Gyokko-ryu (02)
Igor Muratov
Kosshijutsu are split into three main parts:
Joryaku no maki - Unarmed vs Unarmed
Churyaku no maki - Unarmed vs Tanto or Kodachi
Geryaku no maki - Unarmed vs Ken or Yari
Mutodori from Geryaku no maki are techniques against sword or spear and is
considered to be the highest, and most difficult level of Gyokko ryu.
Gyokko ryu was, beside the Koshijutsu, also known for its methods with
Katana, Tanto and Bo. Except for some methods with Bo, very much of this is
unknown. The methods with Bo are mainly built on the movements of Ki Kata.
No available information gives any evidence of special techniques with the
Bo, but it is used as an reinforcement of the ordinary Kosshijutsu methods.
Maybe this is an evidence that the Bo-staff was not considered as a weapon
against armed opponents at the battlefield, where it's normal to use the
advantage of the length of the staff to create more distance to armed
opponents. More of this will probably be known, however, since Hatsumi
Masaaki is releasing more information on the subject.
According to Bugei Ryu Ha Daijiten, Gyokko ryu is a Ninpo school, but
Hatsumi Masaaki does refer to it as a school of Kosshijutsu and says that
the Kosshijutsu is the backbone of many of the other systems in Iga. So far
there have not been any rumours about techniques of espionage from Gyokko
ryu, but strategy and philosophy are important areas of the teaching. That
are clearly shown by the following prayers that belongs to Gyokko ryu:
Ten Ryaku Uchu Gassho - prayer to heaven and universe
Chi Ryaku Futen Goshin Gassho - prayer to the circle of wind
Jin Ryaku Chi Sui Ka Fu Henka Ryaku - prayer to the circle of earth, water
(Hanno Hon Itsu Gassho) fire and wind.
This is followed by sayings like Shin Shingan, Gods heart and eyes, Kurai
Dori, to evaluate the situation and "Bushigokoro wo motte totoshi no nasu",
which means "The heart of a warrior is precious and essential". Shin Shingan
can be described as the ability to apprehend situations without thinking, or
to develop the ability to trust intentions.
There are also Gassho Kuji Kiri. Gassho means to put the hands together in
prayer, and kuji kiri is one way to focus ones intention in an attempt to
surpass the gap between the subconscious and the conscious acting. In Gyokko
ryu this is called Sanpo Gassho, which means three treasures:
Kongo - clouds
Suirin - ring of water
Kaku Gassho - fire and wind
Much of the philosophy and strategy in Gyokko ryu are taught by Kuden, mouth
to mouth teachings. there are also secrets in the ryu, so called Hiden. This
is not always written down, but passed from grandmaster to grandmaster as
Kuden. One of those Kuden says "Kuden Hissho Ho", which means "always win".
The explanation of the saying is that never let the opponent win, but never
use stronger techniques than are necessary. This is an important strategy,
because it is important not to reveal the full potential of ones abilities.
There are also a strategy in Gyokko ryu that is named Tenmon Chimon, which
means the techniques of heaven and earth. The meaning of it is unknown so
far...
The following nine rules, Ninja no Kissoku, are supposed to come from Gyokko
ryu:
The character (nin), means to guard the nation with one's life
Forget self, be patient, fear not dying
Say or show nothing in danger
As a strong enemy comes, keep indomitable spirit
Serve and protect, the master the same way as your parents
Vices dissipate your proficiency
Being drunk affects your judgement
Destroy the enemyEs power but spare his life
Teach not to others without the masterEs permission
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Kazu - The genealogy of Gyokko-ryu
Ikai
Hogenbo, Tesshun
Sasabe, Tendo
Hachiryu, Nyudo
Tozawa, Hakuunsai
Tozawa, Shozuke
Suzuki, Saburo Shigeyoshi
Suzuki, Gobei
Suzuki, Kojiro Mitsu
Tozawa, Nyudo Geneai Yamon, Hyoun
Kato, Ryu Hakuun
Sakagami, Goro Katsushige
Sakagami, Taro Kunishige
Sakagami, Kotaro Masahide
Sougyoko, Kan Ritsushi
Toda, Sakyo Ishinsai
Momochi, Sandayu 1
Momochi, Sandayu 2
Momochi, Tanba Yasumitsu
Momochi, Taro Saemon Toda, Seiryu Nobutsuna
Toda, Fudo Nobuchika
Toda, Kangoro Nobuyasu
Toda, Eisaburo Nobumasa
Toda, Shinbei Masachika
Toda, Shingoro Masayoshi
Toda, Daigoro Chikashige
Toda, Daisaburo Chikashige
Toda, Shinryuken Masamitsu
Takamatsu, Toshitsugu
Hatsumi, Masaaki
Ikai
Area: ?
