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Himeji Castle
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Himeji Castle
姫路城
Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan
Himeji castle in may 2015.jpg
Himeji Castle in May 2015 after the five-year renovation of the roof and walls
Himeji Castle 姫路城 is located in JapanHimeji Castle 姫路城Himeji Castle
姫路城
Coordinates 34°50′22″N 134°41′38″ECoordinates: 34°50′22″N 134°41′38″E
Type Azuchi-Momoyama castle[1]
Height 46.4 m (152 ft)
Site information
Condition Intact, restoration work for preservation recently completed[2]
Site history
Built
1333, 1300 (Himeyama fort/castle)[3]
1581 (expansion)[3]
1601–1609 (expansion)[3]
1617–1618 (expansion)[4][5]
Built by
Akamatsu Norimura (1333–1346)[3]
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1581)[3]
Ikeda Terumasa (1601–1609)[3]
Honda Tadamasa (1617–1618)[4]
In use 1333–1868[3][6]
Materials Wood, stone, plaster, tile[5]
Demolished
1346 (demolished for reconstruction)[3]
1601–1609 (demolished for reconstruction)[5]
Garrison information
Garrison
~500 (Ikeda family, soldiers)[5]
~4,000 (Honda family, soldiers)[5]
~3,000 (Sakakibara family, soldiers)[5]
~2,200 (Sakai family, soldiers)[5]
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria Cultural: i, iv
Reference 661
Inscription 1993 (17th Session)
Area 107 ha
Buffer zone 143 ha
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle (Chinese characters).svg
"Himeji Castle" in kanji
Japanese name
Kanji 姫路城
Transcriptions
Himeji Castle (姫路城 Himeji-jō) is a hilltop Japanese castle complex situated in the city of Himeji which is located in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan. The castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period.[7] The castle is frequently known as Hakuro-jō or Shirasagi-jō ("White Egret Castle" or "White Heron Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.[6][8]

Himeji Castle dates to 1333, when Akamatsu Norimura built a fort on top of Himeyama hill. The fort was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346, and then remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries later. Himeji Castle was then significantly remodeled in 1581 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who added a three-story castle keep. In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu awarded the castle to Ikeda Terumasa for his help in the Battle of Sekigahara, and Ikeda completely rebuilt the castle from 1601 to 1609, expanding it into a large castle complex.[3] Several buildings were later added to the castle complex by Honda Tadamasa from 1617 to 1618.[5] For over 400 years, Himeji Castle has remained intact, even throughout the extensive bombing of Himeji in World War II, and natural disasters such as the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake.[3][2][9]

Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and it was registered in 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.[2] The area within the middle moat of the castle complex is a designated Special Historic Site and five structures of the castle are also designated National Treasures.[5][10] Along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle, Himeji Castle is considered one of Japan's three premier castles.[11] In order to preserve the castle buildings, it underwent restoration work for several years and reopened to the public on March 27, 2015.[12] The works also removed decades of dirt and grime, restoring the formerly grey roof to its original brilliant white color.


Contents
1 History
1.1 Historical recognition
2 Design details
2.1 Defences
3 Cultural impact
3.1 Lore and legend
4 Visitor statistics
5 Additional information
5.1 National treasures and sister castles
5.1.1 Matsumoto Castle
5.1.2 Inuyama Castle
5.1.3 Hikone Castle
5.1.4 Château de Chantilly
6 Gallery
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
History
Himeji Castle's construction dates to 1333, when a fort was constructed on Himeyama hill by Akamatsu Norimura, the ruler of the ancient Harima Province.[3] In 1346, his son Sadanori demolished this fort and built Himeyama Castle in its place.[3][13] In 1545, the Kuroda clan was stationed here by order of the Kodera clan, and feudal ruler Kuroda Shigetaka remodeled the castle into Himeji Castle, completing the work in 1561.[3][14] In 1580, Kuroda Yoshitaka presented the castle to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and in 1581 Hideyoshi significantly remodeled the castle, building a three-story keep with an area of about 55 m2 (590 sq ft).[5][14]

Following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu granted Himeji Castle to his son-in-law, Ikeda Terumasa, as a reward for his help in battle.[3] Ikeda demolished the three-story keep that had been created by Hideyoshi, and completely rebuilt and expanded the castle from 1601 to 1609, adding three moats and transforming it into the castle complex that is seen today.[3][5] The expenditure of labor involved in this expansion is believed to have totaled 2.5 million man-days.[3] Ikeda died in 1613, passing the castle to his son, who also died three years later.[4] In 1617, Honda Tadamasa and his family inherited the castle, and Honda added several buildings to the castle complex, including a special tower for his daughter-in-law, Princess Sen (千姫 Senhime).[4]

In the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912), many Japanese castles were destroyed.[2] Himeji Castle was abandoned in 1871 and some of the castle corridors and gates were destroyed to make room for Japanese army barracks.[5][14] The entirety of the castle complex was slated to be demolished by government policy, but it was spared by the efforts of Nakamura Shigeto, an army colonel.[5] A stone monument honoring Nakamura was placed in the castle complex within the first gate, the Hishi Gate (菱の門 Hishinomon).[5][15] Although Himeji Castle was spared, Japanese castles had become obsolete and their preservation was costly.[5]

Photo of the front of the castle complex
Front view of the castle complex
A 1761 depiction of the castle complex
A 1761 depiction of the castle complex
When the han feudal system was abolished in 1871, Himeji Castle was put up for auction.[5] The castle was purchased by a Himeji resident for 23 Japanese yen (about 200,000 yen or US$2,258 today).[5] The buyer wanted to demolish the castle complex and develop the land, but the cost of destroying the castle was estimated to be too great, and it was again spared.[5]

