OF TAKAGI YOSHIN RYU
1569 during the Yeiroku era (1568-1579) in the
Funagata Yama (mountain area) of Miyagi, there
was a Chinese mountain priest from the Abe family
called Unryu (Cloud Dragon), who was an expert
in the shuriken, bojutsu, yari, naginata and taijutsu
from the Amatsu Tatara Rinpo Hiden Makimono. The
Amatasu Tatara scroll was kept by the Abe, Nakatomi,
Otomo, and Monobe families (Takamatsu Sensei's
family and the Kuki family also possessed a copy).
The Dai Nippon Bugei Ryu-Ha gives Unryu's name
as Sounryu. He was a wandering Taoist monk, living
in Rikuzen Funagawa, not far from Sanroku Mountain.
Some historians have said that Unryu came from
Hieizaenji Yama in Kyoto. He studied Sessho hiden
no jutsu, a system that uses the yari. The Sessho
hiden no jutsu is also known as the Juppo sessho
Unryu taught this system with the yari to a samurai
from Katakura Kojuro (in Fukushima province) named
Ito Ki-i Morisatada (also
called Ito Sukesada). Ito was a famous martial
artist of that time (1570's) and the founder of
the Itto Ryu Kenko Ryu.
of the Takagi Yoshin Ryu scrolls from Takamatsu
Toshitsugu, to Hatsumi Masaaki, took place on
a lucky day in the 5th Month Showa 33 (May 1959).
LEVELS OF TRAINING IN TAKAGI YOSHIN RYU:
Hon Tai Takagi
Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu – Ueno Takaschi (Mizuta
Yoshin Ryu takes its techniques further than those
of Judo and Aikido. When the techniques are applied
it is made as difficult as possible for your assailant
to escape by rolling and breakfalling. This style
of Jujutsu comes from training within a building,
unlike other styles which originated outdoors.
Therefore the techniques result with the opponent
being thrown, locked, or held close to the body
due to being inside in a more confined area, instead
of throwing him a distance away from you as you
could outdoors. In the Takagi Yoshin Ryu you are
taught to look at the eyes, and use speed. You
are also trained to use your opponent's own weight
and momentum against him. One of the techniques
taught uses something called Rensa Sankaku (Three
Sticks), a movement used as a defense against
someone with a sword.