Here is a list I've compiled of basic techniques and forms of the bujinkan. It is a derivation of the tenchijin ryaku no maki, as well as other training curricula and technical outlines. I've tried my best to be as complete and correct as possible, but alas there are still mistakes. If anyone has questions, comments, concerns, corrections, or complaints - please share! Enjoy! --------------------------------- bujin shoku to seikatsu – warrior diet and lifestyle seishinteki kyoyo – spiritual refinement mokuso – close eyes and meditate Bujinkan opening & closing ceremony: “chi haya furu, kami-no oshie-wa tokoshie-ni tadashii ki, kokoro o miomamoru ran / shikin haramitsu daikomyo” = “With many quick shakes, I invoke the divine teaching that everlasting pure spirit will protect one’s heart in troubling times / by these sounds and words find peace and become enlightened.” Two claps and a bow call the spirits and show humble respect. A final single clap and a bow signal that the spirits are present and shows gratitude. Onegaishimasu – please assist me domo arigato gozaimashita – very much thank you for that “In tune with the providence of heaven and the impartial justice of nature, and following a clear and pure heart full of trust in the inevitable, the ninja captures the insight that will guide him successfully into battle when he must conquer, and conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must acquiesce.” ~ Takamatsu Toshitsugu taiso – body conditioning kokyuho – breathing methods meiso – meditation ryutai undo – flowing body movement juunantaiso – flexible body conditioning (stretching) godai kokyuho – five element breathing method zazen – seated meditation shinkokyu sanaun – spirit breath meditation (three “ohm’s”) taihenjutsu – body movement (lit. ‘art of body changing’) taisabki – body control tai no kurai dori – positional body management ashi no kamae gata to ashi sabaki – footwork forms and control oki age – fall recovery naname kouhou aruki – diagonally retreating jodan / gedan uke nagashi – upper / lower receiving flow shihou aruki – four direction stepping happou aruki – eight direction stepping sanpo – natural walking kamae no kata – posture transitions yoko aruki – cross-stepping moguri gata – crouching / kneeling forms shizen gyo un ryusui – naturally moving like clouds and flowing water ukemi – break-falls (lit. ‘receiving with the body’) kaiten – rolling tobi – leaping karuwaza – acrobatics ukemi gata to ryusui – receiving body forms and flowing water zagata zenpou ukemi – seated forward break-fall zagata kouhou ukemi – seated backward break-fall yoko nagare – sideways flow shizen tatte zenpou ukemi – natural standing forward break-fall kouhou ukemi – backward break-fall tare nagare – hanging flow yokonagashi zenpou ukemi – sideways flowing forward fall zenpou kaiten, ryoute – forward roll, two-handed kouhou kaiten, ryoute – backward roll, two-handed naname zenpou kaiten – diagonal forward roll zenpou kaiten, katate – forward roll, one-handed outen, ryoute – “cartwheel” (barrel roll), two-handed kouhou kaiten, katate – backward roll, one-handed sokuhou kaiten – sideways roll yoko nagare kaiten – sideways flowing roll zenpou kaiten, mute – forward roll, no-hands kouhou kaiten, mute – backward roll, no-hands outen, katate – “cartwheel” (barrel roll), one-handed naname, happou kaiten – diagonal, eight-direction roll hicho tobi kaiten – flying / diving roll zenpou / kouhou kiten – forward / backward “spirit flip” handsprings zenpou / kouhou kuten – forward / backward “air flip” somersaults shinkengata taihenjutsu – realistic fighting forms taijutsu no kamae to sono kata – Taijutsu’s postures and their uses (lit. ‘viewing the form’) shizentai – natural body hira – flat seiza – proper seat rei – courtesy bow gassho – hands together in greeting