Gyokko-ryu is a school of kosshijutsu (attacks to muscle and nerve points), shitojutsu (using the thumb and fingers for striking), kenjutsu, and bojutsu. Gyokko-ryu is sometimes referred to as Gyokko Ryu Ninpo from a ninjutsu component it used to contain.
According to the Bujinkan, Cho Gyokko brought the school to Japan from China during the Tang Dynasty and it was handed down from generation to generation. Sakagami Taro Kunishige organized Gyokko Ryu shitojutsu. In the Tenmon period (1532 - 1550), he taught it to Sakyo Isshinsai who created Gyokko Ryu kosshijutsu. Its sister school is the Koto Ryu, also created by him. Both Gyokko Ryu and the aforementioned Koto Ryu were taught by him to Momochi Sandayu, who carried on the traditions within Iga Ryu until the late Tokugawa period (mid 19th Century). Techniques from Gyokko Ryu and Koto Ryu became the foundation for techniques of Togakure Ryu.
The school is roughly divided into three sections: unarmed against unarmed, unarmed against kodachi, and unarmed against sword.
The Denkei (list of previous Soke) of the Gyokko-ryu, is as follows
- Ikai (Cho Buren) 1056
- Gamon Doshi
- Garyu Doshi
- Hachiryu Nyudo
- Tozawa Hakuunsai Hogen 1156-1159
- Tozawa Shosuke Oho 1161-1162
- Suzuki Saburo Shigeyoshi Joan 1171-1180
- Suzuki Gobei
- Suzuki Kojiro Mitsu
- Tozawa Soun Sho O 1288
- Tozawa Nyudo Geneai
- Yamon Hyoun
- Kato Ryu Hakuun Oei 1394
- Sakagami Goro Katsushige Tembun 1532
- Sakagami Taro Kunishige Tembun 1532
- Sakagami Kotaro Masahide Tembun 1532
- Sogyokkan Ritsushi Tembun 1532
- Sakyo Ishinsai Tembun 1532
- Momochi Sandayu I Tembun 1542-1555
- Momochi Sandayu Ii Tensho 1573-1591
- Momochi Tanba Yasumitsu Bunroku 1595-1615
- Momochi Taro Saemon Genna 1615-1624
- (unknown)
- (unknown)
- (unknown)
- (unknown)
- Seiryu Nobutsuna Kwanyei 1624-1644
- Fudo Nobuchika Manji 1658-1681
- Kangoro Nobuyasu Tenna 1681-1704
- Eisaburo Nobumasa Hoyei 1704-1711
- Shinbei Masachika Shotoku 1711-1736
- Shingoro Masayoshi Gembun 1736-1764
- Daigoro Chikahide Meiwa 1764-1804
- Daisaburo Chikashige Bunkwa 1804
- Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu B. 1824 - D. 1909
- Takamatsu Toshitsugu Uoh B. 1887 - D. 1972
- Masaaki Hatsumi B. 1931 – Present
Formal Techniques Of Gyokko Ryu
The waza (techniques) and kata (forms) of the Ryu are written in the densho (scroll) in a particular order, which is the order that they should be learned, master one before moving on to the other. The densho is organised according to the following levels:
- Ki Gata (The postures of Gyokko Ryu, includes methods of moving within them)
- Torite Kihon Gata and Moto Gata (These are the fundamental techniques that make up the system)
- Joryaku no Maki (Contains various forms, each form contains principles that the practitioner needs to understand)
- Churyaku no Maki (Contains more forms, these are more advanced than Joryaku no Maki forms)
- Geryaku no Maki (Contains very advanced forms)