Era: ?
During the chinese Tang Dynasty. The teachings went through Ikai, Hogenbo
Tesshun, Sasabe Tesshun, Hachiryu Nyudo until it reached Hakuunsai Tozawa.
Hogenbo, Tesshun
Area: ?
Era: ?
During the chinese Tang Dynasty. The teachings went through Ikai, Hogenbo
Tesshun, Sasabe Tesshun, Hachiryu Nyudo until it reached Hakuunsai Tozawa.
Sasabe, Tendo
Area: ?
Era: ?
During the chinese Tang Dynasty. The teachings went through Ikai, Hogenbo
Tesshun, Sasabe Tesshun, Hachiryu Nyudo until it reached Hakuunsai Tozawa.
Hachiryu, Nyudo
Area: ?
Era: Tenei (1110)
During the chinese Tang Dynasty. The teachings went through Ikai, Hogenbo
Tesshun, Sasabe Tesshun, Hachiryu Nyudo until it reached Hakuunsai Tozawa.
Tozawa, Hakuunsai
Area: ?
Era: Hogen (1156-1159)
He is considered to be the first Soke of Gyokko Ryu. From him the expression
"Banpen Fugyo" comes wich means that "this is the spirit of change". There
is a fable about Sasuke Sarutobi that was written at the end of the Meiji
period wich mentions Hakuunzai Tozawa as his teacher, it is not very likely
that he was.
Tozawa, Shozuke
Area: ?
Era: Oho (1161-1162)
Suzuki, Saburo Shigeyoshi
Area: ?
Era: Joan (1171-1180)
Suzuki, Gobei
Area: ?
Era:
Suzuki, Kojiro Mitsu
Area: ?
Era: Kamakura (1288)
Tozawa, Nyudo Geneai
Area: ?
Era: Nambuko
Yamon, Hyoun
Area: ?
Era: Muromachi
Kato, Ryu Hakuun
Area: ?
Era: Oei (1394)
Sakagami, Goro Katsushige
Area: ?
Era: Tembun (1532)
Sakagami, Taro Kunishige
Area: ?
Era: Tembun (1542)
Also Soke in... Koto Ryu
He organised the ryu into the Gyokko Ryu Shitojutsu. He was also the founder
of Koto ryu, wich originally came from Korea/China several generations
earlier.
Sakagami, Kotaro Masahide
Area: ?
Era: Tembun
Also Soke in... Koto Ryu
Sougyoko, Kan Ritsushi
Area: ?
Era: Tembun
Also Soke in... Koto Ryu
He was either from the Kishu Ryu or Kishu Han changed the name to Gyokko Ryu
Kosshijutsu, as it is known by today. He had three students Akimoto Kanai
Moriyoshi who's student founded Gikan Ryu, Sasaki Gendayu Sadayasu who
founded Gyokushin Ryu, and Toda Sakyo Ishinsai who became the next Soke of
Gyokko Ryu and Koto Ryu.
Toda, Sakyo Ishinsai
Area: ?
Era: Tembun
Also Soke in... Koto Ryu
Momochi, Sandayu 1
Area: ?
Era: Tembun (ca 1542-1555)
Also Soke in... Koto Ryu, Momochi Ryu
He was active in Iga no Ran - (The big battle of Iga). He was also the Soke
in Momochi ryu and Koto ryu. It is also believed that he and Fujibayashi
Nagato was the same person.
Momochi, Sandayu 2
Area: ?
Era: Tensho (ca 1570-1592)
Also Soke in... Koto Ryu
Momochi, Tanba Yasumitsu
Area: ?
Era: Bunroku (1596-1615)
Also Soke in... Koto Ryu
He was the lord of Tatsukuchi castle.