SHORT SWORD FIGHTING techniques with MATS HJELM. During March and April of 2022, we at Kaigozan Dojo studied the “short sword techniques” within our Bujinkan Dojo system transmitted from Masaaki Hatsumi Sōke to Mats Hjelm.
小太刀術 Kodachi-jutsu (Short Sword Techniques). There is three fundamental sword techniques from the Kukishin-ryū, school in the Bujinkan Dojo. Then we also have the Sanshin no Kata from Gyokko-ryu which all the weapons is connected to.
The Kodachi has been neglected by most Budō-ka and masters since it was a weapon carried by the higher ranked officials.
Masaaki Hatsumi
Download SHORT SWORD FIGHTING techniques with MATS HJELM
On this video Mats show all 5 Sword techniques from the Gyokko-ryu and the 3 techniques from the Kukishin-ryu in the Bujinkan system. We studied the basic forms with variations. We also studied Muto-dori and Tanto (knife fighting).
小太刀術 KODACHI-JUTSU
SHORT SWORD FIGHTING techniques with MATS HJELM. Each technique is demonstrated and explained from different camera angles. The instructions are in Swedish.
Gyokko-ryu
Click on the button above to buy the 32 minute video download
HD1280x720, MP4, QuickTime Text, AAC, H.264. Download size 823Mb
This video is from a Seminar in 2022. Recorded in Sundbyberg, Stockholm in April 9’th 2022. The seminar was organised by Bujinkan Kaigozan Dojo.
About the instructor
Mats Hjelm started training in Bujinkan for the first time around 1983. It wasn’t until 1986 when he had the opportunity to start training more seriously under a Shidōshi. He has taught at numerous seminars all around the world, gone to Japan 3-5 times every year. After he started training he never had a training break. He takes his budo training very seriously! If you want to sponsor a seminar or course, please don’t hesitate to contact him. For more information see his web site kesshi.com or come and train with him at Kaigozan Dojo.…
Ikai is a person who is present in the background to many of our schools.
In prehistory, Iga ryu, Gyokko Ryu and Togakure Ryu mentions a person by the name “Ikai” as an original source of these schools. Identifying Ikai [異 匀], with the alternative pronunciation “Ibou” ‘may be interpreted as “a charismatic person” (I; 異) from “foreign” (kai; 匀). The name can also be interpreted as “different person”, that is perhaps a “transgender”? A man dressed as a woman, or vice versa?
The sign [異] symbolizes “a person with demon head”. The Chinese pronunciation of these characters is “Yi Hui” or “Yi Gai”, but with the same meaning. A hypothetical conclusion to be drawn is that Ikai was a stranger and unusual even in China, perhaps initially of a people from eastern China.
In Hatsumi Sensei book Sengoku Ninpo Zukan (p.81) printed on 1978, Ikai was described as follows:
“During Huang You’s first year (possibly 1049), Ikai from Sijiang went into exile to the distant Japan, after losing the war against Ren Zong’s army, on the Qidan and Xia’s side. He came to Ise and settled in a cave in Iga.”
Sijiang is probably the same region as Shandong [山东] in today’s China. Because of its location on the North China Plain, Shandong area came into contact early on with the Chinese civilization whose cradle is just West of the present province. Both the first historical coated dynasties Shang Dynasty and Zhou Dynasty, controlled the western and central Shandong. The Shandong Peninsula was, for a long time outside the Chinese of influence. There lived the ethnic groups as the Chinese gave the name Dong Yi to, and who was regarded as barbaric, that is to say, nomadic.
The above-mentioned Ren Zong was Emperor Song Renzong of the Song Dynasty, ruled between 1023-1063. His real name was Zhan Zhen and was an emperor in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Xia is also known as Hsia and the Qidan are also known as Khitan. They were both a people who were related to Tungus, which in turn was a people who lived in northeastern Siberia. They were a significant nomadic people who dominated parts of what is today Manchuria and Inner Mongolia. The Russian word for China, Kitaj, is believed to originate from Khitan, as well as the older China name in English – Cathay.
