Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

BIKENJUTSU.................................................................................................................................................2
HIKEN NO HO............................................................................................................................................2
KENJUTSU..................................................................................................................................................4
KAMAE.....................................................................................................................................................4
SEIGAN NO KAMAE........................................................................................................................................4
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ICHI NO KAMAE..............................................................................................................................................5
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CHDAN NO KAMAE......................................................................................................................................6
GEDAN NO KAMAE.........................................................................................................................................7
TENCHI NO KAMAE........................................................................................................................................8
KASUMI NO KAMAE.......................................................................................................................................9
DAIJDAN NO KAMAE.................................................................................................................................10

KATA......................................................................................................................................................11
TSUKI KOMI...................................................................................................................................................11
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SAYU GYAKU.................................................................................................................................................12
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KIRI SAGE.......................................................................................................................................................16
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KINSHI (KASU DAI SOGE)............................................................................................................................18
..........................................................................................................................................................................18
KINSHI SAYU GYAKU..................................................................................................................................19
KOCHO GAESHI.............................................................................................................................................20
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SHIHO GIRI.....................................................................................................................................................22
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SHIHO GIRI SAYU GYAKU...........................................................................................................................23
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HAPPO GIRI.....................................................................................................................................................24
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HAPPO GIRI SAYU GYAKU..........................................................................................................................25
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TSUKI NO WA.................................................................................................................................................26
..........................................................................................................................................................................26
TSUKI NO WA SAYU GYAKU......................................................................................................................27
..........................................................................................................................................................................27
ENGEKI FUCHI...............................................................................................................................................29
HIMYO KEN....................................................................................................................................................30

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

BIKENJUTSU
HIKEN NO HO
The Secret sword methods of the Kukishinden Ry contain the teachings of Kenjutsu,
kodachijutsu and juttejutsu. The highest of the teachings were said by Takamatsu Sensei to be
that of the jutte which contains the teachings of the offensive and defensive use of the jutte and
tessen.
Toda Sensei, Takamatsus teacher, said to Takamutsu that the kenjutsu of the Kukishinden Ry
was superior to that of the Togakure Ry.
The sword of the Kukishinden Ry had a tsuka, or handle, that was longer than the swords used
in the other classical Ry, this allowed a greater amount of maneuverability when wielding the
blade.
The sword techniques of the school reflect the history of the school. The Kukishinden Ry was
primarily a battlefield art and so the practitioner of the Ry would be facing opponents who were
wearing armor and therefore the cuts in the techniques are aimed at areas that were unprotected
by the armor such as the wrist, elbow and neck. Also the Kuki Suigan, the Japanese Navy,
practiced the school at one stage. This is reflected in the low sword kamae, which would have
been necessary aboard a moving wet deck of a ship.
The Kukishinden Ry Hiken contains a teaching called Kasumi No Ho. This is translated as The
principle of the haze. It is said to be a state of mind for those studying the sword. One should
exert force only when necessary, and should relax completely at other times. This has the effect
of reducing the effects of fatigue that would be encountered during a drawn out battle, which
would leave the opponent tired and open to attack. Takamatsu sensei used a similar tactic to this
in a taijutsu contest that he had whilst he was in China when he was 26 years old. The contest
was with Choshiryu, a Shaolin Kung Fu master from the Santo province. It is said that he was so
strong that he lifted a 248lb barbell 100 times every morning. During the contest Choshiryu threw
many kicks and punches which Takamatsu (who at that time had the name of Jutaro) avoided by
using the butterfly dance technique which had conceived after a dream about a fight with a
demon the previous night. After two hours Takamatsu noticed that Choshiryu was out of breath
and he new that this was the time to attack. However, Lord Ren, a mutual friend of Takamatsu
and Choshiryu stopped the fight as he could see that Choshiryu had no chance of winning. It is
said that Takamatsu and Choshiryu became good friends.
It should be recognized that the sword is an extension of the taijutsu and that the whole body and
not just the hands and the arms should generate the movement of the sword. The movement of
the sword should be kept to a minimum .Not only did this reduce the effort needed to fight but it
also reduced the number of suki or weak points.
Finally, I will explain about Kukishinden Hiken no Ho. There is something taught in Kukishinden
Ry Hiken called Kasumi No Ho (The Principal of Haze), which is the state of mind for those
who are studying the sword. In essence, one puts forth strength only when necessary, and
relaxes completely at all other times. However, this does not mean being careless. Having
mastered this, regardless of how long a fight lasts, even if you tire the opponent out you will not
be fatigued yourself. It is crucial to work hard at training while keeping the above in mind. When
you are practicing, recognize that the sword is an extension of your taijutsu and use your entire