Himeji was heavily bombed in 1945, at the end of World War II, and although most of the surrounding area was burned to the ground, the castle survived intact.[7] One firebomb was dropped on the top floor of the castle but failed to explode.[16] In order to preserve the castle complex, substantial repair work was undertaken starting in 1956, with a labor expenditure of 250,000 man-days and a cost of 550 million yen.[5][14] In January 1995, the city of Himeji was substantially damaged by the Great Hanshin earthquake, but Himeji Castle again survived virtually undamaged, demonstrating remarkable earthquake resistance.[9] Even the bottle of sake placed on the altar at the top floor of the keep remained in place.[9]

Photo of the "Three Country Moat" in the centre of the castle complex
The "Three Country Moat" in the centre of the castle complex
Historical recognition
Himeji Castle was registered on 11 December 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.[5][2][7] Five structures of the castle are also designated National Treasures: The main keep (大天守 daitenshu),[17][18] northwest small keep (乾小天守 inui kotenshu),[19] west small keep (西小天守 nishi kotenshu),[20] east small keep (東小天守 higashi kotenshu),[21] and I, Ro, Ha, Ni-corridors and kitchen (イ, ロ, ハ, ニの渡櫓附台所1棟 i, ro, ha, ni no watariyagura tsuketari daidokoro 1 to).[10][22] The area within the middle moat of the castle complex is a designated Special Historic Site.[5]

Along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle, Himeji Castle is considered one of Japan's three premier castles.[11] It is the most visited castle in Japan, receiving over 2,860,000 visitors in 2015.[3][2] Starting in April 2010, Himeji Castle underwent restoration work to preserve the castle buildings, and reopened to the public on March 27, 2015.[12]

Design details
Himeji Castle is the largest castle in Japan.[2] It serves as an excellent example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, containing many of the defensive and architectural features associated with Japanese castles.[7] The curved walls of Himeji Castle are sometimes said to resemble giant fans (扇子 sensu), but the principal materials used in the structures are stone and wood.[5][6] Feudal family crests (家紋 kamon) are installed throughout the architecture of the building, signifying the various lords that inhabited the castle throughout its history.[5]

A depiction of the intricate castle complex
A depiction of the intricate castle complex
Photo of the family crest of Ikeda Terumasa
The family crest of Ikeda Terumasa[5]
The Himeji Castle complex is located in the centre of Himeji, Hyōgo on top of a hill called Himeyama, which is 45.6 m (150 ft) above sea level. The castle complex comprises a network of 83 buildings such as storehouses, gates, corridors, and turrets (櫓 yagura).[5][15] Of these 83 buildings, 74 are designated as Important Cultural Assets: 11 corridors, 16 turrets, 15 gates, and 32 earthen walls.[9] The highest walls in the castle complex have a height of 26 m (85 ft).[5] Joining the castle complex is Koko-en Garden (好古園 Kōkoen), a Japanese garden created in 1992 to commemorate Himeji city's 100th anniversary.[23]

From east to west, the Himeji Castle complex has a length of 950 to 1,600 m (3,120 to 5,250 ft), and from north to south, it has a length of 900 to 1,700 m (3,000 to 5,600 ft).[5] The castle complex has a circumference of 4,200 m (2.6 mi).[5] It covers an area of 233 hectares (2,330,000 m2 or 576 acres), making it roughly 50 times as large as the Tokyo Dome or 60 times as large as Koshien Stadium.[3][5][7]

Photo of gun racks inside the keep
Weapon racks inside the keep
The main keep (大天守 daitenshu) at the center of the complex is 46.4 m (152 ft) high, standing 92 m (302 ft) above sea level. Together with the main keep, three smaller subsidiary keeps (小天守 kotenshu) form a cluster of towers.[5] Externally, the keep appears to have five floors, because the second and third floors from the top appear to be a single floor; however, it actually has six floors and a basement.[8] The basement of the main keep has an area of 385 m2 (4,140 sq ft), and its interior contains special facilities that are not seen in other castles, including lavatories, a drain board, and a kitchen corridor.[5]

The main keep has two pillars, with one standing in the east and one standing in the west.[5] The east pillar, which has a base diameter of 97 cm (38 in), was originally a single fir tree, but it has since been mostly original.[5] [24] The base of the west pillar is 85 by 95 cm (33 by 37 in), and it is made of Japanese cypress.[5] During the Shōwa Restoration (1956–1964) a Japanese cypress tree with a length of 26.4 m (87 ft) was brought down from the Kiso Mountains and replaced the old pillar.[5] The tree was broken in this process, so another tree was brought down from Mount Kasagata, and the two trees were joined on the third floor.[5]

The first floor of the main keep has an area of 554 m2 (5,960 sq ft) and is often called the "thousand-mat room" because it has over 330 Tatami mats.[5] The walls of the first floor have weapon racks (武具掛け bugukake) for holding matchlocks and spears, and at one point, the castle contained as many as 280 guns and 90 spears.[5][25] The second floor has an area of roughly 550 m2 (5,900 sq ft).[5]

The third floor has an area of 440 m2 (4,700 sq ft) and the fourth floor has an area of 240 m2 (2,600 sq ft).[5] Both the third and fourth floors have platforms situated at the north and south windows called "stone-throwing platforms" (石打棚 ishiuchidana), where defenders could observe or throw objects at attackers.[5] They also have small enclosed rooms called "warrior hiding places" (武者隠し mushakakushi), where defenders could hide themselves and kill attackers by surprise as they entered the keep.[5] The final floor, the sixth floor, has an area of only 115 m2 (1,240 sq ft).[5] The sixth floor windows now have iron bars in place, but in the feudal period the panoramic view from the windows was unobstructed.[5]

Defences
Photo of defensive loopholes in one of the castle walls. Two of the loopholes are rectangle-shaped, one is triangle-shaped, and one is circle-shaped.
Defensive loopholes
Photo of two angled chutes or "stone drop windows" on a castle structure
Angled chutes or "stone drop windows"
Himeji Castle contains advanced defensive systems from the feudal period.[7] Loopholes (狭間 sama) in the shape of circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles are located throughout Himeji Castle, intended to allow defenders armed with tanegashima or archers to fire on attackers without exposing themselves.[8] Roughly 1,000 loopholes exist in the castle buildings remaining today.[5] Angled chutes called "stone drop windows" (石落窓 ishi-otoshi-mado) were also set at numerous points in the castle walls, enabling stones or boiling oil to be poured on the heads of attackers passing by underneath, and white plaster was used in the castle's construction for its resistance to fire.[26]

