Kukishinden Ryû Happo Hikenjutsu “School of the Nine Demon Gods” Dr. Hatsumi is the 28th Soke.


Characteristics
This school is most famous in the Bujinkan for its many different weapon techniques.
It is a complete fighting system and battlefield art based on unarmed fighting, bo, hanbo, yari and naginata techniques as well as techniques for throwing projectiles. Techniques are done assuming the combatants are wearing armor, and the movements reflect this. This system may have been used as a naval art, and consequently the movements are designed to be used on a ship that is slippery and rocking. Bo ryaku, or special strategy, was also taught, as was Sui & Ka ren, (use of fire and water), Onshinjutsu (disguise and invisibility techniques) Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, studied Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu, under Kuki clan, and later he created a new system, called Kukishin aikido. There are several ryuha (schools), but only a few of them kept the ninja tradition, the rest of them lost or changed that aspect. Literally translated: "nine demons' divine transmission", "eight secret weapons arts".


Brief History
This school was founded in the mid 1300’s by Izumo Kanja Yoshitero. It is believed that this Ryu came from China and although first written materials date from the Kamakura period, it's considered to be older. The emperor Go-Daigo gave the name "Kuki" to the Samurai Yasushimaru Takazaneu, who helped him in a battle, saying that he fought like nine demons (Kuki). Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru organized the Ryu with all it's specialties. The fourth generation, under the leadership of Kuki Nagato, formalised Kukishin Ryu completely.

"A Grasp of Space Transcending Time"


The Traditions of the Nine Demon Gods (Sometimes written Kukishin Ryu in english)
The techniques in Kukishinden ryu are said to have come from China and the land beyond China. The Kukishinden ryu was developed in the Kumano prefecture. During the life of the school it was employed by Japanese seamen to help protect them. This greatly influenced the schools techniques and weapons. Warriors of the Kukishinden ryu are said to have used masts and rigging during combat. In 1330 the Japanese Emperor Go Daigo was held under house arrest at the Kazan-in, the Royal Summer Palace on Yoshino mountain, be the Shogun Ashikaga Takauji. It was Kusunoki Masashige, a high ranking samurai loyal to the Emperor who was ordered to effect a rescue attempt. Masashige had in his employment a young sixteen year old Gyoja (mountain ascetic) from Kishu, south of Nara, named Yasushimaru Kurando. Kurando was well known to be skilled in Ninjutsu and other Bujutsu arts and so was given the task of rescuing the Emperor. Aided by another samurai named Kagoshima, Kurando managed to infiltrate the Kazan in, and upon reaching the emperor disguised him [the Emperor] as a woman. Unfortunately the Ashikaga samurai were alerted when Kurando attempted to croos the "Hizume corridor" with the emperor on his back. This wooden corridor was specially designed to make loud sound as was walked on, thus alerting the guards. Kurando and the emperor were surrounded, placing the Emperor with his back against a nearby tree, Kurando faced his oncoming adversaries armed with his Naginata (halberd). One by one they attacked him, and he cut them down with his Naginata, until only their samurai officer was left. This man was a highly skilled martial artist, and as Kurando cur at him with the Naginata he retaliated by cutting the blade of the Naginata cleanly away from the shaft. Now armed only with a wooden pole, Kurando defended himself and the Emperor with a secret Rokushakubo (6th staff) technique called "Gyaku Kuji". Upon defeating the samurai officer Kurando and the Emperor Go Daigo made good their escape, and then with Kagishima he escorted the Emperor back to the capital Kyoto.

In recognition for this brave act the emperor gave Kurando permission to use the "Kuki" of Kukishinden Ryu, which suggests that he fought like "Nine Demons". Although formalised at this time, the Kukishinden Ryu has a history stretching back to the Kamakura Era (1180's), with techniques that are said to originate in China and the Lands beyond.
Kukishinden ryu hanbojutso is the main weapon taught to students of ninjutsu in the world today and is the third school in Bujinkan.
Sensei Ueshiba the founder of modern Aikido, in his youth studied the art of Kukishinden ryu Happo Hiken jutsu from the Kuki family.



Soke of Kukishinden Ryu
Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru
Izumo Koshiro Terunobu
Izumo Matsushiro Teruhide
Izumo Bungo Yoshiteru
Izumo Kanja Yoshitaka
Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru
Ohkuni Kisanata Kiyosumi
Tsutsumi Hakushi Mori Ritsuzan
Kuriyama Ukongen Nagafusa
Arima Koshinosuke Masayoshi
Ohkuni Kogenta Yukihisa
Kazama Shinkuro Hidechika
Ohkuni Kihei Shigenobu Genroku Era (1688)
Otone Sakon Yasumasa
Otone Genpachi Yoshihide
Otone Gengoro Yasuhira
Awaji Nyudo Chikayasu
Kurama Kotaro Genshin
Ohkuni Izumo Mori Shigehiro Kokwa Era (1844)
Sugino Juheita Kanemitsu
Hisahara Genjuro Yoshitane
Hisahara Kotaro Nobuyoshi
Ishitani Takeoi Matsatsugu (approx. death 1905)
Ishitani Matsutaro Takekage (approx. death 1911)
Takamatsu Toshitsugu b. 1887 - d. 1972
Hatsumi Masaaki b.1931 -