hibi / shoshin – normal (“everyday”) / first intention fudoza – firm seat hira-ichimonji – flat straight line zagamae – kneeling ichimonji – straight line (lit. ‘numeral one’) doko – angry tiger jumonji – cross (lit. ‘numeral ten’) katate hicho – one hand flying bird hoko – circling the tiger ichimonji seigan – straight at the eyes kosei – offensive hicho – flying bird ihen – emergency shiho tenchi tobi – leaping in all directions shotobi – short leap up zenpou tobi – forward leap kouhou tobi – backward leap sokuhou tobi, sayu – sideways leap, left and right tenchi tobi, fudoza – vertical leap, legs tucked under kuhi tobi – sacrificial “flying” leap shinobijutsu – stealth and evasion (lit. ‘art of perserverence’) shoten no jutsu to nobori gata – vertical running and climbing methods shoten – “going to the sky” (running up vertical / near-vertical surfaces) shizen nobori – natural climbing shuko to ashiko – using hand and foot spikes kagi nawa – using hook and rope hoko no jutsu to ankoku toshijutsu – walking and seeing through darkness ankoku toshijutsu – seeing in the dark shinobi aruki – stealth movement soshin sosoku ho – quick sideways walking hyojo hoko – slippery surface walking mu on no ho – silent methods ashinami jukajo – ten ways of silent stepping nukiashi – stealthy feet suri ashi – shuffling / sliding feet shime ashi – squeezing feet tobi ashi – leaping feet kata ashi – single foot ou ashi – big feet / long stride ko ashi – small feet / short stride kizami ashi – mincing feet / very short stride wari ashi – split bamboo feet / using special shoes tsune no ashi – pinching feet onshinjutsu / intonjutsu – “disappearing arts” (concealment and disguise) gotonpo – five ways of natural concealment doton – using earth and stone mokuton – using plants and wood suiton – using water katon – using fire kinton – using metal kuton – using all or combination of some elements hensojutsu shichiho – seven disguises sukke – begger akindo – merchant komuso – priest ronin – leaderless soldier sarugakushi – performer (actor / singer) hokashi – street peddler tsunebito – peasant shinobi iri – stealth entering methods dakkentaijutsu – striking methods (lit. ‘art of striking with the fists and body’) houken juroppo – sixteen treasured striking methods fudoken – firm (clenched) fist sanshitanken – three fingertip fist sokuyakuken – dancing foot fist (heel / sole of foot) kitenken – upward turning fist (sword hand) ****ouken – finger sword fist (thumb) sokugyakuken – reversed foot fist (toes / ball of foot) shikanken – finger ring fist (extended knuckles) shakoken – claw fist koppoken – bone method fist (thumb knuckle) kikakuken – demon horns fist (forehead) shukiken – hand raise fist (elbow) sokkiken – foot raise fist (knee) happaken – eight leaves fist (palms of hands) shishinken – finger needle fist (little finger) taiken / shizenken – body fist / natural weapons kiken – spirit fist atemi – strikes tsuki – thrust zenpou geri – forward kick omote shuto – outer sword hand ura shuto – inner sword hand jodan / gedan uke utte – upper / lower receiving strike sokuhou geri – sideways kick kouhou geri – backwards kick shihou geri – four direction kick juji geri – cross kick kakushi geri – hidden kick sampo geri – walking kick shuken uchi – palm strike (shakoken; happaken) tobi geri – leaping kick zu tsuki – head thrust hichou geri – flying bird kick shuki uchi – elbow strike sokki geri – knee kick hito tobi – flying man attack koppojutsu – bone method (attacking the skeleton) tsuki ken kudaki – breaking the punching hand jujigeri takeori – “bamboo breaking” cross kick koshi kudaki – breaking the hips kosshijutsu – bone-finger method (attacking the muscles) boshiken – stick finger fist tsuno yubi – fingernails ki-ken-tai ichijou – spirit-weapon-body unification kyusho to kiai – targeting