Kukishin Ryu

Kukishin Ryu belongs to the family of Takagi-Ryu styles and was for centuries part of Hontai Yoshin Ryu. Only in the 1980s was this school separated from Hontai Yoshin Ryu Takagi Ryu and trained as a school of its own.

Kukishin Ryu cannot be trained in Switzerland. It is, however, possible to train the Kukishin techniques through the sister school Motoha Yoshin Ryu.

The history of Kukishin Ryu

Kukishin Ryu was founded as Takagi Ryu in the 14th century and is known for its emphasis on weapon techniques. It has been passed on over generations by masters of Kukishin Ryu.

Techniques

Kukishin Ryu comprises both unarmed and armed techniques. Some of the weapons used in Kukishin Ryu are the Bo (staff), the Jo (short staff), the Tanto (knife) and the Katana (sword). The techniques with these weapons include strikes, blocks, thrusts and parries. The unarmed techniques include strikes, kicks, throws, joint locks and pressure-point attacks.

One of the distinctive aspects of Kukishin Ryu is the emphasis on adapting to different situations, such as fighting in confined space or in open terrain.

Significance

Kukishin Ryu is an important martial art because it represents a rich cultural heritage. It has been passed on over generations by masters and stresses the importance of respect, discipline and honour. Students are taught to respect their teachers and their fellow students, and they are expected to conduct themselves with integrity both inside and outside the dojo.

Beyond that, Kukishin Ryu is important because of the weight it places on practicality and efficiency. The techniques are designed to work in real situations, and they can be adapted to different scenarios. That makes Kukishin Ryu a useful martial art for self-defence, but also for improving physical fitness and mental concentration.