Editing Kukishin-ryū (section)

==Techniques==
The teachings of the Ryū are detailed in the Kukishin ''Densho'' (scrolls).<ref name="zensho"/>

Kukishin Ryu transmits its traditions and knowledge in six main martial disciplines: [[Taijutsu]], [[Bōjutsu]], [[kenjutsu|Kenpō]], [[Naginatajutsu]], [[Hanbō]]jutsu and [[Sōjutsu]]. [[military strategy|Heiho (military strategy)]], complements this training. Besides these major disciplines, practitioners may also learn secret weapons, hidden teachings and Onakatomi shinto (Ko-shinto) practices.<ref name="zensho"/>

===Taijutsu (体術)===
This art (jutsu) consists of locks, entanglements, strangling, striking and kicking, as well as the use of small weapons such as [[shuriken]].
The Taijutsu techniques of Kukishin-ryū were altered by the seventh head of the school Kiyotaka Kuki, and organized by his son Sumitaka. This was because the techniques of Atekomi (striking) originated at times when armor was worn and became outdated. These techniques were modified to fit in with the early edo jidai. In the late Edo era, the twenty-fifth Soke, Takatomo Kuki, devised the Kihongata that consisted of eight techniques used for teaching the basics of the Ryu arts to beginners- however, this review did little to quell its brutality in learning and teaching. In an effort to make  safer to learn and teach, Takatomo altered the techniques so that beginners could practice without suffering injuries. Takatomo served at [[Nijō Castle]] in [[Kyoto]], where on February 28, 1864 he visited the Imperial Court and demonstrated his new methods to the emperor.<ref name="KukishindenTenshinHyoho Taijutsu">{{cite web
 |last        = Organization for Preserving Kuki Shinden
 |title       = Kukishin Ryu Taijutsu
 |work        = The list of techniques, part 1
 |publisher   = www.shinjin.co.jp
 |year        = 2007
 |url         = http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog1_e.htm
 |access-date  = 2007-09-25
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720000237/http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog1_e.htm
 |archive-date = 2011-07-20
}}</ref>

'''Kukishin-ryū and Takagi-Yōshin-ryū Taijutsu'''

There is a strong relationship between the taijutsu of Kukishin-ryū and Takagi-Yoshin-ryū.<ref>{{cite book | last =  Mol| first = Serge | title = Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: A Complete Guide to Koryu Jujutsu| publisher = Kodansha Europe| year = 2001| pages = 199–200| isbn = 978-4-7700-2619-4}}</ref> According to [[Toshitsugu Takamatsu|Takamatsu Chōsui]], the story of blending of Takagi-ryū Taijutsu into Kukishin-ryū (and Kukishin-ryū bōjutsu into Takagi-ryū) is as follows:

The untimely death of inheritor Sadataka Kuki left Kukishin-ryū without an heir. Therefore, the eldest son of Yoshitaka Kuki, named Kihei, became the successor. During the time of his inheritance, Kihei's health was very poor and he was bedridden. Eventually he grew stronger and was able to head the ryū properly, even becoming a mountaineering ascetic and traveling far across Japan. During one of his journeys Kihei happened to meet the son of Gennoshin Takagi in [[Akou]] (present day [[Hyōgo Prefecture]]), who was named Umanosuke. During their visit together, they compared the acumen of their two ryu. Whereas Takagi exceeded in Taijutsu, Kihei's Bōjutsu was superior. So in agreement, they altered the basic format of the two ryū. Since this time the basic Taijutsu of Kukishin-ryū is Takagi-ryū while the Bōjutsu, Spear and Naginata techniques have remained Kukishin-ryū.<ref name="Watatani"/> r

===Bōjutsu (棒術)===
The bōjutsu of Kukishin Ryū is best described as a method used to defeat/trick wielders of other weapons. It has special striking techniques that allow the [[Bō]] to feign quickly and re-direct its aim; a special method of "twirling" (Bofurigata) designed to confuse opponents and keep them at bay; and thrusting techniques that correlate with throwing the staff as a projectile (nagebō). Aspects of the Bōjutsu are gleaned from two other weapons within the school: naginata and the spear.<ref name="shinjin.co bojutsu">{{cite web
 |last        = Organization for Preserving Kuki Shinden
 |title       = Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu
 |work        = The list of techniques, part 2
 |publisher   = www.shinjin.co.jp
 |year        = 2007
 |url         = http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog2_e.htm
 |access-date  = 2007-09-25
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722095411/http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog2_e.htm
 |archive-date = 2011-07-22
}}</ref>

'''Bōjutsu, Sensudori and the Kaiden-Gata'''

There are actually three sizes of bō that could be categorized as bōjutsu within Kukishin Ryū: Rokushaku-bō (long), Han-bō (medium) and the Tan-bō (small). However, what is called 'Bōjutsu' in Kukishin Ryū involves the use of the Rokushaku-bō; nevertheless, this is really only the start of the Bōjutsu practice. The Han-bō is traditionally taught independently of the other techniques, which are formally contained in what is called 'Sensudori,' the upper echelon of the schools teachings (Kaiden-gata). Additionally the Han-bō is categorized into '[[Tessenjutsu]]' and taught as part of the Taijutsu as a close-quarters weapon. In Sensudori, the basic Kukishin Ryū strategy of "Gō, Ri, Hō, Chi, Shin" is exemplified. The beginner will use a staff of 180&nbsp;cm, then 90&nbsp;cm and finally one of 26&nbsp;cm. This is concurrent with the ideology of Gō, Ri, Hō, Chi, Shin in application.<ref name="shinjin.co bojutsu"/>