and focus (spirit) kinketsu teisoku kasho mesho – “a treasure of established poetic names” ~ Takamatsu, re: Koto ryuha kyusho: urakimon – inner spirit gate (ribs under chest) ryufu – willow wind (larynx; adam’s apple) kasumi – fog; mist (temple) hiryuran – flying dragon confused (eyes) shishiran – lion confused (stomach) kosei – tiger’s power “life-to-come” (groin) yugasumi – evening mist (below the ear; behind the jaw) tsuyugasumi – drop of mist (under the jaw) ryumon – dragon’s gate (under collarbone) jujiro – intersection (between chest and shoulder) jakkin – weak muscle (inner upper arm) daimon – big gate (shoulder joint) asagiri – morning mist; also asagasumi (bottom of chin) sei – star, sphere of influence; also hoshi (armpit) kinketsu – treasure trove (sternum) koshitsubo – hip pot (inner ridge of hipbone); also koe (voice) hichibatsu – touch hit (side of hip) tenmon – sky gate (ridge of eye socket) amado – rain shutters; also uko (side of neck) jinchu – man’s center (under the nose) happa – eight leaves; explosive blast (palms to both ears) menbu – face (bridge of nose) tokotsu – single bone; skull (hyoid bone – above adam’s apple) gorin – five rings (muscles around navel) sai – leg (inside and outside of upper thigh) matsukaze – pine tree wind (above collarbones) murasame – village rain (notch between collarbones) hoshisawa – valley of stars (elbow joint) in – shadow (under cheekbone); also kage tento – top of head (soft spot between skull bones) shinchu – heart’s center (middle of chest) wakitsubo – side pot (ribs under armpit) yubitsubo – finger pot (base of thumb) butsumetsu – unlucky day (lower ribs) kyokei – strong tendons (top of foot, above toes) kiaijutsu – spirit focus (lit. ‘art of harmonizing energy’) (the four shouts): seme no kiai - attacking shout hannou no kiai – reacting shout kachidoki / kachi no kiai – victorious shout kage no kiai – shadow shout kimejutsu – focusing zanshin – remaining mind ishiki – energy of intention mushin – no mind atemi no tanren - hitting discipline (weapon) ten (the sky) – striking air, to improve accuracy chi (the earth) – striking objects, to condition the weapons jin (the man) – striking bodies, to affect the target inashi gata – polishing the form (body) kengata to seido – fist form and accuracy maai to ashi sabaki – distance and footwork kensabaki – fist control taijutsu kenpou – unified body fist method juutaijutsu – grappling methods (lit. ‘supple body art’) torite – grappling (lit. ‘taking hands’) katate tori – one hand take ryoute tori – two hand take katamune dori – one lapel take ryoumune dori – two lapel take kata dori – shoulder take sode dori – sleave take katamune katasode dori – one lapel and one sleeve take, a.k.a. kumiuchi (joining together) kuzushi – breaking balance oshi – press hiki – pull nejiri – torque age – lift taoshi – bring down hajutsu kuho – nine releasing methods tehodoki – untying the hands taihodoki – untying the body happou geri – eight ways of kicking ashi barai – leg sweep oya goroshi – “killing the parent” (thumb crush) ko goroshi – “killing the child” (little finger crush) koshi kudaki – breaking the hips ken kudaki – fist crush toki kudaki – toe crush gyakugi – reversal techniques omote kote gyaku dori – outer wrist twist hold ura kote gyaku dori – inner wrist twist hold hon gyaku – base (centerline) reverse omote oni kudaki – outer demon crusher ura oni kudaki – inner demon crusher uchi maki dori – inner wrapping take, a.k.a. musha dori (warrior take) muso dori – unbeatable take ura / omote take ori – inner / outer bamboo break ougyaku – large reversal shime waza – squeezing techniques kihon shime gohou – basic squeezing five ways hon jime – base squeeze gyaku jime – reverse squeeze itami jime – pain squeeze sankaku jime – triangle squeeze do jime – torso squeeze mimi