Koto Ryu

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Kotō-ryū (虎倒流) is a school of koppojutsu(骨法術) , "shakenjutsu" (車剣術), and "kenjutsu" (剣術). This school specializes in using larger bones to strike weaker ones of your opponent.

The tradition of Koto Ryu koppojutsu began with Toda Sakyo Isshinsai during the Tenmon Era (1532 - 1550) after learning Gyokko Ryu shitojutsu from Sakagami Taro Kunishige. It is a sister art of "Gyokko Ryu" kosshijutsu (玉虎流骨指術). Toda taught both of these arts to Momochi Sandayu and they were handed down within Iga Ryu until reaching Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu in the late Tokugawa period. The foundation of "Togakure Ryu" ninpo comes from the unarmed combative movements of Koto Ryu and Gyokko Ryu.

It can be translated as "Knocking down the Tiger" School, which is an image shared with its sister school, Gyokko Ryu (also can be translated as "Jeweled Tiger School"). In addition Koto Ryu includes a 4 pointed "Shaken" along with "Kenjutsu".

This school is taught inside the "Bujinkan", "Genbukan", "Jinenkan" , "Kaminaga Shigemi" and under "Tanaka Fumon"

"Bujinkan" Lineage comes through "Takamatsu Toshitsugu", then to "Masaaki Hatsumi".

"Genbukan" Lineage comes through "Takamatsu Toshitsugu", then to "Sato Kinbei", since then "Shoto Tanemura" has founded Koto Ryu Tanemura-Ha

"Jinenkan" Lineage comes through "Takamatsu Toshitsugu", then to "Masaaki Hatsumi".

"Kaminaga Shigemi" Lineage comes through "Ueno Takashi" and his considered the Lineage Grandmaster by the governing Ko Ryu boards

"Tanaka Fumon" Lineage comes through "Kaminaga Shigemi" and is the respresentive Grandmaster

[edit] Formal 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 one.

Koppojutsu
- Kurai Dori (Postures)
- Shoden Gata (Beginning forms)
- Chuden Gata (Mid-level forms)
- Okuden Gata (Advanced forms)
- Hekito Gata (Unarmed defence against sword)
- Kaiden Gata (Master forms)