If now Ikai had been a Chinese who fought on the Khitan and Hsia/Xia side against the Song Dynasty, then one can understand that he had to flee the Chinese continent in defeat, but it was more likely that he was a Khitan.
Oral tradition says that Ikai had been a general, and was very skilled in hicho ongyo no jutsu (飛鳥隠形之術). It was said that strangers, such as Ikai, Yi Gyokko (Yao Yu Hu) and Cho Busho (Zhang Wu Sheng) spread the knowledge of hichojutsu (飛鳥術), tode Koppojutsu (唐手骨法術), senban nage jutsu (旋盤投術) and the like to Japan. From this was born later Gyokko ryu kosshijutsu, Koto ryu koppojutsu, Gyokushin ryu kosshijutsu and Gikan ryu koppojutsu and others.
Considering that all the Koga ryu ninjutsu’s 53 traditions, and Iga ryu ninjutsu’s 30 traditions developed happo bikenjutsu based on Gyokko ryu’s teachings, the latter can be considered the oldest source of Japanese martial art.
Sakagami Clan’s Mon
In a text by Takamatsu, it says that Ikai had two students during the Johou period (1074-1077), namely Gamon Doshi and Hogenbo Tesshin. Ninjutsu was thus founded during the period between 1049 and 1077.
An alternative background for Ikai is that he was actually the same person as Hogenbo Tesshin. The reason is found in the book Essence of Ninjutsu, on pages 121-122. There, Takamatsu tells a story about an old man who talks to two students. The old man tells of the war when he fought on Kittan Ka’s (i.e., Khitan and Xia) side against King Jinso. Jinso is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese character for Renzong.
The story of the old man is consistent with the story of Ikai in Hatsumi sensei’s book Sengoku Ninpo Zukan (available in Japanese only). In Essence of ninjutsu, on page 122, it is mentioned that the old man is Hogenbo and the students are referred to as Ryutaro and Dosan.
According to the book, Ryutaro later became the great ninjutsu champion “Garyu Doshi” and Dosan survived further under the name Tendo Sakagami. This Tendo Sakagami can be the same person as Sakabe Tendo (mentioned in the prehistory of Togakure ryu and Shinden Fudo ryu Dakentaijutsu).
Otomo Clan’s Mon
According to oral tradition, when he came to Japan, Ikai was presented to the Otomo clan who offered him a sanctuary in the distant Iga region.
Otomo, which means “great escort”, was a military clan who was considered to be descendants of Amaterasus grandson who pacified Japan. The power of the Otomo clan extended from the early Yamato period (250–710) to the Sengoku period, thus stretching over 1100 years.
Between the Yamato and the Heian period, Otomo had high military records in the Imperial Court, such as the life guards captain of the Empress Suiko.
The most famous ninja family – Hattori – were members of this clan. According to a legend, the life guards consisted of warriors of the Hayato people and it is therefore possible that the Hattori family came from this indigenous people.
According to the same legend, Ikai (sometimes also referred to as Chan Basho in Koto ryu documentation) trained parts of the Otomo clan in a unique form of combat technique – i.e. It is known today as ninjutsu, kosshijutsu and koppjutsu.
Ikai is a person who is present in the background to many of our schools.
In prehistory, Iga ryu, Gyokko Ryu and Togakure Ryu mentions a person by the name “Ikai” as an original source of these schools. Identifying Ikai [異 匀], with the alternative pronunciation “Ibou” ‘may be interpreted as “a charismatic person” (I; 異) from “foreign” (kai; 匀). The name can also be interpreted as “different person”, that is perhaps a “transgender”? A man dressed as a woman, or vice versa?
The sign [異] symbolizes “a person with demon head”. The Chinese pronunciation of these characters is “Yi Hui” or “Yi Gai”, but with the same meaning. A hypothetical conclusion to be drawn is that Ikai was a stranger and unusual even in China, perhaps initially of a people from eastern China.