jime – ear squeeze kata- / ryou- ude jime – single- / double- arm squeeze omote / ura kubi jime – front / rear neck squeeze katatedori kubi jime – single-hand neck squeeze seion jime – sound of life squeeze (squeezing the windpipe) ougyaku jime – great reverse squeeze koroshi jime – killer squeeze nage waza – throwing techniques ganseki nage – boulder throw ganseki otoshi – boulder drop ganseki oshi – boulder press ganseki ori – boulder break gyaku nage – reverse throw harai goshi – sweeping hips taki otoshi – waterfall drop seoi nage – on the back throw koshi nage – on the hip throw ousoto nage – large outside throw uchi mata uchi gake nage – inner thigh reaping throw hane goshi – snapping up hips itami nage – pain throw ryusui iki – flowing like water tomoe nage – whirl throw tachi nagare – standing flow yoko nagare – sideways flow temakura – hand pillow kuruma nage – wheel throw kuki nage – air spirit throw newaza; osae komi – ground fighting; pinning and immobilization keri kaeshi; ashi ori – kick countering and leg breaking ashi dori – leg catch (“in a manner of walking”), also possibly ashi dome (leg touch) keri kudaki – kick destroyer sukui dori – scooping catch tsure yuki – carry along kakushi geri henka – hidden kick variations anataoshi – trapping (lit. ‘throwing down in a hole’) jigoku otoshi – hell drop gokuraku otoshi – paradise drop yume no makura – pillow of dreams nage kaeshi – throw countering waza bunkai; kata to henka – technical analysis; forms and variations sanshin go kyo no kata – three hearts (uniting body, mind, and spirit) five principle forms chi no kata – earth form sui no kata – water form ka no kata – fire form fuu no kata – wind form kuu no kata – void form kihon happo – fundamental eight ways kihon kosshi sanpo – three basic striking forms ichimonji no kata – straight line form jumonji no kata – cross form hichou no kata – flying bird form kihon torite goho – five basic grappling forms ura gyaku – inner reverse omote gyaku ken sabaki – outer reverse with fist control oni kudaki – demon crusher musha dori – warrior capture, also possibly ude jime ashi ori (arm squeeze and leg break) ganseki nage – boulder throw taihenjutsu mutodori gata – sword evasion forms hira no kamae kata – flat posture form ichimonji no kamae kata – straight line posture form jumonji no kamae kata – cross posture form suwari gata sanpo – three kneeling forms ichi geki – one shot (single rage) osaekomi – immobilization ude ori (shindenfudo ryu) – arm break suwari gata shichiho – kneeling forms seven methods kasumi dori (takagi) vs grab, ura gyaku – grabbing fog ate komi (kasumi dori ura gata) vs grab, omote gyaku – strike and hold down do gaeshi vs punch or knife thrust – body turnover karame dori vs kick – entwining? arrest? taking the rear entrance? keri kaiten? – kick then back roll away koho kaiten nage (tomoe nage) – kick then roll over throw backwards musha dori – warrior take tenchijin ryaku no maki, jin no maki kata: katate dori (5 kata) – single hand grabs ate nage (takagi) – hit throw settou (koto? kukishin? most likely koto) – break drop? hiki otoshi – pull down fudo (shindenfudo) – immovable hoteki (koto) – release and throw? ryoute dori (7 kata) – double hand grabs kanashibari – tightly bound tengu dori – goblin take ryote gake – two hand trap koki (koto) – strike the demon shizen (shindenfudo) – naturally soto – hold and fall ransetsu (koto) – blizzard haibu yori (5 kata) – grabbed from behind yubi kudaki / shi sai (gyokko) – finger break sakketsu (gyokko) – killer squeeze kin kudaki (gyokko?) – gold crush ketsu miyaku (gyokko) – squeeze pulse tei ken (gyokko) – squeeze fist tsuki uchi (9 kata) – punch counters koyoku (koto) – rival scoop hisaku (koto) – fly and squeeze setsu yaku (shindenfudo) – dancing snow? musan (shindenfudo) – disperse (vanishing