The castle complex included three moats, one of which—the outer moat—is now buried.[6] Parts of the central moat and all of the inner moats survive.[6] The moats have an average width of 20 m (66 ft), a maximum width of 34.5 m (113 ft), and a depth of about 2.7 m (8.9 ft).[9] The Three Country Moat (三国堀 sangoku-bori) is a 2,500 m2 (27,000 sq ft) pond which exists inside the castle; one of the purposes of this moat was to store water for use in fire prevention.[5]

The castle complex, particularly the Waist Quarter (腰曲輪 koshikuruwa), contains numerous warehouses that were used to store rice, salt and water in case of a siege.[5] A building known as the Salt Turret (塩櫓 shioyagura) [15] was used specifically to store salt, and it is estimated that it contained as many as 3,000 bags of salt when the castle complex was in use.[5] The castle complex also contained 33 wells within the inner moat, 13 of which remain; the deepest of these has a depth of 30 m (98 ft).[5]

Photo of the large "Diamond Gate"
"Diamond Gate", the first of the castle's 21 remaining gates[5]
One of the castle's most important defensive elements is the confusing maze of paths leading to the castle's keep.[8] The gates, baileys, and outer walls of the complex are organized so as to confuse an approaching force, causing it to travel in a spiral pattern around the complex on its way to the keep.[8] The castle complex originally contained 84 gates, 15 of which were named according to the Japanese syllabary iroha (I, Ro, Ha, Ni, Ho, He, To, etc.).[5] At present, 21 gates from the castle complex remain intact, 13 of which are named according to the Japanese syllabary.[5]

In many cases, the castle walkways even turn back on themselves, greatly inhibiting navigation.[26] For example, the straight distance from the Hishi Gate (菱の門 hishinomon)[15] to the main keep (大天守 daitenshu) is only 130 m (430 ft), but the path itself is a much longer 325 m (1,066 ft).[5] The passages are also steep and narrow, further inhibiting entry.[5] This system allowed the intruders to be watched and fired upon from the keep during their lengthy approach, but Himeji Castle was never attacked in this manner so the system remains untested.[7][8] However, even today with the route clearly marked, many visitors have trouble navigating the castle complex.

Cultural impact
Himeji Castle is frequently known as Hakuro-jō or Shirasagi-jō ("White Egret Castle" or "White Heron Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.[6][8] The castle has been featured extensively in foreign and Japanese films, including the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice" (1967), and Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha (1980) and Ran (1985).[11] In the television miniseries Shōgun (1980) it served as a stand-in for feudal-era Osaka castle.[16] In the video games Civilization Revolution and Civilization V, Himeji Castle is available to build as a world wonder.

Lore and legend
Photo of Okiku's Well
Okiku's Well
Himeji Castle is associated with a number of local legends.[5] The well-known kaidan (or Japanese ghost story) of Banchō Sarayashiki (番町皿屋敷 "The Dish Mansion at Banchō") is set in Edo (Tokyo), but a variant called Banshū Sarayashiki (播州皿屋敷 "The Dish mansion in Harima Province") is set in Himeji Castle. There is a disputed claim that the castle is the bona fide location of the entire legend, and the alleged Okiku's Well remains in the castle to this day.[4] According to the legend, Okiku was falsely accused of losing dishes that were valuable family treasures, and then killed and thrown into the well.[5] Her ghost remained to haunt the well at night, counting dishes in a despondent tone.[5]

The legend of the "Old Widow's Stone" (姥が石 Ubagaishi) is another folklore story associated with the castle.[5] According to the legend, Toyotomi Hideyoshi ran out of stones when building the original three-story keep, and an old woman heard about his trouble.[5] She gave him her hand millstone even though she needed it for her trade.[5] It was said that people who heard the story were inspired and also offered stones to Hideyoshi, speeding up construction of the castle.[5] To this day, the supposed stone can be seen covered with a wire net in the middle of one of the stone walls in the castle complex.[5]

A folklore story is also associated with Sakurai Genbei, who was Ikeda Terumasa's master carpenter in the construction of the keep.[5] According to the legend, Sakurai was dissatisfied with his construction, feeling that the keep leaned a little to the southeast.[5] Eventually, he became distraught and climbed to the top of the keep, where he jumped to his death with a chisel in his mouth.[5]

Visitor statistics
On 14 April 2009, the total number of visits since the Showa-era restoration surpassed 40 million.[27]
1964 – 1,738,000 (Showa-era restoration work completed)
1989 – 1,197,000
1990 – 811,000
1991 – 871,000
1992 – 885,000
1993 – 1,019,000
1994 – 983,000
1995 – 695,000
1996 – 861,000
1997 – 716,000
1998 – 792,000
1999 – 713,000
2000 – 662,000
2001 – 708,000
2002 – 729,000
2003 – 814,000
2004 – 771,000
2005 – 778,000
2006 – 899,000
2007 – 1,023,000
2008 – 1,195,000
2009 – 1,561,000
2010 – 458,000 (restoration work started)
2011 – 611,000
2012 – 711,000
2013 – 881,000[28]
2014 – 919,000[28]
2015 – 2,860,000 (restoration work completed in March)[29]
Additional information
National treasures and sister castles
Other national treasures (castles) besides Himeji Castle include Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle, Matsue Castle, and Hikone Castle. The sister castle of Himeji Castle is Château de Chantilly in France.[30]

Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle (松本城 Matsumoto-jō) is one of Japan's oldest castles and is situated in Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture. The main donjon (天守閣 tenshukaku) was constructed by the Ishikawa family from 1593 to 1594 when the family was put in charge of the castle. The donjon of Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan's oldest existing five stories Tenshu.