In Hatsumi Sensei book Sengoku Ninpo Zukan (p.81) printed on 1978, Ikai was described as follows:
“During Huang You’s first year (possibly 1049), Ikai from Sijiang went into exile to the distant Japan, after losing the war against Ren Zong’s army, on the Qidan and Xia’s side. He came to Ise and settled in a cave in Iga.”
Sijiang is probably the same region as Shandong [山东] in today’s China. Because of its location on the North China Plain, Shandong area came into contact early on with the Chinese civilization whose cradle is just West of the present province. Both the first historical coated dynasties Shang Dynasty and Zhou Dynasty, controlled the western and central Shandong. The Shandong Peninsula was, for a long time outside the Chinese of influence. There lived the ethnic groups as the Chinese gave the name Dong Yi to, and who was regarded as barbaric, that is to say, nomadic.
The above-mentioned Ren Zong was Emperor Song Renzong of the Song Dynasty, ruled between 1023-1063. His real name was Zhan Zhen and was an emperor in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Xia is also known as Hsia and the Qidan are also known as Khitan. They were both a people who were related to Tungus, which in turn was a people who lived in northeastern Siberia. They were a significant nomadic people who dominated parts of what is today Manchuria and Inner Mongolia. The Russian word for China, Kitaj, is believed to originate from Khitan, as well as the older China name in English – Cathay.
If now Ikai had been a Chinese who fought on the Khitan and Hsia/Xia side against the Song Dynasty, then one can understand that he had to flee the Chinese continent in defeat, but it was more likely that he was a Khitan.
Oral tradition says that Ikai had been a general, and was very skilled in hicho ongyo no jutsu (飛鳥隠形之術). It was said that strangers, such as Ikai, Yi Gyokko (Yao Yu Hu) and Cho Busho (Zhang Wu Sheng) spread the knowledge of hichojutsu (飛鳥術), tode Koppojutsu (唐手骨法術), senban nage jutsu (旋盤投術) and the like to Japan. From this was born later Gyokko ryu kosshijutsu, Koto ryu koppojutsu, Gyokushin ryu kosshijutsu and Gikan ryu koppojutsu and others.
Considering that all the Koga ryu ninjutsu’s 53 traditions, and Iga ryu ninjutsu’s 30 traditions developed happo bikenjutsu based on Gyokko ryu’s teachings, the latter can be considered the oldest source of Japanese martial art.
Sakagami Clan’s Mon
In a text by Takamatsu, it says that Ikai had two students during the Johou period (1074-1077), namely Gamon Doshi and Hogenbo Tesshin. Ninjutsu was thus founded during the period between 1049 and 1077.
An alternative background for Ikai is that he was actually the same person as Hogenbo Tesshin. The reason is found in the book Essence of Ninjutsu, on pages 121-122. There, Takamatsu tells a story about an old man who talks to two students. The old man tells of the war when he fought on Kittan Ka’s (i.e., Khitan and Xia) side against King Jinso. Jinso is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese character for Renzong.
The story of the old man is consistent with the story of Ikai in Hatsumi sensei’s book Sengoku Ninpo Zukan (available in Japanese only). In Essence of ninjutsu, on page 122, it is mentioned that the old man is Hogenbo and the students are referred to as Ryutaro and Dosan.
According to the book, Ryutaro later became the great ninjutsu champion “Garyu Doshi” and Dosan survived further under the name Tendo Sakagami. This Tendo Sakagami can be the same person as Sakabe Tendo (mentioned in the prehistory of Togakure ryu and Shinden Fudo ryu Dakentaijutsu).
Otomo Clan’s Mon
According to oral tradition, when he came to Japan, Ikai was presented to the Otomo clan who offered him a sanctuary in the distant Iga region.
Otomo, which means “great escort”, was a military clan who was considered to be descendants of Amaterasus grandson who pacified Japan. The power of the Otomo clan extended from the early Yamato period (250–710) to the Sengoku period, thus stretching over 1100 years.
Between the Yamato and the Heian period, Otomo had high military records in the Imperial Court, such as the life guards captain of the Empress Suiko.