Mahoutsukai Dojo

Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

body while keeping the swords movement to a minimum, without trying to imitate the movements
with just your arms and hands. This is something that is true for the Kenpo (sword methods) of
every Ry-ha.
Quote from Manaka Unsui
As I have mentioned previously, in Kukishinden Ry Biken something called Kasumi no Ho (The
Principle of Haze) is taught. This is an attitude for those who are learning the sword. Essentially,
it is to use ones strength only when necessary, and at other times to remain completely relaxed.
The body should be just like a willow tree blown by the wind, and it is important to tire opponents
out by using kyojitsu (deception) to confuse them. In summation if you train to first defeat your
opponents spirit, next to defeat his technique, then to defeat his body, all three in rapid
succession, then however many enemies you face and hours you fight, even if the opponent
becomes tired you will not exhaust yourself. It is vital to train hard with the above in mind. The
techniques I will list next cannot be explained in writing, so I will only describe the important
points of each.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KENJUTSU
KAMAE

SEIGAN NO KAMAE

To freely handle or manipulate an opponent.

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

ICHI NO KAMAE

To change or adjust at will.

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

CHDAN NO KAMAE

The feeling of piercing the opponents heart with a very powerful will.

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

GEDAN NO KAMAE

To stop the opponent from making his first move.

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

TENCHI NO KAMAE

Against whatever attack, beating it down with one or two attacks.

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KASUMI NO KAMAE

Showing an opening that invites the opponent to attack.

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

DAIJDAN NO KAMAE

To pound an opponent down to the ground in the space of one breath, with a very strong intent.

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KATA
TSUKI KOMI

(U) right Jodan No Kamae to right Seigan No Kamae, jodan kiri

Before (U) completes cut, you kiai.
Slide right foot forward (moguri gata), drop to left knee, tsuki to (U) Suigetsu.
Opponent from Daijdan. From Seigan no Kamae, staring into the opponents eyes intently with
the feeling of piercing his breast.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

SAYU GYAKU

(U) Right Jodan No Kamae to right Seigan No Kamae, jodan kiri

Either step inside or outside, parry sword, and kaeshi giri to (U) uko.
Opponent from Daijdan. From Ichi no Kamae, knocking back the enemys attacking cut to either
the right or the left.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

TSUKI KAKE

(U) Jodan No Kamae to Seigan No Kamae, jodan kiri

Before (U) completes cut, fake tsuki.
(U) steps back
Step out to the left, yoko aruki, cutting as you walk by.
Opponent from Daijdan. From Seigan no Kamae against the opponents attacking cut, as in
Tsuke Komi stepping in with the right foot then sitting onto the left while thrusting in.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KIRI AGE

(U) Jodan No Kamae to Chudan No Kamae, jodan kiri

Step across left to outside and cut (U) kote.
Tsuki forward.
Opponent from Daijdan. From Chdan no Kamae, cutting upward from under the right arm
toward the left shoulder.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KIRI AGE SAYU GYAKU

