Passed down from generation to generation, for over 1000 years, are the nine ancient martial art traditions which now belong to the Bujinkan system. Three of these are Ninjutsu schools, specialising in espionage, information gathering, geography, battle tactics etc. The other six ryu are more focused in the combative technique areas. Some schools contain a great number of weapons while others are more concerned with unarmed combat.

The second oldest of the nine traditions, this ryu forms much of the basis for the Ninjutsu techniques taught in the Bujinkan. This system is famous for its use of such weapons as shuko and shuriken. It was reportedly founded by Daisuke Togakure in the late 1100’s.

The oldest of the nine traditions, this style is heavily influenced by Chinese kenpo and is known for its koshijutsu attacks to muscles and soft organs, also using fingers and thumbs for ripping and tearing. Gyokko Ryu was originally founded by Cho Gyokko who was said to have fled China during the Tang Dynasty around 900 AD. This ryu forms much of the basis for the Bujinkan system including the kihon happo.

This ryu is a battlefield style whose specialty is the use of many different weapons including spears, swords, hanbos, etc. Many of the weapon techniques (hanbo, bo, yari, naginata, etc) in Bujinkan come from this school. Kukishenden Ryu was reportedly founded by Izuma Kanja Yoshiteru in the mid 1100’s.

This system specializes in dakentaijutsu (striking techniques) and jutaijutsu (hard grappling techniques). This was the first ryu that Takamatsu learned form his grandfather. This ryu was also founded by Izuma Kanja Yoshiteru in the mid 1100 who also learned Chinese kenpo.

The second ninjutsu ryu in the Bujinkan system was founded by Sasaki Goemon Teruyoshi in the mid 1500. Not much is known of this ryu except that it is an Iga ninja school and concentrated more on the espionage side of ninjutsu, rather than the fighting side. It is also known for its use of sutemi (sacrifice) throws.

This style specializes in koppojutsu or bone-breaking techniques and is very linear in motion. This style was originally organized into a ryu by Sakagami Kunishige in the mid 1500. The name of the school means to knock the Tiger down with the tips of the fingers and historically, training started with striking sand and gravel, then larger stones for conditioning.

This system specializes in grappling and throwing techniques similar to aikido and judo. However, unlike judo and aikido, this style makes it difficult for the opponent to make ukemi (to fall or roll safely). This ryu is known as the “bodyguard school”, and was founded by Takagi Oriuemon Shigenobu around 1650.

This ryu was originally founded by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo in the mid 1500 and specializes in koppojutsu or bone-breaking techniques. This style is known for its low stances, with much of the footwork within the Bujinkan system coming from this ryu.

The third of the ninja ryus, it uses similar taijutsu as Togakure Ryu, and is also known for double blocks and strikes This ryu originated with Heinaizaemon Ienaga Iga in the mid 1500.