Togakure Ryu

The Togakure ryu is a Ninpo/Ninjutsu ryuha that was founded at least 900 years ago by Daisuke Nishina (Togakure), who had learnt shugendo practices as well as hakuun ryu ninjutsu from Kagakure Doshi.

The school contained Yon-po Hiden (Four Secrets): Senban Shuriken (Four pointed throwing star), Shuko to (Jap. and) Ashiko (Spiked bands worn on hands {Shuko} and sometimes feet {Ashiko}, for climbing), Shinodake (A tube used as a snorkel or blowgun) and Kyoketsu Shoge (A peculiar blade attached to cord which is in turn attached to a heavy ring)

Of course it also contained Taijutsu etc.

Formal Techniques of Togakure ryu

• Ninpo Taijutsu
  • Kurai Dori (The postures of Togakure ryu, unarmed or with shuko)
    • example, Hachimonji no kamae (Yes, hachimonji not ichimonji): A posture that has the Ninja prepared to throw blinding powder.
  • Ukemi Gata (Methods of using the shuko)
    • example, Ittoh dori: This is a method of catching a sword with the shuko.
  • Shinobi Gaeshi (Includes methods of moving undetected, and methods of escaping in the case of discovery)
    • example, Shige gaeshi: While lying on top of a van (Could be any horizantal surface that is raised above the ground) the Ninja is spotted, he throws blinding powder and maybe shuriken, then rolls (In a particular way) to the side opposite the enemy and runs off or finds a better hiding place.
  • Santo Tonko no Kata (Vanishing forms, makes use of blinding powder, shuriken etc; these are also used in the case of discovery but this time the opponent attacks)
    • example, 'Happo kiri gakure gata': The Ninja is surrounded by swordsmen, the Ninja throws Shuriken at the front attackers and blinding powder to the rear, then when surrounded by "fog" he/she vanishes (Runs off).
• Ninja Bikenjutsu (Methods of using the Ninja sword, which was shorter than the Katana)
  • Kurai Dori (Sword 'postures', there are also five methods of attaching the sword to the body.)
    • example, Totoku hyoshi: A posture for deflecting projectiles
  • Iaijutsu (Sword drawing)
    • example, Katate nuki: Drawing the sword with one hand in a particular way.
  • Biken Kata (Sword forms, the Ninja method of using the sword is unusual.)
    • example, Itto ryu dan: The sword is thrown at the enemy/enemies, the Ninja would either retrieve the sword or just run off, depending on whether the enemy was dead or not, they might even steal the enemy's weapons (As most Ninja were poor, the sword they had in the first place was probably stolen).
• Sakkijutsu (Training to develop the ability to sense intentions; this isn't an entire sub-discipline however, it was developed by training in the other disciplines.)

The Kyoketsu Shoge had no formal techniques.

The Togakure ryu is taught only in Bujinkan, Genbukan, and Jinenkan; but those schools contain Samurai arts that they tend to focus on.