12-22-2000, 06:57 AM
Can anyone help me find anymore info on the art of Unryu Sogo Bujutsu formerly known as Unryu Sogo Kenjutsu. I have been starting to research more deeply into this art that I study and would like any help that you could give.
Here is the info that I have.
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History and lineage of Unryu Sogo Jujutsu and Yuki Ryu Ninjutsu
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The history of Japan is divided into periods named after the ruling clan of that period. The Ashikaga period lasted from 1336 to 1568. Nearing the end of Ashikaga period, Uesugi Kenshin was the daimyo (landlord) of Echigo. Uesugi fought several battles against the famous lord Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) and they both used several kinds of warriors in their armies. Historically the body of the army was compiled of bushi-warriors (samurai-class) and ashigaru (footsoldiers, lower class). To support the losing battle Uesugi conscripted peasants as ji-samurai, giving them basic training and weaponry (spears and muskets). Especially the firearms made the ji-samurai succesful class of warriors. As peasants they were also able to work as spies, penetrating the guarded areas of Takeda's forces to gather intelligence (information about terrain, enemy troops, etc.).
Takeuchi Katsu was a ji-samurai under Uesugi Kenshin and learned the arts of sojutsu (spearfighting), hojutsu (firearms, signal fires) and methods of disguise and map-drawing. Uesugi's army eventually lost the battle and the surviving soldiers often fled or faced harsh conditions under enemy rule. Katsu took the name of his childhood friend who had died young. Using the name Unryu Katsu he travelled as ronin (unemployed samurai), looking for work. Katsu lived in a temple for about two years, studying both arts and bujutsu (warrior arts).
Having become skilled bushi, Katsu was hired to the army of Oda Nobunaka. His skills in firearms and intelligence operations were respected by his general Takeda Katsuyori and got to use them at Nagashino in 1575. After honorable service he died on the battlefield from a bullet wound.
His son Unryu Katsuhide had been his student and continued training and working under Takeda for some time, leading his own musket-squad. When Nobunaka's time of rule ended, Katsuhide left the army and begun musha shugyo (warrior's austere journey) in order to perfect his skills. Later he finally settled down in a small village in the Iga-region. Katsuhide had lots of horses and other useful animals and he also worked as a law enforcer in the village. His bujutsu was labelled as Unryu Sogo Kenjutsu.
His warrior tradition consisted of these arts:
-kenjutsu, iaijutsu (8 sword kata)
-sojutsu (10 spear and staff kata)
-hojutsu (2 musket kata)
-hojojutsu (5 cord and rope kata)
-taijutsu (8 jujutsu kata)
-shurikenjutsu (5 projectile weapon kata)
-heiho (strategy)
The Unryu Sogo Kenjutsu also incorporated these arts as secret phases of study:
-shinobi-no-jutsu (6 jujutsu kata)
-shinobi-no-iai (2 sword kata)
-shinobi-no-heiho (study of terrain, movement and disguises)
The shinobi-no-jutsu was named Yuki Ryu but it is only taught as part of the Unryu Sogo Kenjutsu regimen. Today the school is called Unryu Sogo Jujutsu, because the emphasis has shifted from the use of sword to unarmed methods. Previously weapons were taught first but today training begins with jujutsu.
The Unryu Sogo Jujutsu (Kenjutsu) lineage:
Unryu Katsu (Takeuchi Katsu, late Ashikaga-era)
|
Takeda Katsuyori (Oda Nobunaka's army general)
|
Unryu Katsuhide (organized Yuki Ryu Ninjutsu)
|
Unryu Tadakatsu (during the Iemitsu-rule ca. 1623-1651)
|
Unryu Kongo-no-Kami (during the Tsunayoshi-rule ca. 1680-1709)
|
Unryu Uohei (during the Ienobu-rule ca. 1709-1713)
|
Yamazaki Taisa
|
Yamazaki Fudoji
|
Yamazaki Mitsu (1853-1927)
|
Yamazaki Soseki (during the Showa-era; 1900-1973)
please note that the Unryu Sogo Bujutsu and Yuki Ryu Ninjutsu are in the trademark process. All info here has been copyrighted.