The most famous ninja family – Hattori – were members of this clan. According to a legend, the life guards consisted of warriors of the Hayato people and it is therefore possible that the Hattori family came from this indigenous people.
According to the same legend, Ikai (sometimes also referred to as Chan Basho in Koto ryu documentation) trained parts of the Otomo clan in a unique form of combat technique – i.e. It is known today as ninjutsu, kosshijutsu and koppjutsu.
All 51 Gyokko-ryu techniques on 4 files in HD quality, total playing time is 48 minutes. 2.3 Gb (H.264, AAC, 1280x720p)
This was filmed at the Bujinkan Kaigozan Dojo during the late fall of 2016 and early 2017. The theme was Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu.
There is no verbal instructions on this film. Each technique is demonstrated several times from all angles. For more information about this ryu-haclick here! Please notice there is several sub-pages to this page with more information, also including an errata for the Densho book published by Hatsumi Soke.
0. 基本型 KIHON KATA (23 techniques) Duration: 11:03 min / 597,7 MB on disk
1. 上略の巻 JŌ RYAKU NO MAKI (12 techniques) Duration: 13:36 min / 703 MB on disk 2. 中略の巻 CHŪ RYAKU NO MAKI (8 techniques) Duration: 13:55 min / 720 MB on disk 3. 下略の巻 GE RYAKU NO MAKI (8 techniques) Duration: 09:41 min / 303,6 MB on disk
Each file contains chapter markers for all the techniques for easy skipping to the technique you want to study. You can import the files to your iTunes library and sync it to your iPhone or iPad, or stream to the AppleTV. You can import it to any other library that supports the mp4 format and put it on your Android phone or tablet. Or you can play it directly from your hard drive, streaming to your TV etc.
Title: Complete Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu with Mats Hjelm
Instructors: Mats Hjelm
Theme: Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Kihon kata, Jo Ryaku, Chu Ryaku, Ge Ryaku
Recorded: Recorded in Kaigozan Dojo, Stockholm February 2017
Kind: Apple MPEG-4 movie
Size: 2,3 GB on disk
Dimensions: 1280×720
Codecs: 3GPP Text, H.264, AAC, Photo – JPEG
Duration: 48 min…
20 minutes, 611.6 Mb for $14.99
(H.264, AAC, 960×540)
This was filmed on a seminar at Bujinkan Dojo Norrköping in November 2014. The theme was Gyokko-ryu Churuaku no Maki.
There is no verbal instructions on this film. Each technique is demonstrated several times from all angles. It is approximately 20 Minutes playing time.
This is the second Taijutsu level in Gyokko-ryu and a very important if you want to learn the Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu system.
The first two techniques is performed without weapons. The next six the attacker is using a Kodachi (small sword) so that Muto-dori is used. The last two is attacks from behind so you need to make use of the Sakki feeling (killing intention).
Title: Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Churyaku no maki
Instructors: Mats Hjelm
Theme: Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Churyaku no maki
Recorded: Recorded in Norrköping November 15’th 2014
Kind: Apple MPEG-4 movie
Size: 611 614 533 bytes (611,6 MB on disk)
Dimensions: 960×540
Codecs: 3GPP Text, H.264, AAC, Photo – JPEG
Duration: 19:48…
This was the first time Hatsumi Soke visited the land of the Vikings. Accompanying him was
- Oguri Shihan,
- Nagato Shihan,
- Noguchi Shihan and
- Navon Shihan.
Doron Navon also acted as the translator.
The theme was Taijutsu and weapons.
Soke taught Bujinkan basics such Koku from Gyokko-ryu. Taihenjutsu, rolling, tehodoki getting out from a hand grab, onikudaki, ganseki nage. Muto-dori evasion from sword attacks. Hanbojutsu techniques with a stick. Sword, spear and much more was also covered.
Thanks to Sveneric Bogsäter who allowed us to reproduce this video to DVD, now you to can get a copy of this great historical video document from the first Swedish Taikai. …
This was the first time Hatsumi Soke visited the land of the Vikings. Accompanying him was
– Oguri Shihan,
– Nagato Shihan,
– Noguchi Shihan and
– Navon Shihan.
