Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Taijutsu : A ninja's path

Taijutsu meaning "Body Technique" is a term for a Japanese martial arts technique that rely solely on body dynamics as opposed to weapons and other devices. Here, one learns to use all of one’s body and not just one’s limbs separately. The base of this training, at least in the first stages, is the movement, what in Japanese is called Tai Sabaki.

The Japanese term "Taijutsu" is synonymous with the Art of the Ninja. Taijutsu translates as "The Way or Art of the Body." It ususally is associated with the Ancient Japanese Empty Hand Techniques practiced by the Ninja and a few other Ancient Martial Ryuha or lineages. The words are easy enough to understand. However, the Art of the Body is not. Notice the name is not the "Art of the Body Parts." It is simply the "Art of the Body." One Completely Unified Body. This concept goes all the way back to the Chinese origins of the Japanese Martial Arts where the Chinese say : "If One Joint Moves, All Nine Joints Move." This is really profound and difficult to understand on the Physical Level. If you tilt your head slightly, just one joint, your neck, will have moved. Therefore, every other joint in your body will have to shift slightly in order to keep your Structural Integrity intact. If this does not happen, you will lose the Harmony and Balance between your "In" and "Yo" or Yin and Yang. After that, the flow of your Ki or Internal Energy will not be correct and the skill level of your Taijutsu will become much lower. You will have to depend more on local muscle strength and less on whole body power to accomplish your goals. Ki unties your whole body. It is the only one thing that connects the distant parts together. How else can the power from your foot drive your hand? There is no one muscle or even one nerve that travels that whole distance. Yet, with the proper alignment, you can easily feel the power flow from your feet to your finger tips!

Taijutsu techniques may include strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws such as those found in martial arts like jujutsu, judo and karate, etc. While most of its aspects appear external, the student will find many internal aspects as well.

Taijutsu techniques may include strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws such as those found in martial arts like jujutsu, judo and karate, etc. While most of its aspects appear external, the student will find many internal aspects as well.

Taijutsu techniques may include strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws such as those found in martial arts like jujutsu, judo and karate, etc. While most of its aspects appear external, the student will find many internal aspects as well.

As an example, here's an excerpt from the Bujinkan-Ninpo-Togakure-ryu ninjutsu curriculum:
  • Taijutsu (body art/movement)

    • junan taiso (body conditioning)

    • taihenjutsu (body movement)

      • ukemi (going to the ground safely)

      • kaiten (rolling)
      • tobi (leaping)

    • dakentaijutsu (striking methods)
      • koppojutsu (bone attacks)
      • koshijutsu (muscle attacks)

    • jutaijutsu (grappling methods)
      • nage (throws)
      • hajutsu (escapes)
      • gyakuwaza (locks and controls)
      • shimewaza (chokes)


Budo Taijutsu is comprised of nine schools, only three of which are actually ninjutsu ryu. The nine schools are:

  • Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu (Hidden Door School)
  • Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu (Jewel Tiger School)
  • Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu (Nine Demon Gods School)
  • Koto Ryu Koppojutsu (Tiger Knocking Down School)
  • Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu (Immovable Heart School)
  • Takagi yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu (High Tree, Raised Heart School)
  • Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu (Truth, Loyalty and Justice School)
  • Gyokushin Ryu Kosshijutsu/Ninjutsu (Jeweled Heart School)
  • Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo (Hiding in the Clouds School)


Unlike many martial arts, Budo Taijutsu has continued to evolve and adapt to each passing generation. As some styles are locked into practicing techniques designed to be effective against now defunct weapons and strategies, Budo Taijutsu teaches the practitioner how to deal with the dangers of an ever-changing modern society.

Living martial traditions must change and adapt with the times. Budo Taijutsu is the antitheosis of this idea. The basic idea, or "feeling" remains the same, the applications change. Budo Taijutsu is effective whether you're fighting unarmed, with a traditional weapon, or a modern weapon.

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