Traditional Japanese Bujutsu

This page contains, in alphabetical order, a number of traditional Japanese martial arts Ryu (schools) that might be of interest for serious students of Martial Arts. The list contains links - if available - to other sites that may have some more information. The links looks like this: [1]. I have also added links to a picture when possible. If you want to add items or links to the list, send me a message. I try to keep the information in the list historically correct, however, due to my limited knowledge of some ryu, errors might have occurred.

Before the restoration of the Meji era in 1868 a very large number of ryu existed, there was reckoned to be about 3000 ryu. Most of the ryu was created by noble Samurai, others simply by ronin or even common people. The ryu sometimes divided into branches, ha, as a result of the various masters composing new techniques or movements from old ones. The seat of a ryu was usually located were the founder lived. Some ryu were independent, others belonged to the great families, Daimyo. Each master had his own style, ryugi, and transmitted the secrets, okuden, of his style to a few chosen disciples. Most of the ryu which still existed before the second world war have now dissapeared, for the old masters are dead and the pupils have deserted the dojo. According to the Bujutsu Ryu Soroku, a work published in 1843, there were in Japan at that date some 150 important Ryu; 66 teaching Ken-Jutsu and Iai-Jutsu, 31 teaching So-Jutsu, 20 teaching Ju-Jutsu, 19 in the use of firearms and 14 devoted to Kyu-Jutsu. Any Bujutsu/Budo system established before 1877 are recognised as Ko Ryu (old schools). Thereafter they are known as Gendai Bujutsu, or modern martial arts. Some ryu in this list, like the Chujo Ryu, are now extinct, others, like the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, still flourish today, dating back more than 500 years.

In order to preserve the old styles and traditions the Dai Nippon Butokukai was founded in 1895 by the Japanese government. The headquarters, the Butokuden, is seated in Kyoto. The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai (Society for the Promotion of Japanese Classical Martial Arts) also sponsors a demonstration of the classical martial arts at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, on November 3 each year.

Anually, there is a kobudo demonstration at the Budokan. This event, held for the first time in 1978, is the premiere classical martial arts demonstration in Japan, Co-sponsored by the Nippon Budokan and the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai. Schools demonstrate by invitation only, and not all member traditions of the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai participate each year.

If you are interested in genuine Japanese Swords I highly recommend


Aoi Art, Tokyo

The list contains 169 different Ryu. Last updated 1999-05-31