Techniques & Weapon

Ten Chi Jin Ryaku no Maki

天地人略の巻 The book of Heaven-Earth-Man, an introductory training guide to the Bujinkan. This program was published at first in 1983 by Masaaki Hatsumi to help the work of Bujinkan’s students. They are two manuscript volumes containing the kihon. You have to do these “basic” techniques correctly in order to advance to the next level. If you know TenChiJin then can start the real learning.

The guidance has 3 levels.

Ten Ryaku no Maki  天略の巻 Heaven strategy scroll

  • Kamae 構 え – The right posture. When you can stand safe on your legs then you can step forth. Your posture shows your inner attitude. Therefore you have to be in good posture (kamae) in every moment.
  • Taihen jutsu 体 変術 – The art of the body changing. The ability to use our body correctly in any circumstances. You have to discover again the movements that perhaps you did last time when you were a child (Correct break-falls, rolls, jumps, climb). You have to learn walk again because all of the movements based on this.
  • Hōken Juroppō宝拳十六法 – Tthe sixteen striking treasures. You have to learn kick and punch correctly.
  • Kihon Happō Kata基本八法型 – Eight basic techniques. Sanpo no Kata (3) and Goho no Kata (5).
  • Gogyō no Kata五行の型 –  Five movement forms. (Chi, Sui, Ka, Fu, Ku no Kata)
  • Mutōdori Kata無刀捕型 – Unarmed techniques against an armed attacker.

Chi Ryaku no Maki 地略の巻 Earth strategy scroll

This part of the TenChiJin contains basics of the techniques what is used in a fight. These are the foundations of the next level of katas (techniques). You have to practice these movements until you are able to do them automatically.

  • Hajutsu Kyūhō –  破術九法 The nine methods of defeating techniques. It contains escapes from different grabs. These are simple reactions for kicking and striking in order to prevent being thrown.
  • Torite Kihon Dori no Kata– To Omote and Ura side.
  • Suwari Gata –  坐り型 Kneeling forms seven methods. Basics of ground-fighting.
  • Happō Keri Henka no Koto – 八法蹴変化之事 Various kicking combination drills.
  • Gyaku Waza– joint manipulation forms
  • Nage Kata– 投の形 Forms of throwing.
  • Shime Waza Gohō– Choking Techniques and escape from choking.

Jin Ryaku no Maki 人略の巻 Man strategy scroll

Jin Ryaku No Maki consists of a selected number of various Kata from the different Ryu-ha that are studied in the Bujinkan. You have to understand the principle of these techniques. The techniques are classified according to the following forms of attack:

  • Suwari Gata– 坐り型 Seated forms.
  • Katate Dori– One-hand grab.
  • Ryōte Dori -Both hand grab.
  • Tsuki– Striking with the hands.
  • Keri– Kicking.
  • Tsuki to Keri– Kicks and hand strikes.
  • Nage Kaeshi– 投返 Throwing counters.
  • Haibu Yori– 背部より Attack from behind.
  • Mutōdori Gata– 無刀捕型 No-sword capture form.
  • Santo Tonkō no Kata – 鼠逃遁甲の型 Forms of the escaping rat

Weapons

The use of weapons in Bujinkan is different than in other martial arts school.

Some school in Bujinkan ( for instance Kukishinden Ryu 九鬼神伝流) mostly uses traditional weapons that was used on battle field (Bō, Tachi 太刀). This is the reason why we use everyday objects and traditional weapons in our training. But the weapons used in the ninja schools are very different due to their application. The philosophy of the ninja schools is this you can use anything as a weapon and that different weapons have different functions (for example: you can use your sword like a bō). How you use weapons depends on your experience and creativity.

The most important Ninja weapon is his body and mind. Body and weapon are one. This is the principal of ken tai ichijô.

/// Traditional weapons ///Ninja-Waffen

  • Projectile weapons
  • Flexible weapons (rope, chain)
  • Sticks
  • Hard weapons (spears, lance, hatchet,)
  • Blades
  • Fire and explosive weapons
  • Combined weapons

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