===Kenpō (剣法)===
The kanji for this means "sword law" (not "fist law"). It consists of evasion, slashing, stabbing, blocking and countering. It also includes the use of bō[[shuriken]].
One of the signature movements of Kukishin Ryū Kempō is the upward slashing. The ninth head of the family, [[Yoshitaka Kuki]],  participated in the war against Korea under [[Hideyoshi Toyotomi]]. In the marine battle off the shore of Ulusan, the belly-shot Yoshitaka jumped aboard the enemy's ship and slashed upward into the crotch of the admiral with his sword. After this, the technique became well-renowned.
The Kenpō also includes the use of 'Token-jutsu', or the method of throwing blades and swords ([[shurikenjutsu]]). While it teaches the use of [[shuriken|bōshuriken]], it is also considered an alternative method of using a dagger and long sword.<ref name="shinjin.co kenpo">{{cite web
 |last        = Organization for Preserving Kuki Shinden
 |title       = Kukishin Ryu Kenpo
 |work        = The list of techniques, part 3
 |publisher   = www.shinjin.co.jp
 |year        = 2007
 |url         = http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog3_e.htm
 |access-date  = 2007-09-25
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720000150/http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog3_e.htm
 |archive-date = 2011-07-20
}}</ref>

===Naginatajutsu (薙刀術)===
The Kukishin Ryū Naginata is 225&nbsp;cm in overall length. It has a double edged blade that is 21&nbsp;cm long and is attached to the shaft by wires. It is used to slash, parry, strike, stab and deflect; the blade is also used to hook and arrest.
Naginata is a weapon of primary importance in Kukishin Ryū as the Bōjutsu owes its origin to the Naginata. It stands as another signature weapon of Kukishin Ryū and it is perhaps the base of the ryu's creation.<ref name="shinjin.co naginata">{{cite web
| last = Organization for Preserving Kuki Shinden
| title = Kukishin Ryu Naginata
| work = The list of techniques, part 4
| publisher = www.shinjin.co.jp
| year = 2007
| url = http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog4_e.htm
| access-date = 2007-09-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106234158/http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog4_e.htm
| archive-date = 2007-11-06
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

===Hanbōjutsu (半棒術)===
The hanbō of Kukishin-ryū is used to parry, strike, crush and stab. It integrates with taijutsu as well. The hanbō is most directly related to the spear and staff, however these influences are superficial. It is safe to say that although the spear was in fact the origin of the hanbō itself, it truly plied its techniques from the sword.

Ukon Kuriyama is thought to have created and introduced the hanbō techniques to Kukishin-ryū during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Legend has it that he was well known for his skill with the short spear. Kuriyama participated in the [[Battle of Nagashino]] on May 4, 1575, on the side of Nobunaga Oda. While fighting against general Katsuhisa Tangonokami Suzuki, Kuriyama's spear was cut in half. Kuriyama kept on fighting with the cleft spear and eventually defeated Suzuki. Then it is said that he continued into battle, overwhelming the enemies' swords and thoroughly beating them down. From this legend, it is believed that the hanbō was officially included in Kukishin-ryū during the early Edō era.<ref name="shinjin.co hanbo">{{cite web
 |last        = Organization for Preserving Kuki Shinden
 |title       = Kukishin Ryu Hanbo
 |work        = The list of techniques, part 6
 |publisher   = www.shinjin.co.jp
 |year        = 2007
 |url         = http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog6_e.htm
 |access-date  = 2007-09-25
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722095606/http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog6_e.htm
 |archive-date = 2011-07-22
}}</ref>

===Sōjutsu (槍術)===
The Kukishin Ryū spear has a total length of 270&nbsp;cm. The 36&nbsp;cm to 45&nbsp;cm spearhead is connected to the shaft with wire, and it has three edges or "blades." It is used to parry, slash, stab, strike and to unbalance opponents.<ref name="shinjin.co sojutsu">{{cite web
| last = Organization for Preserving Kuki Shinden
| title = Kukishin Ryu Sojutsu
| work = The list of techniques, part 5
| publisher = www.shinjin.co.jp
| year = 2007
| url = http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog5_e.htm
| access-date = 2007-09-25
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106234133/http://www.shinjin.co.jp/kuki/hyoho/catalog5_e.htm
| archive-date = 2007-11-06
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

The spear techniques in Kukishin-ryū integrate a myriad of complex variations and nuances and this is perhaps the most difficult weapon in the curricula to learn. It has a number of targets which can be reached from both long and short distances and at each distance, a slight divergence in the way the weapon is used is needed in order to make it effective. This makes it one of the most complicated and complex weapons, depending entirely on distance and timing for the wielder to use it correctly.