Inuyama Castle
Inuyama Castle (犬山城 Inuyama-jō) is located in the southern coast of Kiso river in the city of Inuyama, in Aichi Prefecture. In 1537, Oda Nobunaga's uncle, Oda Nobuyasu strengthened the castle. Inuyama Castle is claimed to be one of Japan's oldest castles and one of the castles that managed to retain its original structure.

Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle (彦根城 Hikone-jō) is located in the eastern coast of Lake Biwa, in Shiga Prefecture. The castle was completed in 1622 by Ii Naokatsu, after 20 years of construction.

Château de Chantilly
Château de Chantilly is a sister castle of Himeji Castle, and it is said to be the most beautiful castle in France. It is located 40 kilometres north of Paris. The castle is a representation of the magnificent architectural style of the Renaissance period. The partnership between Himeji Castle and Chantilly castle began in 1989.

Gallery
Panoramic overview
Panoramic photo of the castle grounds, with Himeji city in the background
A panoramic view of the castle grounds, with Himeji city in the background
Views from afar

The castle's keeps and city as seen from Engyō-ji



The castle complex as seen from the west



Keeps and bridge as seen from the entrance



A view of Keeps and the lush castle grounds below



Keeps as seen from the grounds below

Views from below

One of the steep, narrow walkways controlling access to the castle



One of the steep castle walls



Himeji castle as seen from the princess quarters



The keep as seen from within the inner circle (本丸 honmaru)



Curved gables (千鳥破風 chidori hafu)


Detail of keep

Views at night
Blue Himeji Castle at night 06.jpg

Blue Himeji Castle at night 09.jpg

Himeji castle 2009 07 18.jpg

Himejijo Kangetsukai Oct09 122.JPG

Himejijo Kangetsukai Oct09 198.JPG
Views from above

Castle walls and rooftops



East tower and corridors



The castle rooftops and surrounding city



Part of the intricate castle complex



A mythical tiger-headed fish called shachi (鯱). This motif was used atop the castle towers as a talisman for fire prevention.[8]

Views from the interior

A stone drop window (石落窓 ishi-otoshi-mado)



A window for an archer or defender using a Matchlock



An interior room with Tatami mats



A hallway



Castle windows

Views with cherry blossoms

Taken at Three Country Moats



Sakura at Himeji Castle



Taken at Himeji City Zoo



Taken from the south

Views of the restoration

Temporary cover and gantry



Temporary cover



Different stages of applying plaster to the roof tiles. The plaster protects the roof from water ingress, and stops the tiles being dislodged by typhoon winds.



Roof structure underneath the tiles



View of the keep roof nearing completion, taken from the public view gallery.

Views of pictures

Bodhidharma.



Samurai.



A fish.

See also
Japanese architecture
Japanese castle
Koko-en Garden – Japanese garden joining the castle complex
List of National Treasures of Japan (castles)
List of reportedly haunted locations
List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments
List of World Heritage Sites in Japan
Tourism in Japan
References
"Himeji Castle and its surroundings". Sansen-ya. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
"Himeji Castle starts its renovation in April". Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel. Archived from the original on March 24, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
"A hilltop white heron 400 years old". The Daily Yomiuri. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
Jacqueline A., Ball (2005). Himeji Castle: Japan's Samurai Past. New York: Bearport Publishing. p. 32. ISBN 1-59716-001-6.
"National Treasure Himeji Castle Guide book" (PDF). Himeji Rojyo Lions Club. 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
Bornoff, Nicholas (2000). The National Geographic Traveler: Japan. Washington: National Geographic Society. pp. 256–257. ISBN 0-7894-5545-5.
"Himeji-jo". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
Eyewitness Travel Guides: Japan. New York: Dorling Kindersley Publishing. 2000. pp. 200–203. ISBN 0-7894-5545-5.
"Himeji Castle". Japan Atlas. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
国宝一覧 (in Japanese). Himeji city. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
"The Three Famous Castles of Japan". Kobayashi Travel Service. Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
Hinago, Motoo (1986). Japanese Castles. Kodansha International Ltd. and Shibundo. pp. 121–125. ISBN 0-87011-766-1.
O'Grady, Daniel. "Japanese Castle Explorer – Himeji Castle". Japanese Castle Explorer. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
"世界遺産姫路城　城の楽しみ方". Retrieved May 18, 2016.
Lowe, Sam (May 11, 2010). "Restoring a Japanese Treasure". Best Western's Travel Blog. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
"姫路城大天守". Retrieved May 18, 2016.
"National Treasure, World Heritage, Himeji Castle". Retrieved May 18, 2016.
"姫路城乾小天守". Retrieved May 18, 2016.
"姫路城西小天守". Retrieved May 18, 2016.
"姫路城東小天守". Retrieved May 18, 2016.
"姫路城イ・ロ・ハ・ニの渡櫓附台所1棟". Retrieved May 18, 2016.
"Kokoen Garden, Traditional Japanese Garden in Himeji City". EOK. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
姫路市史第十四巻別編姫路城. Himeji City: City of Himeji. 2001. p. 494.
"Hoplology". Guillaume Morel. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
Turnbull, Stephen (2003). Japanese Castles 1540–1640. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. p. 64. ISBN 978-1-84176-429-0.
姫路城、入場者４０００万人突破　昭和の大修理から４５年で Archived July 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine（共同通信2009年4月14日）
"平成26年度姫路市入込客数、観光動向・イベントアンケート調査報告書 P3" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
Yoshiko Yukinaga. "「姫路城来場者、日本一に。過去最多２８６万人」". Mainichi Shinbun. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
"姫路市｜ほかにもある国宝のお城・姉妹城". www.city.himeji.lg.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 22, 2017.
Further reading
Benesch, Oleg. "Castles and the Militarisation of Urban Society in Imperial Japan," Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, Vol. 28 (Dec. 2018), pp. 107-134.
Benesch, Oleg and Ran Zwigenberg (2019). Japan's Castles: Citadels of Modernity in War and Peace. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 375. ISBN 9781108481946.
Mitchelhill, Jennifer (2013). Castles of the Samurai:Power & Beauty. USA: Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-56836-512-1.
Schmorleitz, Morton S. (1974). Castles in Japan. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Co. pp. 123–125. ISBN 0-8048-1102-4.
Motoo, Hinago (1986). Japanese Castles. Tokyo: Kodansha. ISBN 0-87011-766-1.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Himeji Castle.
Official website
Japan's Samurai Castles
Asian Historical Architecture – Himeji Castle
Japanese Castle Explorer – Himeji Castle
UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Himeji Castle
Japan Atlas: Himeji Castle
Video
The White Fortress: Himeji-jo (UNESCO video at YouTube)
Himeji Castle timelapse on YouTube
Discover the Himeji Castle in Japan
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World Heritage Sites in Japan
Categories: 1581 establishments in JapanBuildings and structures completed in 1346Buildings and structures completed in 1581Buildings and structures completed in 1609Castles in Hyōgo PrefectureHimeji, HyōgoHonda clanHouses completed in 1618Ikeda clanImportant Cultural Properties of JapanKuroda clanMaebashi-Matsudaira clanNational Treasures of JapanOkudaira-Matsudaira clanReportedly haunted locationsSakai clanSakakibara clanSpecial Historic SitesToyotomi clanWorld Heritage Sites in Japan
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Belt Rank