like mist) gekkan (shindenfudo) – moon liver? katamaki (koto) – shoulder wrap hibari (shindenfudo) – skylark (=ujaku? unjaku? – cloud sparrow?) shihou dori – four direction take moguri dori – diving capture? keri ni taisuru uke (5 kata) – kick counters jigoku otoshi – hell plunge keri ni taishite koto – body against kick huko – felling the tiger keta oshi – soul press yume no makura – pillow of dreams tsuki to keri ni taisuku (4 kata) – punch and kick counters kokuu (gyokko) – empty space renyo (gyokko) – emperor’s palanquin saka nagare (gyokko) – reverse flow kasasagi (shindenfudo)– magpie nage kaeshi (8 kata) – throw counters okyo – false push atami dori – head take (a.k.a. zudori) fukan (shindenfudo) – wind turn? no turn? seion (kukishin) – life sound gokuraku otoshi – paradise drop ugari – quail reap? hito – flying topple tai jime – body squeeze tanto dori (1 kata) – knife takeaway ken kobushi – weapon flow zanto tonko no kata (togakure ryu) – escaping forms (fleeing / seeking refuge) kata ude tonso – single arm escape sayu tonso – left and right escape kubi sugi tonso – rear collar grab escape atekomi tonso – push hit escape kote uchi tonso – forearm strike escape sayu kumogakure – left and right cloud hiding kosei kirigakure – attacking mist hiding happou kirigakure – scattering mist hiding buki – warrior tools taiken – body weapon shizenken – natural weapons kikai no shigen – resources of opportunity hanbo – half stick tanto – knife kusari fundo – weighted chain shuriken – small blades rokushakubo – six foot staff katana – sword (bokken / bokuto = wooden sword, shinken = ‘live’ sword’) shuko – hand claws kyoketsu shoge – ring, cord, and dagger metsubishi – sight removers kayaku – fire and explosives yari – spear kodachi – short sword naginata – halberd bisento – battle axe tessen – iron fan cho ho – information gathering goshinjutsu – practical personal self-protection methods kikai no shigen taihodoki – escaping body grab with improvised weapon kikai no shigen hanbo – improvised hanbo (umbrella, cane, etc.) etc. . . . kumite / randori – sparring / free play sokki hentenken – impromptu transitions? ------------------------------------------- That's all I have for now. At the discretion of the moderators, this can be made a sticky, and if anyone has questions or comments on Japanese translations of ninjutsu terms, this is the place to post 'em.
very good, that must have been good finger conditioning. i thought though shoshin = beginer posture fudoza/fudoken = immovable seat/ .....fist could be wrong, great post though! dazza
hatsie: "very good, that must have been good finger conditioning." it sure was! "i thought though shoshin = beginer posture fudoza/fudoken = immovable seat/ .....fist" yes those are correct ways to call them as well. the 'sho' of shoshin means first or beginner, and the 'shin,' meaning heart has the primary definition of intention in this combination. so together 'shoshin' can mean original intention, or the beginner's mind. 'shoshinsha' means beginner (person with original intentions). so it is entirely correct to call shoshin no kamae, the beginner's posture. fudoza/fudoken: fudo means no movement, so immovable, firm, solid, etc. are all correct for those terms. in some cases I was trying to be as literal as possible with the definitions of the kanji, and in others I was trying to translate into something easily understandable, so naturally some terms can have many different translations.
Here's a link to a glossary of terms. Using the 2 together can give you a better idea of how complex or simple the Japanese language can be when defining a term or word. http://kihon.com/dojo/glossary.html
This will be the only thread I have ever bookmarked. And probably the most useful one I have ever seen. Thanks so very very much sshh and kuro.
