An Overall View of Bujinkan Budo (Ninpo) Taijutsu

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An Overall View of Bujinkan Budo (Ninpo) Taijutsu​​

​The official name of our art is Bujinkan Budo (Ninpo) Taijutsu. Taijutsu is divided into several sub-systems:

Dakentaijutsu (striking techniques)
- Koppojutsu (strikes against bones)
- Koshijutsu (strikes against muscles/nerves)                                                                                         

Jutaijutsu (body techniques)
- Nagewaza (throws)
- Shimewaza (strangulation)                                                                                                                   

Taihenjutsu (body changing techniques)
- Ukemi (breakfall)
- Kaiten (rolls)
- Hichojutsu (leaps and jumps)
- Walking

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Good Taijutsu doesn't mean mastering many techniques. Good Taijutsu means the ability to judge :

• Ma-ai - the distance between you and your opponent's weapons.
• Timing - the execution of a technique at the exact time; not too late or too early.
• Nagare - the execution of one technique to another without stopping even though the previous one does not work.

Taijutsu techniques are done without effort, and little muscle power. The whole body weight must be involved.

Taijutsu basics come from 9 Bujinkan Ryuha. Gyokko-Ryu is the most important. There are several stages to follow:

• Sanshin no Kata (from Gyokko-Ryu) 
• These are 5 basic exercises to learn our evasions, blocks, strikes, balance, etc.                                                 
• Kihon Happo (from Gyokko-Ryu)
• Eight basic principles said to be the origin of all Budo.                                                                                      
• Shinden Kihon (Ten Chi Jin Ryaku no Maki)
• These are a number of basic techniques from the 9 Bujinkan Schools (Ryuha).                                        
• Ryuha Techniques and Henka's
• More techniques from the traditional schools with their own characteristics and specialties.