Sanwang Yi Ren Shu - (Lost Skill Art Ninjutsu)

SIHING-SENIOR STUDENT ( 12 months study )

Dark Blue Sash - Blind aprx 3-5 months - The student is blind to the knowedge and power of the system

Blue Sash aprx 4-6 months - Understanding how to flow like water

Green Sash - Ground aprx 5-6 months - Understanding how to move at all levels


SIDAI-JUNIOR STUDENT ( 18 Months study )

Yellow Sash - Being Aware - 15 - 18 months - Knowing when to attack


TODAI - SIFU's STUDENTS (s) ( 12 to 24 Months study )

Orange Sash - Chi - 20 to 24 Months - Understanding the power of your chi and how to use it in the system

Red Sash - Attack - 12 Months - ( Private ) - Knowing the power of the art and knowing when and when not to use it

White Sash - Pure - 12 Months - ( Private ) - The student fully understands the basics of the art.


INSTRUCTOR LEVELS (PRIVATE) ( Must be 18 years of age or older )

SIFU - Teacher and the master of a school
5 - 8 Year Study - ( Must be no less then 20 years old )

SIGUNG - Grand teacher
8 - 12 Year Study - ( Must be no less then 27 years old )

SITAIGUNG - Great-grand teacher
12 - 15 Study - ( Must be no less then 35 years old )

Sijo: Founder



Bujinkan Ninjutsu

9TH KYU REQUIREMENTS- Beginner's Level 1
Building your foundation. Learn the proper Ninjutsu bowing-in procedures, how to tie your belt, how to warm up & stretch before training & the basic standing postures of Seiza, Hira & Ichimonji no kamae. This tape teaches you basic forward & backward rolls and breakfalls (how to go to the ground without getting hurt) as well as the basic punches and kicks of Ninjutsu. Covers how to be out of the way of attacks with proper evasion by using your body effectively. You’ll begin learning the Sanshin no kata, a set of 5 elemental movement forms which teach very important principles of movement and feeling. At 9th Kyu level you’ll learn the basic Chi or earth feeling form of the Sanshin. Intro Level - Basic Body conditioning, Belt tying, Bowing, Movement Basics, Natural Postures of Shizen, Seiza & Ichimonji, Earth Form, Evasion, Rolling, Basic Punching and Kicking


8TH KYU REQUIREMENTS- Beginner's Level 2
The focus of this tape is taihenjutsu or basic falling, leaping & evasion skills. The foundation for all of the more advanced techniques you will learn rests upon your ability to move fluidly and go to the ground without fear. In 8th Kyu you’ll work more on your rolling & body movement skills as well as adding the postures of Hoko, Doko & Jumonji no kamae. You’ll learn Omote & Ura Gyaku (inside and outside basic wrist grabs & reversals) as well as Tehodoki (basic wrist escapes) & basic Hanbo (3 ft staff) movements. Continuing the Sanshin no kata you’ll learn the basic Sui or water feeling form movement. At 8th kyu you will be introduced to the Kihon Happo movements, the fundamental ways of moving upon which our art and most all of the martial arts are based. From this level on up you will need a partner to work out with. Ichimonji no kata is the first movement drill you will learn from the Kihon Happo. Wrist grabs - Locks and escapes, Cartwheels, Weapon- Hanbo (3ft wooden staff), Water form, Being a training partner (Uke), Blocks, Escape from grabs, Striking techniques. Jumonji, Hoko and Doko No Kamae.


7TH KYU REQUIREMENTS - Beginner’s Level 3
Emphasis at this level is on having more flowing body movement with less effort. You need to be able to go to the ground effectively and be able to take your partner off balance using your body movement rather than muscle. You’ll learn side rolls, more advanced back rolls, standing, forward, backward & sideways breakfalls. The postures of Kosei, Hicho & Ihen no kamae are covered as well as Shuto (cupped hand) strikes & backward and sideways kicks. More punching drills, Kihon Happo & the Sanshin forms of Ka (fire) & Fu (wind) as well as the Gyaku Waza (wrist reversals) techniques of Omote Oni Kudaki & Hon Gyaku. Basic tanto (knife) techniques are also covered. Advanced Rolling methods, Breakfalls, Kicks, Fire & Wind feeling forms (SanShin), Beginning grappling (Kihon Happo), Knife understanding attacks, Postures: Ihen, Kosei, & Hicho, Posture flow drill, Oni-kudaki.