new terms: from: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18627 "...also whats a men[k]yo?" levels of training: shoden - first transmission / first level of training chuden - middle level of instruction okuden - secret (esoteric) transmissions menkyo - license (technical mastery) - initiation into secrets menkyo kaiden - full transmission (full mastery) of art densho - information handed down / initiation into tradition This is the way that separate ryu grade their students. The bujinkan teaches a combination style of 9 separate ryu, so it isn't possible (or it would be cumbersome) to use the five levels of training for each ryu simultaneously. However, during training in techniques and forms from particular ryu, one progresses in a global-overview style through the shoden, chuden and okuden levels of each ryu all at once. So as a whole, an analogy could be that by sho-dan level, one has completed the sho-den levels of all (or most) of the 9 ryu. Then as shidoshi-ho, one works through the chuden and okuden levels of each ryu more in depth. I picture godan as being menkyo in this case, and further that judan is the equivalent of menkyokaiden. (Related discussion here: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18582) Trainee ranks (as used in the bujinkan): mukyu - white belt, "no rank" ("10th kyu") kukyu - green belt, "rank nine" (9th kyu) hachikyu / hakkyu - green belt, "rank eight" (8th kyu) shichikyu / nanakyu - 7th kyu rokkyu - 6th kyu gokyu - 5th kyu yonkyu - 4th kyu sankyu - 3rd kyu nikyu - 2nd kyu ikkyu - 1st kyu Student grades (bujinkan shidoshi-ho): shodan - black belt, "first grade" (1st dan) nidan - 2nd dan sandan - 3rd dan yondan - 4th dan shidoshi - teacher / leader / "enlightened gentleman warrior" shidoshi-ho - one on the way to becoming a shidoshi; an assistant instructor godan - 5th dan, earning menkyo, shidoshi teacher's license, student of Hatsumi Teacher grades: rokudan - 6th dan shichidan / nanadan - 7th dan hachidan - 8th dan shihan - model teacher (an honorific - used as a compliment and rarely as a title, especially not a personal title), used to describe a student-teacher of about this level or higher, especially for judan and above. kyudan - 9th dan judan - 10th dan, menkyo kaiden, master of the bujinkan arts Master student grades (happo biken shihan - master teacher of infinite ways and weapons): judan chi menkyo - "11th dan" judan sui menkyo - "12th dan" judan ka menkyo - "13th dan" judan fuu menkyo - "14th dan" judan kuu menkyo - "15th dan," tatsujin - one with complete mastery, an expert, a fully developed human being. soke - inheritor of tradition, head of the familily, headmaster, grandmaster, etc. or the founder / originator of a ryu (An interesting aside: 'soke' written with different kanji is a homonym for prototype, as in the headmaster is also the prototype for the next generation).
I'm not sure about all the stuff you've posted here but let's finish with some to me very annoying mistakes in ninjutsu terminology.The purson guilty of this is probobly one of the first translators of ninjutsu books.Though it is tough to determin by "a naked ear",in writen form you can clearly see that it is not "onshinjutsu" but actually "onshijutsu".The "onshijutsu" is nothing more than a different pronounciation of "kakushijutsu"("kaku"-to hide can be also pronouced as "in" or "on".I don't know does this forum support this but I think we should consider using kanji when it comes to this kind of terminology problems.Also atemi no tanren means "hitting training"not "hitting discipline (weapon)".Kanashibari means "kana (Japanese sillabury) binding" vs."tightly tied". As for Ganseki,here are some more variations: Ganseki dome-Stopping the rock; Ganseki makikomi-Unfolding (or bringing in) the rock; Ganseki goshi-Bringing the rock over one's hip; Ganseki geri-Kicking the rock. Also I would appreciate If someone knows any other ukemi (I can perform a few but am not sure about the terminology).