Here is the info that I have.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
History and lineage of Unryu Sogo Jujutsu and Yuki Ryu Ninjutsu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The history of Japan is divided into periods named after the ruling clan of that period. The Ashikaga period lasted from 1336 to 1568. Nearing the end of Ashikaga period, Uesugi Kenshin was the daimyo (landlord) of Echigo. Uesugi fought several battles against the famous lord Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) and they both used several kinds of warriors in their armies. Historically the body of the army was compiled of bushi-warriors (samurai-class) and ashigaru (footsoldiers, lower class). To support the losing battle Uesugi conscripted peasants as ji-samurai, giving them basic training and weaponry (spears and muskets). Especially the firearms made the ji-samurai succesful class of warriors. As peasants they were also able to work as spies, penetrating the guarded areas of Takeda's forces to gather intelligence (information about terrain, enemy troops, etc.).
Takeuchi Katsu was a ji-samurai under Uesugi Kenshin and learned the arts of sojutsu (spearfighting), hojutsu (firearms, signal fires) and methods of disguise and map-drawing. Uesugi's army eventually lost the battle and the surviving soldiers often fled or faced harsh conditions under enemy rule. Katsu took the name of his childhood friend who had died young. Using the name Unryu Katsu he travelled as ronin (unemployed samurai), looking for work. Katsu lived in a temple for about two years, studying both arts and bujutsu (warrior arts).
Having become skilled bushi, Katsu was hired to the army of Oda Nobunaka. His skills in firearms and intelligence operations were respected by his general Takeda Katsuyori and got to use them at Nagashino in 1575. After honorable service he died on the battlefield from a bullet wound.
His son Unryu Katsuhide had been his student and continued training and working under Takeda for some time, leading his own musket-squad. When Nobunaka's time of rule ended, Katsuhide left the army and begun musha shugyo (warrior's austere journey) in order to perfect his skills. Later he finally settled down in a small village in the Iga-region. Katsuhide had lots of horses and other useful animals and he also worked as a law enforcer in the village. His bujutsu was labelled as Unryu Sogo Kenjutsu.
His warrior tradition consisted of these arts:
-kenjutsu, iaijutsu (8 sword kata)
-sojutsu (10 spear and staff kata)
-hojutsu (2 musket kata)
-hojojutsu (5 cord and rope kata)
-taijutsu (8 jujutsu kata)
-shurikenjutsu (5 projectile weapon kata)
-heiho (strategy)
The Unryu Sogo Kenjutsu also incorporated these arts as secret phases of study:
-shinobi-no-jutsu (6 jujutsu kata)
-shinobi-no-iai (2 sword kata)
-shinobi-no-heiho (study of terrain, movement and disguises)
The shinobi-no-jutsu was named Yuki Ryu but it is only taught as part of the Unryu Sogo Kenjutsu regimen. Today the school is called Unryu Sogo Jujutsu, because the emphasis has shifted from the use of sword to unarmed methods. Previously weapons were taught first but today training begins with jujutsu.
The Unryu Sogo Jujutsu (Kenjutsu) lineage:
Unryu Katsu (Takeuchi Katsu, late Ashikaga-era)
|
Takeda Katsuyori (Oda Nobunaka's army general)
|
Unryu Katsuhide (organized Yuki Ryu Ninjutsu)
|
Unryu Tadakatsu (during the Iemitsu-rule ca. 1623-1651)
|
Unryu Kongo-no-Kami (during the Tsunayoshi-rule ca. 1680-1709)
|
Unryu Uohei (during the Ienobu-rule ca. 1709-1713)
|
Yamazaki Taisa
|
Yamazaki Fudoji
|
Yamazaki Mitsu (1853-1927)
|
Yamazaki Soseki (during the Showa-era; 1900-1973)
please note that the Unryu Sogo Bujutsu and Yuki Ryu Ninjutsu are in the trademark process. All info here has been copyrighted.