6TH KYU REQUIREMENTS - Intermediate Level 4
At this level in your taihenjutsu (body movement skills) you should be able to roll without using your hands so that you can either pick up a weapon or take down an attacker as you are rolling. This tape covers how to do this as well as Shiho Tenchi Tobi (4-way leaping skills), Shiho Geri (4-way kicking) and Sokoyaku Ken (heel/sole foot dance). You’ll learn the last set of the Sanshin no kata, the Ku or void feeling form. From the Kihon Happo you’ll practice the Jumonji no kata (crossed hand posture movement drill) & Musha Dori. The Kusari fundo,a weighted chain, is the weapon focus for this level (we always use a rope version for safety when training with a partner). The importance of meditation & diet are covered as well. Leaping skills in several directions, Thumb striking, Void feeling form, Medium level Grappling, Weapon -Kusari Fundo- (Rope/Chain) techniques, Advanced kicking including 4-way (Shiho tenchi Tobi). Meditation, Diet, More Kihon Happo.

5TH KYU REQUIREMENTS - Intermediate Level 5
The focus at this level is learning the Kihon Happo movements with efficiency and knowledge of the Japanese names for each technique. This level is a major step and accuracy as well as good body flow is a must. Advanced kicking & punching methods practiced while going to the ground as well as Muto Dori Gata (empty handed sword evasion forms) are on this tape. You’ll learn how to strike using the Boshi Ken (thumb fist) & Shako Ken (claw fist), and to kick using Kakushi Geri & Sampo Geri forms. Continuing the Kihon Happo you’ll learn Hicho no kata (flying bird form movement drill) and Ganseki Nage (beginning throwing forms). Basic grappling forms are also covered at this level and the weapon focus for this level is Shuriken (throwing stars).Sword evasion forms, Medium level Grappling (Kihon Happo), Body grab escapes, Shuriken techniques, Beginning throws (Nage), advanced kicking and punching methods also done while falling.


3RD KYU REQUIREMENTS - Intermediate Level 7
At this point in your training your attention should be on your partner’s body & the effects that your movement & technique have on your partner. This tape reviews the importance of this as well as introducing the sword, including how to hold it, 10 different sword kamae (postures) and the basic movements and cuts from each of the 10 postures. Advanced Taisabaki (body evasion) is covered on this tape, paying specific attention to distancing & timing, as well as advanced Ganseki Nage (throwing forms), power moves & damaging blows to crush your opponent. Sword postures (10 different kamae) , basic movement and cutting from each one, Throwing skills of ganseki forms, Silent movement, using nature, Fist and body harmony, power moves, damaging blows crush your opponent.

2ND KYU REQUIREMENTS- Advanced Level 8
This level focuses on advanced falling, leaping, and evasion skills. Kuten (front handspring), Noburi kata (climbing trees, buildings, poles), and Suwari gata (kneeling forms): wrist grabs, reversals, throws and kicks from a kneeling position are shown. You’ll learn five new strikes: Shuki ken (hand start fist), Sakki ken (foot start fist), Shishin ken (finger needle strike) and Happa ken (eight leaf fist) as well as Tai ken, the use of the whole body as a fist. Koppo jutsu or bone attacks and Shime waza go kata (the five strangle hold/choking techniques) are also taught on this tape. Weapon focus on this video is the proper use of Shuko (hand claws) and Kenjutsu Shinobi Iai the art of properly drawing a sword. Discussion on using dreams as insight into things that are happening in your life. Choking and strangulation holds, Knee and elbow strikes, Bone attacks, Climbing trees skills, How to draw a Sword several ways, Fighting from sitting and kneeling, Hand claws, Dream work.

1ST KYU REQUIREMENTS- Advanced Level 9
This tape covers Stealth movement and Gotonpo (body concealment methods using nature to escape). Koshijutsu (organ and muscle attacks) are taught using points on the wrists, arms, shoulders, throat, face, back, chest and legs etc. Advanced throwing variations (henka) from the Kihon Happo movements of Ura Gyaku, Omote Gyaku, Musha Dori and Ganseki Nage are shown as well as Koshi nage (hip throws), Itami nage (pain throws) and a rare demonstration of Kuki nage (throwing without touching your opponent by using energy and intent only- no body contact). Weapon focus is the Kyoketsu shoge (long rope with circular ring on one end and a double bladed dagger on the other) and how to use Metsubushi (blinding powder). Stealth, Escaping from danger using nature (Gotonpo), Advanced throws (Nage waza), Organ and muscle attacks of Koshijutsu, Variations of advanced grappling forms, Rare Shoge weapon, Metsubushi blinding powders.

BLACK BELT 1st Degree (SHODAN) LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
Knife and gun disarms, how to deal with multiple attackers, Kihon Happo reversing and countering techniques as well as natural taijutsu (body movement) with a gun. Breaking body balance, flowing from technique to technique, capturing the essence of the techniques, and getting your life to work for you are all covered on this video tape. If you have really been practicing, by this level of your training your life should be very different than when you first started training. You will be more confident, more relaxed and generally a happier, more aware, and more conscious human being. Now you are ready to really train! Knife and gun disarms, Handling multiple attackers, Reversing/countering techniques, Natural Gun shooting, breaking body balance, flowing technique to technique, capturing the feeling, Randori.
After learning a very solid overview of the nine traditions that make up the teachings of the Bujinkan Dojo you will begin to explore the actual school (know as Ryu) material in a more in depth way by studying the deeper principles and partner exchange forms called waza. Unlike a Kata which is performed by oneself to perfection. Wazas are interactive drills that are done with at least 2 persons both in a formal way and with many variations so that the principles of the school can also be learned. Wazas also help you learn timing, distancing, and eventually true budo protection methods. Each of the 9 schools have their own focuses and attributes and may favor certain weapons.

Nidan Level Training
2nd degree Black Belt training includes Kosshijutsu study of the principles and Gyokko ryu wazas of Jo Ryaku no maki, Churaku no maki and Geryaku/Mutodori gedan plus 29 Kukishinden Ryu Hanbojutsu, Shoden/Chuden/Okuden level wazas.