Thank you for the correction! Miran: "I'm not sure about all the stuff you've posted here but let's finish with some to me very annoying mistakes in ninjutsu terminology..." I'm sure there are many mistakes in that list. Most I have double-checked with my Japanese-English dictionary, but even then it is hard to be sure if the definition I'm getting is the right one. "Though it is tough to determin by "a naked ear",in writen form you can clearly see that it is not "onshinjutsu" but actually "onshijutsu"." Doh! That is one I knew about and I let it slip. Thanks for catching that. I agree that it is hard to tell what's what just hearing it, and many times reading it - if you don't have the kanji. "I don't know does this forum support this but I think we should consider using kanji when it comes to this kind of terminology problems." I agree. I'll try posting with kanji to see if it works. 隠し術 kakushijutsu (looks like it works) "Also atemi no tanren means "hitting training"not "hitting discipline (weapon)"." This is not a correction. They are synonymous. For tanren ( 鍛錬 ), the definitions given are: tempering; forging; hardening; disciplining; training. I have "(weapon)" after in parentheses, because I have that part of the list organized into "mind/spirit - body - weapon" training, and it is to emphasize that atemi no tanren is used to temper the weapons of the body. "Kanashibari means "kana (Japanese sillabury) binding" vs."tightly tied". I'm just going to have to take your word for that until I can see the kanji in a Bujinkan reference manual. My dictionary shows kanashibari ( 金縛り ) to mean: bound hand and foot; a feeling of paralysis. 仮名縛り (kana-shibari) is syllabary binding - a phrase that doesn't make sense to me. "As for Ganseki,here are some more variations: Ganseki dome-Stopping the rock; Ganseki makikomi-Unfolding (or bringing in) the rock; Ganseki goshi-Bringing the rock over one's hip; Ganseki geri-Kicking the rock." Thank you for those. And here's the kanji: gansekidome 岩石止め gansekimakikomi 岩石巻き込み gansekigoshi 岩石腰 gansekigeri 岩石蹴り "Also I would appreciate If someone knows any other ukemi (I can perform a few but am not sure about the terminology)." Please check out our ukemi taihenjutsu thread: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18934 Again, thank you for the correction! p.s. if anyone has trouble reading the kanji because they are too small - I recommend copying them and pasting to a word processor (e.g. MS-Word), and then changing the size.
Kanashibari 仮字縛り means binding someone by pronouncing kana syllabury and is considered an occult art or a kind of Japanese witchcraft. Check this out,too.I think it is not kitenken (wisdom fist?) but kiteken 切手拳 (cutting/sharp hand fist).I think this is one more example of "tagged -n" as with onshinjutsu.Another misunderstanding,maybe?
Miran: "Kanashibari 仮字縛り means binding someone by pronouncing kana syllabury and is considered an occult art or a kind of Japanese witchcraft." I've heard of that kind of kanashibari, but I thought it used the same kanji as 金縛り (to mean "a feeling of paralysis.") I understand that there are different methods of 'binding tightly.' One would be the ultra-literal: tying someone up with rope. Another would be the somewhat-literal: to use physical methods such as jujutsu grappling/pinning/restraining techniques. A subtler, vaguely-literal method: using physical methods of contact, but lightly; the feeling of paralysis is due more to positioning, balance, and the sense that any attempted movement would lead to a worse situation. Lastly, the ultra-subtle, not-so-literal: causing a feeling of paralysis in someone by force of will alone (possibly combined with spell-casting if that's what you're in to). Spell-casting aside, I think this final method is very similar to the previous subtle method, except of course that no actual contact is necessary. I'll have to do more research into this. "Check this out,too.I think it is not kitenken (wisdom fist?) but kiteken 切手拳 (cutting/sharp hand fist).I think this is one more example of "tagged -n" as with onshinjutsu.Another misunderstanding,maybe? " That, I'm not so sure of. kiteken 切手拳 (kiri-te-ken) does mean cutting hand fist, and I think that's another good way of saying sword-hand or knife-hand ( 手刀 te-gatana / shu-tou), but all the reference works for Bujinkan Gyokko Ryu (where I see this term used most often) use kitenken 起転拳 (rise-turn-fist). I don't know where someone got "wisdom fist" from kitenken, but I have seen that on a particular website. I think rise-turn-fist is more descriptive of the technique anyway. The fist rises and turns to impact the target, it isn't really a cutting/slashing motion which kiri 切 would imply. However, you have sparked more curiosity, and I will investigate further.
Miran: "Here is a list of 36 Japanese combat arts ..." Ah yes, the '36 chambers' of ninpou bugei ... "...there are only few lists of bugei juhappan and they're almost always different because this list changed over time ..." True, for example the happou hiken of Kukishinden has been nearly the same over the years, but there are a few differences in primary focus depending on the needs of the time period. "...feel free to corect my mistakes and contribute in any way." Will do. "34。変装術【intonjutsu】Disguise" Is this meant to be hensojutsu?
