must know that patience is only a moment.
2.   You must know the way that you walk is the way of Righteousness.
3.   Forget the big desires, easiness and selfishness.
4.   Sorrow and truth (feelings of revenge) are the rules of Nature.
5.   Obtain peace in your heart by the understanding of immovable heart
6.  Concentrate into, (or train into) faithfulness. Be obedient and honour your parents, and make your way by studying the way of the Bushi.

Takagi Yoshin Ryu - High Tree Raised Heart School
In 1569 during the Yeiroku era in the mountain area of Miyagi, a priest called Unryu who was an
expert in the Shuriken (throwing stars etc), Bo (long staff), and Taijutsu taught the first Soke, Takagi Oriuemon Shigenobu.
This particular school specialised in Jutaijutsu (grappling) but also taught punching, kicking and various weaponry.
The secret of the Takagi Yoshi Ryu is that it takes its techniques further than those of Judo or Aikido.
When the techniques are applied, it is difficult for your attacker to escape by rolling or breakfalling.
This style of Jujutsu comes from fighting indoors.
Gikan Ryu - Truth, Loyalty and Justice School.
This school was founded by Uryu Gikanbo who was the Daimyo (warlord) of Kawa Chi No Kuni Province.
It is said that Gikanbo's punch was so powerful that he once broke a sword in half.
One of the special teachings of the ryu is:
"Bufi ni sente nashi" or
"From this side there is not the first strike".
The Gikan Ryu kamae (postures) are of balance until they have been extensively practised.
Which is a secret in itself.

Gyokushin Ryu - Immovable Heart School
The first Soke of this school was called Sasaki Goemon. It is beleived that he originally studied the Gyokko Ryu.
It is not widely known in the West what the fighting techniques of the Gyokushin Ryu are.
One known area of this Ryu is the use of Sutemi (sacrifice) throws.

Kumogakure Ryu - Hiding in the Clouds School
The first Soke of the Kumogakure Ryu was Heinaizaemon Ienaga Iga. 1532-1534.
This Soke was also a prominent member of the Iga Ryu Ninja Family.
One of the special weapons is the Kamayari or hook spear designed for climbing up the sides of ships,
but was also effective against swordsmen.
Another speciality of the Ryu is the Demon mask, which was sometimes worn by the members of this Ryu.
A secret of the Taijutsu in the Kumogakure Ryu is its jumping while fighting.
An example of this is a story of Takamatsu Sensei. While in China he fought a Shorinji Kempo fighter.
As the man attacked, Takamatsu Sensei would jump repeatedly away from him, sometimes upto eight feet. Many of these techniques stemmed from living upon ships.