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Koto Ryu Koppojutsu (虎倒流骨法術)
translates as "Tiger Knock Down School". The exact origin of Koto Ryu is unknown, it was probably
brought to Japan from what
today is Korea by a person named Chan Buso in the 16th Century.
There went several generations before the system was organized by Sakagami Taro Kunishige. It was took two generations more
until Toda Sakyo Ishinsai formally formed Koto Ryo Koppojutsu as a Ryu. Sakagami Taro Kunishige was considered as the first
Soke in Koto Ryu, but Bando Kotaro Minamoto Masahide, the one that was to be the 2nd Soke died in battle 1542. Instead the
Ryu went to Sougyoku Kan Ritsushi who also was the Soke of Gyokko Ryu. There after the Koto Ryu was following the same family
line as Gyokko Ryu. The difference as apposed to Gyokko Ryu was that Koto
Ryu was only taught to the person that would become the next Soke.
 Five Levels of the Koto Ryu
Kurai Dori.....5
kamae
Shoden no Kata.....18 techniques
Chuden no
Kata.....12 techniques
Okuden no Kata.....12
techniques
Hekito no Kata.....8 techniques
Koppojutsu means to destroy the bone structure on the attacker. What specializes the Koto Ryu techniques is
that distance is created by moving along with the attack, then moving forward with a strike and then move quickly out to a
safe distance again. This is done to come in with a strike at exactly 90 degrees against the bone structure of the attacker
to do the most damage. To do this demands good timing and rhythm in the defensive attack, often done with Yoko Aruki (moving
with the legs crossing each other). Another important part of the footwork is to hit the attackers toki (the top of the foot),
by kicking or stepping on it to control his balance.
Because of the hard character of the Koto Ryu techniques
it demands hard discipline training to harden the body. Takamatsu Toshitsugu started his training in Koto Ryu when he was
nine years old, and was considered a Koto Ryu master when he was 13 years old. In his self biography he has written that he
got hard fingers and toes by hitting stone and gravel until the blood came through the finger and toenails. Shako Ken (claw
hand) is one of the strikes that is used in Koto Ryu. There are story's about Takamatsu Sensei in the 1960's when he convinced
Koizume Shizuo, a journalist from the Tokyo Sport Newspaper, by literally drilling five holes through the bark of a tree with
his Shako Ken finger strike. Koto Ryu also has an unusual way of using the katana. Koto Ryu is one of the very few Ryu that
sometimes changes the grip of the sword by holding it with the left hand near the tsuka. This gives multiple ways of holding
the sword with crossed arms that would totally confuse the attacker, and sometimes convince him that the stylist was an amateur
and an easy opponent.
Koto Ryu Sanpo Gassho
"Three Treasures"
These are the same kuji that appear
in the Gyokko Ryu. The three treasures are listed as the Gassho Kuji Kiri (Nine Symblo Slashes Prayers).
Kongo - Cloud Prayer
Suirin - Water Ring Prayer
Kaku Gassho - Fire and Wind Prayer
Koto Ryu Koppojutsu Lineage
1. Sakagami, Taro Kunishige.....Tembun
era (1532)
2. Sakagami, Minamoto Masahide.....Tembun
era (1532)
3. Sogyokkan, Ritsushi.....Tembun era (1532)
4.
Toda, Sakyo Ishinsai.....Tembun era (1532)
5. Momochi, Sandayu I.....Tembun era (1532) (died 1581)
6. Momochi, Sandayu II.....Tensho era (1573)
7. Momochi, Tanba Yasumitsu.....Bunroku era (1595)
8. Momochi, Taro Saemon.....Genna era (1615)
9. Toda, Seiryu Nobutsuna.....Kwanyei era (1624)
10. Toda, Fudo Nobuchika.....Manji era (1658)
11. Toda, Kangoro Nobuyasu.....Tenna era (1681)
12. Toda, Eisaburo Nobumasa.....Hoyei era (1704)
13. Toda, Shingoro Masayoshi.....Shotoku era (1711)
14. Toda, Daigoro Masayoshi.....Gembun era(1736)
15. Toda, Daisaburo Chikashige.....Bunkwa era (1804)
16. Toda, Shinryuken Masamitsu (Kobe).....1824-1908
17. Takamatsu, Toshitsugu..... (1909) 1887-1972
18. Hatsumi, Masaaki.....(1968) 1931- CURRENT
HISTORICAL
DISCLAIMER:
When searching for information regarding secret societies and old
martial arts schools of training, it is very hard if not impossible to find all
of the information regarding the history of the arts. The information that I
have placed on all of
the seven traditions (ryuha) that are
studied within the Budo Ryu Kai (Koka-ryu Kempo, Tenjin-ryu Jujutsu,
Tomo-ryu Shinobijutsu, Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu, Koto-ryu Koppojutsu, Gyokko-ryu
Kosshijutsu & Togakure-ryu Ninpo Taijutsu) may be entirely wrong &
inaccurate. The information that I have
listed is the information that I gathered from my teachers, my training and my personal
research of the arts. This historical information
of the seven traditions taught within the Budo Ryu Kai I feel is
correct based on my personal training and research.
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