The kiai interpretations which you posted are a bit colloquial.There are originally three kinds of kiai refered in densho as sansei fushin 三声風神 or Three voices of the Wind-god: kangi yaku - winning kiai; haku yakuso - offensive kiai; yaku sohei - defensive kiai. Kage or shadow kiai represents the higher level of kiaijutsu.It merges previous three into one silent kiai which is intended to break opponents spirit,technique and finally a body.This is why it is called mitsu kujiku 三挫くor the three breaks. By the way,do you have any idea how to write those three kiais in kanji,Sshh?...Anybody?...I have a few ideas but still will not dare to expose them publicly... So if you think there is kage no kiai-there isn't!And if you think there isn't kage no kiai-there is!...Understood?...No?...Excelent! Now go train!
Here is a list of 36 Japanese combat arts said to be practiced by the ancient ninja that is 18 conventional and additional 18 unconventional.Though ninja juhakkei is often refered to there are only few lists of bugei juhappan and they're almost always different because this list changed over time along with the importance of particular art.So I figured that this list should comprise the most utilitarian combat skills.Nevertheless,feel free to corect my mistakes and contribute in any way. 忍法三十六計【ninpo sanjuroppo】36 forms of stealth methods 武芸十八般【Bugei Juhappan】All eighteen martial arts 1。弓術【kyujutsu】Archery 2。馬術【bajutsu】Horsemanship 3。槍術【yarijutsu】Spearmanship 4。水泳術【suieijutsu】Swimming 5。剣術【kenjutsu】Swordsmanship 6。抜刀術【battojutsu】Drawing a sword 7。短刀術【tantojutsu】Knife-fighting 8。十手術【jutte】Iron truncheon fighting 9。手裏剣術【shurikenjutsu】Throwing blades 10。含み針【fukumibari】Blowing needles 11。薙刀術【naginatajutsu】Halberd fighting 12。砲術【hojutsu】Artillery 13。捕手術【toritejutsu】Restraining 14。柔術【jujutsu】Flexible art 15。棒術【bojutsu】Cudgels 16。鎖鎌術【kusarigamajutsu】Chain and sickle fighting 17。捩り術【mojirijutsu】Imitation 18。忍び術【shinobijutsu】Espionage 忍者十八計【ninja juhakkei】18 forms of the ninja 19。精神的教養【seishinteki kyoyo】Spiritual refinment 20。体術【taijutsu】Empty hand fighting 21。忍法剣術【ninpo kenjutsu】Secret fencing methods 23。手裏剣術【shurikenjutsu】Throwing blades 24。鎖鎌術【kusarigamajutsu】Chain and sickle fighting 25。鑓術【yarijutsu】Spearmanship 26。薙刀術【naginatajutsu】Halebard fighting 27。馬術【bajutsu】Horsemanship 28。水練【suiren】Swimming 29。火薬術【kayakujutsu】Demolitions 30。謀略【boryaku】Tactics 31。諜報【choho】Intelligence 32。忍び入り【shinobiiri】Infiltration 33。隠遁術【intonjutsu】Exfiltration 34。変装術【hensojutsu】Disguise 35。天文【tenmon】Astronomy 36。地文【chimon】Physiography
Miran: "The kiai interpretations which you posted are a bit colloquial." I admit I made those up myself, I had no idea what they were really called. Thanks for the clarification. "By the way,do you have any idea how to write those three kiais in kanji,Sshh?...Anybody?..." Not off-hand, but I'll do a little research. "So if you think there is kage no kiai-there isn't!And if you think there isn't kage no kiai-there is!...Understood?...No?...Excelent! Now go train!" Actually, I do understand, which I guess isn't excellent, but I will go train regardless!
Don't worry about making up those kiai terms I recently did pretty much the same translation but,alas,found correct names...Do you happen to know where can I find (read:download) copies of Ninpiden,Shoninki or Amatsu Tatara?I've seen people discussing them on some forums (I've been stupid for not asking them!).By the way I downloaded Bansenshukai recently and I've been cracking my scull open over its translation.Is there some typed version of it (Nevermind if it's in Japanese!)?I'd really appreciate it!