What is Ninpo Tai Jutsu?

Ninpo Tai Jutsu is a traditional Japanese martial art, often more commonly known by the term Ninjutsu, although this can be misleading.  Today Ninpo Tai Jutsu is a collection of nine old Martial Arts including several Ju Jutsu, Karate and Aikido schools, as well as specific schools of Ninjutsu.

When we study Ninpo Tai Jutsu we generally study the Ju Jutsu, Karate and Aikido schools of self defence, when we study Ninjutsu we specifically study the schools which relate to Ninjutsu.

So, what’s the difference between Ninpo Tai Jutsu and Ninjutsu?

In simplistic terms, in Ninpo Tai Jutsu we engage with an attacker and use techniques, punching, kicking, locking, holding etc. from with those schools to defeat an attacker.   For example;

The collective physical techniques are drawn from many Ryu Ha (traditional schools), each with a slightly different emphasis.

Daken Taijutsu includes striking and kicking methods that utilise the movement of the whole body to generate the maximum amount of power.

Taihenjutsu includes evasion techniques, breakfalls and tumbling skills.

Kosshi Jutsu (pressure point methods) and Koppo Jutsu (breaking methods) involve attacking the weak points of the body in order to defend against a stronger attacker.

Ju Taijutsu includes grappling techniques.  Ninpo Ju Taijutsu includes ground fighting but is more in line with staying on your feet wherever possible.  Ju Taijutsu includes locking & pinning techniques, as well as throws, chokes and escape methods.

It’s widely accepted that the 6 schools of Ninpo Tai Jutsu are;

Gyokko Ryu Kosshi Jutsu (玉虎流骨指術)
Kuki Shinden Happo Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)
Koto Ryu Koppo Jutsu (虎倒流骨法術)
Shinden Fudo Ryu Daken Tai Jutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術)
Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutai Jutsu (高木揚心流柔体術)
Gikan Ryu Koppo Jutsu (義鑑流骨法術)

It’s widely accepted that the 3 schools of Ninjutsu are;

Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo (玉心流忍法)
Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo (雲隠流忍法)
Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術)

Ninjutsu is less about engaging with an attacker or enemy, it’s much more about a system used for the specific purpose of espionage and information gathering.  Direct confrontation was the last possible course of action.