(U) Jodan No Kamae to left Hasso No Kamae, jodan kiri

Step across right, cut under (U) cut, switch step kiri to (U) daimon.
Opponent from Daijdan. From Tenchi no Kamae, cutting upward through the left side of the
abdomen.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KIRI SAGE

(U) Jodan No Kamae to left Hasso No Kamae, jodan kiri

Step right to the inside, avoid ken.
Hit (U) kote with tsuba, trap kiri with tip to (U) uko.
Press with tsuba to throw (U).
Opponent from Daijdan. As before from Tenchi no Kamae, from a position of vying tsuba to
tsuba, pushing back and bringing the kissaki (sword tip) down to the left, shifting the body to the
right and cutting down into the enemys left shoulder.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KIRI SAGE SAYU GYAKU

(U) Jodan No Kamae to left Hasso No Kamae, jodan kiri

Step right to inside, avoid ken.
Hit (U) kote with tsuba.
Trap, push up, step left into (U).
Drop your ken, kiri as you step by.
HENKA
Kick to (U) koe, then tsuki over (U) hands.
Opponent as before. As above, this time shifting the body to the left and cutting upward from
under the right arm.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KINSHI (KASU DAI SOGE)

(U) Chudan No Kamae to left Gedan No Kamae

Make (U) think you're going to tsuki to his toki.
Move in small steps around, migi tobi, cut down to (U) kote.
Opponent from Daijdan. From Gedan No Kamae, shifting to the right side and cutting down into
the kote from above and to the left of the enemy.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KINSHI SAYU GYAKU

Responding as before and at the end cutting (U) kote upward or changing to tsuki.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KOCHO GAESHI

(U) Seigan No Kamae to Jodan No Kamae

Make (U) try to cut you.
Move in small steps around, tobi.
Kiri kata.
Tsuki.
Opponent from Seigan No Kamae. From Daijdan, staying in Daijdan shifting to the right lightly
just like a butterfly, at the same time cutting into the kote.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

KOSHO GAESHI SAYU GYAKU

As before shifting to the right, then cutting to (U) left shoulder, or changing to a tsuki.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

SHIHO GIRI

Left Hasso No Kamae.

Step 45 degrees up.
Switch step, left kiri 45 degrees up.

Opponent moves freely. From Tenchi Hasso No Kamae, cutting the enemys left do (abdomen)
with a reverse cut, turning the hands over and reverse-cutting to the right abdomen and
immediately thrusting inward.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

SHIHO GIRI SAYU GYAKU

Seigan No Kamae to Hasso No Kamae.

Step right kiri 45 degrees up.
Switch step, left kiri 45 degrees up.
Step right, tsuki.
Step left, jodan kiri.

As before, the last thrust comes as karatake wari (a straight-down cut to the head) from the front,
or gyaku susobarai (a reverse cut to the lower leg).
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

HAPPO GIRI

Left Hasso No Kamae.

Step right, kesa giri.
Switch step, left kesa giri.
Repeat four times.

Opponent moves freely. From Tenchi No Kamae, cutting downward under the left arm, then
shifting to the right and cutting downward the same way.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

HAPPO GIRI SAYU GYAKU

Left Hasso No Kamae.

Step right, kesa giri.
Switch step, left kesa giri.
Step right, jodan kiri.

As before, but cutting with karatake wari from directly in front.

Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

TSUKI NO WA

Seigan No Kamae.
Step right, tsuki to murasame.

Opponent moves freely. From Seigan No Kamae, thrusting into the enemys throat.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

TSUKI NO WA SAYU GYAKU

Seigan No Kamae.
Step right, tsuki to floating ribs (blade points out and you step in to push it through target).

As before, but thrusting into the opponents side.

Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

FUDO NO KEN

Kuden (oral transmission).

I shall omit the last three techniques since they have long been designated as kuden and are not
to be taught to everyone.
Quote from Manaka Unsui

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

ENGEKI FUCHI

Kuden

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Kukishinden Ryu Biken Jutsu

HIMYO KEN

Kuden.

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