Doron Navon also acted as the translator.
The theme was Taijutsu and weapons.
Soke taught Bujinkan basics such Koku from Gyokko-ryu. Taihenjutsu, rolling, tehodoki getting out from a hand grab, onikudaki, ganseki nage. Muto-dori evasion from sword attacks. Hanbojutsu techniques with a stick. Sword, spear and much more was also covered.
Thanks to Sveneric Bogsäter who allowed us to reproduce this video to DVD, now you to can get a copy of this great historical video document from the first Swedish Taikai. …
120 minutes, 1.23 Gb for $19.99
(H.264, 400p) Available as download or DVD
This DVD contains all 12 basic taijutsu techniques from Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Joryaku no maki. They are taught and explained thoroughly as the basic foundation, and with many applications and henka.
Title: Keiko31 – Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Joryaku no maki
Instructors: Holger Kunzmann
Theme: Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Joryaku no maki
Recorded: Recorded in Stockholm April 30th-May 1st 2011
The instruction is in English approximately 120 Minutes playing time.
This DVD contains all 12 basic taijutsu techniques from Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Joryaku no maki. All Taijutsu techniques are taught and explained thoroughly as the basic foundation, and with many applications and henka. The following techniques where taught…
玉虎流 上略の巻 GYOKKŌ-RYŪ JŌ RYAKU NO MAKI
This is the first Taijutsu level in Gyokko-ryu and a very important if you want to learn the Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu system.
All these techniques are explained and taught in detail. The DVD has menus where you can chose technique to see, completely with chapters.
Extra material from this seminar
We also released an 82 minute video as download file with warm-up and basic Taijutsu training drills. Including extra 20 minutes with henka that we couldn’t fit on this DVD. This is only available as download file, click here for more information
Who is Holger Kunzmann?
Holger’s main interest in Bujinkan is the basics. And he has become quite famous for his excellent taijutsu and very good knowledge and skill of the basics in Bujinkan.
Holger’s web site… http://www.bkd-reutlingen.de/…
A seminar in Kaigozan Dojo with Shawn Gray from Japan.
This was the 6′th seminar (excl a few Tai Kai and extra trainings) with Mr.Shawn Gray at Kaigozan Dojo in Stockholm Sweden. The theme this time was Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Happobiken, Bojutsu, Ukemi, Sanshin no kata.
Shawn was teaching Taihenjutsu ukemi, breakfalling. Sanshin no kata, five basic movements which can be said to be the roots of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, it is also very important basics from Gyokko-ryû. The Gyokko-ryû techniques Kô, Shunu, Shunsoku, Iaifuji was also taught with a lot of variations, both without weapons and also with weapons, mainly the long staff (Gyokko-ryû Bôjutsu). There is also a 30 minute interview with Shawn where he talks about his experience from training in Japan and much more
Recorded in Stockholm, Sweden November 2005
Note: The instructions is in English and there is no sub titles on this VCD
About the instructor
Shawn left behing 10 years of Karate and Kendo to begin Bujinkan training in Canada after returning from a 1-year stay in Japan in 1990. After a training visit in 1995, he relocated to Japan permanently in January of 1997. Shawn passed the godan test in January of 1999, and in 2000 at the urging of Hatsumi sensei established a dojo, the first Bujinkan dojo in Japan led by a civilian foreigner. Shawn has regularly served as interpreter for Dr. Hatsumi and has translated much of Senseis writing into english. He has been regularly invited to give seminars in Europe , North America , and Asia.
The Tuesday training theme (after Kaigousuru) was Rokushaku Bôjutsu, many variations and ideas on how to defend against someone taking control of your staff and then attacks. Principles and ideas from Gyokko-ryû and this years Bujinkan theme was also covered in detail.
The training was led by Shawn Gray who is a well known and respected instructor in Bujinkan Dojo.
Recorded in Stockholm, Sweden May 2005
Note: The instructions is in English and there is no sub titles on this Video