Sandan Level Training
3rd degree Black Belt training includes principles and wazas of Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu, Ten & Chi No Maki, Shizen Shikoku No Kata Jutaijutsu, Shoden Gata/Juroku Gata/Chuden/Okuden levels and from Kukishinden Ryu: Rokushakubojutsu - Shoden, Chuden, Okuden, Kuden levels

Yondan Level Training
4th degree Black Belt training includes principles and wazas of Takagi Yoshin Jutaijutsu including Shoden No Kata/Chuden No Sabakigata/Chuden No Tai No Gata/Okuden No Kata levels and Eri Shimegata, Moguri levels.
Kukishinden Ryu: Yari Jutsu, Kodachi, Muto Dori

Godan Level Training
5th Degree Blackbelt training includes principles and wazas of Koto Ryu Koppojutsu
Shoden -Chuden-Okuden - Hekuto No Kata. Daishosabaki - Bokuden Ryu
Shiken Gata Shodan thru Kudan levels
At this time all 5th degree (Godan) tests must be taken in Japan with Soke Masaaki Hatsumi

Rokudan Level Training
6th degree Black Belt training includes principles and wazas of Kukishinden Ryu
Dakentaijutsu including the Shoden / Chuden / Sabaki Gata / Okuden No Kata / Shirabe Moguri Gata levels. Weapon is Naginata and Roikumiuchi.

Nanadan Level Training
7th degree Black Belt training includes principles and wazas of Togakure Ryu Happo Hiken Kenpo- Itto giri / Kakushi Iai Sanpo / Ukemi gata / Shinobi Iai Happo Sabaki Happo Bikenjutsu Level 1. Specialties / Ninpo

Hachidan Level Training
8th degree Black Belt training is Juppo Sessho and includes wazas of Kukishinden Jojutsu - Shoden Koshiki Gata - Kjui no ho, Kutsu no ho (Joruku gata) Happo Bikenjutsu Level 2
plus Jutte and Bisento -

Kudan Level Training
9th degree Black Belt training includes the basic understanding of Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu principles / Jutaijutsu Jodan No Kurai Tehodoki and Taihodoki Kukishinden Ryu:
Tessen Jutsu Happo Bikenjutsu level 3 Budo Taijutsu Weapons Ura Waza


Judan Level Training
10th degree Black Belt training includes the understanding of Budo Taijutsu Ura Waza principles Happo Bikenjutsu Level 4 and a personal choice of a deep spiritual practice. Take a look at Gyokushin Ryu principles.

Judan has 5 Grade levels
10th Dan Judan
10th Dan Judan Chigyo Happo Biken
10th Dan Judan Suigyo Happo Biken
10th Dan Judan Kagyo Happo Biken
10th Dan Judan Fugyo Happo Biken
10th Dan Judan Kugyo Happo Biken
The 5 advanced levels of Judan are awarded by Soke Hatsumi at his discretion.
While really incorrect they are often referred to 11th to 15th dan, even by Soke Hatsumi as it became easier to say


Koga Ryu Ninjutsu Belt System


KYU (NON-BLACK BELT) RANKS


(No level) MU-KYU aprx.2-3 Months


(7th) NANA-KYU (White) aprx.2-3 Months


(6th) ROKU-KYU (Yellow) aprx.5-6 Months


(5th) GO-KYU (Orange) aprx.5-6 Months


(4th) YON-KYU (Green) aprx .5-6 Months


(3rd) SAN-KYU (Blue) aprx .5-6 Months


(2nd) NI-KYU (Red) aprx .5-6 Months


(1st) IK-KYU (Brown) aprx.7-9 Months


DAN (BLACK BELT) RANKS


(1st) SHODAN - aprx.7-9 Months (Instructor) Sensei

(2nd) NIDAN - (aprx. 1 Year) 12-14 Months (Instructor) Sensei

(3rd) SANDAN - (aprx. 2 year) 24-26 Months (Instructor) Renshi

(4th) YONDAN - (aprx. 3 year) 36-38 Months (Instructor) Renshi

(5th) GODAN - (aprx. 4 year) 48-50 Months (Master Instructor) Shidoshi/Shihan

(6th) ROKUDAN - (aprx. 5 year) 60-62 Months (Master Instructor) Shidoshi/Shihan

(7th) NANADAN - (aprx. 6 year) 72-74 Months (Master Instructor) Shidoshi/Shihan

(8th)HATCHIDAN - (aprx. 7 year) 84-86 Months (Master Instructor) Shidoshi/Shihan

(9th) KUDAN - (aprx. 8 year) 96-98 Months (Master Instructor) Shidoshi/Shihan

(10th) JUDAN - (Master Instructor) Soke/Shihan

[Freddie]

Bujinkan
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Bujinkan
(武神館)
Bujinkan-logo
The Bujinkan Logo
Date founded c.1970
Founder Masaaki Hatsumi
Current head Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭)
Arts taught Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu
Ancestor schools
• Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu
• Kotō-ryū Koppō jutsu
• Shinden fudō-ryū dakentai jutsu
• Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu
• Kukishinden Ryu
• Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu
• Togakure-ryū
• Gyokushin-ryū ninpō
• Kumogakure-ryū ninpō
Official website www.bujinkan.com
The Bujinkan (武神館) is an international martial arts organization [1] based in Japan and headed by Masaaki Hatsumi. The combat system taught by this organization comprises nine separate ryūha, or schools, which are collectively referred to as Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu.[2][3] The Bujinkan is most commonly associated with ninjutsu. However, Masaaki Hatsumi uses the term Budo (meaning martial way) as he says the ryūha are descended from historical samurai schools that teach samurai martial tactics and ninjutsu schools that teach ninja tactics.[4]


Contents
1 Training
1.1 Taijutsu
1.1.1 Tori and Uke
1.1.2 Ukemi and balance
1.2 Physical conditioning
1.3 Origins
1.4 Recent history
2 Ninpo
2.1 Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō
2.2 Togakure-ryū
3 Uniforms and rankings
3.1 Kyu levels
3.2 Dan levels
4 References
Training
The Bujinkan organization incorporates the teachings of the martial arts lineages (ryūha) that Masaaki Hatsumi learned from Takamatsu Toshitsugu under the banner of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.[2] These are:[5][6]

Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術)
Gyokushin-ryū Ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法)
Kumogakure Ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法)
Koto Ryū Koppō jutsu (虎倒流骨法術)
Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu (玉虎流骨指術)
Kuki Shinden Happō Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)
Shinden Fudo Ryū Dakentai jutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術)
Takagi Yoshin Ryū Jūtai jutsu (高木揚心流柔体術)
Gikan Ryū Koppō jutsu (義鑑流骨法術)

Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu training does not include participation in competitions or contests,[7] as the school's training aims to develop the ability to protect oneself and others using techniques that focus on disabling an attacker (&/or removing their desire/ability to continue) as efficiently as possible.[8]

This training is conducted in a manner in which there are predefined "attackers" (tori) and "receivers" (uke) similar to drills in judo (gokyo) or traditional Japanese martial arts. However, the Bujinkan differs from many traditional martial arts in that the training progresses through the following stages:[9]

Predefined sets of movements (kata) and physical conditioning
Variations to the fixed drills (henka), responding to changes in the attacker's movements or situation
Free form training (randori) consisting mostly of spur-of-the-moment, dynamic techniques during which the defender hits, locks, chokes or throws the attacker in a controlled and safe manner
More advanced training consists of controlling the attacker's mind using various techniques such as pain compliance and deception
Training is done in a manner that entails little risk of permanent injury.[10]

The Bujinkan does not adhere to any official guideline or set of rules to limit actions or techniques used during training. The approach used in the Bujinkan includes gaining compliance through pain and utilising potentially damaging techniques in order to survive dangerous situations rather than focusing on winning a competition or evenly matched duel.[8] As a result, many of the staple responses of a Bujinkan student would be inappropriate in most competitions.

The Bujinkan largely focuses on “taijutsu” (body movement / skills) as well as other skills of ninjutsu (ninpo tactics and strategies) and happo biken jutsu (various modern and traditional weapons) - this is The Bujinkan's branch of Kukishin-ryū

Taijutsu
Taijutsu (body combat art) is the Bujinkan system of unarmed defence using strikes, throws, holds, chokes and joint locks. It encompasses skill such as: koppo jutsu is the "way of attacking and/or using the skeletal structure"; “koshi jutsu” is the way of attacking muscles and weak points on the body; jutai jutsu is the "relaxed body method" teaching throwing, grappling and choking techniques and dakentai jutsu which emphasises strikes, kicks and blocks

The first levels of training, such as leaping, tumbling, break fall techniques and body conditioning, form the basis for taijutsu. They are needed to progress into other techniques such as unarmed combat and the use of tools and weapons. Once learned, Taijutsu techniques can be applied to any situation, armed or unarmed.[11][12][13]

Tori and Uke
Training begins with two partners practicing pre-arranged forms (waza or kata) and then advancing to unlimited variations of those forms (henka). The basic pattern is for the Tori (Tori, or the person applying the technique) to initiate a technique against the person who receives the technique (Uke).

Ukemi and balance
Bujinkan taijutsu seeks to use body movement and positioning rather than strength to defeat the opponent. All techniques in Bujinkan taijutsu involve unbalancing the opponent while maintaining one's own balance. This is achieved by moving the opponent into inferior positions and manipulating their body along weak lines where it is difficult for the opponent to resist. The attacker continuously seeks to regain balance and cover vulnerabilities (such as an exposed side), while the defender uses position and timing to keep the attacker off balance and vulnerable. In more advanced training, the attacker will sometimes apply reversal techniques (返し技 kaeshi-waza) to regain balance and disable the defender.

Ukemi (受身) refers to the act of receiving a technique. Good ukemi involves a roll or breakfall to avoid pain or injury such as dislocation of a joint. Thus, learning to roll and breakfall effectively is key to safe training in taijutsu. Before receiving the 9th kyu (the lowest rank), a student must demonstrate the ability to roll smoothly in a variety of directions without exposing the neck to injury.

Physical conditioning
Junan taiso (junan meaning flexible) is a yogic method of stretching and breathing[14] by means of which the Bujinkan practitioner may develop and maintain good physical condition and wellbeing. The exercises promote relaxation, blood circulation, muscle toning and flexibility,[15] and form a core part of all training sessions. Junan taiso is a form of conditioning and preparation for the body. All major joints are rotated and stretched in a proper manner while healthy breathing and concentration are practiced.[16]

Origins
Almost all of the martial arts/ryuha in the Bujinkan are listed with their historical lineages in the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten (Encyclopedia of Martial Art Schools, researched by Watatani Kiyoshi and Yamada Tadashi and first published in 1963).[17] From 1968 on (4 years before Takamatsu's death), the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten has had entries for Hatsumi below Takamatsu.[17]

Several Bujinkan ryūha were mentioned in the Kakutogi no Rekishi (History of Fighting Arts).[18] Although details are omitted, it states, "there are several schools that are well-known for being 'effective arts' (jitsuryoku ha)". Among the schools listed in this section are Gyokko Ryū, Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu, Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō, Kukishin-ryū, Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu and Asayama Ichiden-ryū (which is not part of the Bujinkan's nine schools but was studied by Hatsumi via Takashi Ueno).[18]

Several of the samurai systems taught by Hatsumi such as Kuki Shinden Ryū Happō Bikenjutsu and Takagi Yoshin Ryū Jūtai jutsu have well documented lineages with different branches of these arts surviving under their own Sōke.[19][20] However, whilst the ninja's activities are well documented, the nature of ninjutsu & the historical context means that there are no surviving written records of ninjutsu teachings prior to 1676.[21] As a result, some researchers assert that there is no way to independently verify the oral lineage included in the Togakure Ryu tradition.[22]

In the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten the researchers list the full lineage for Togakure-ryū stating the following: "The succession is an oral tradition from Toda Shinryūken. Toda Shinryūken Masamitsu died in 1908 at the age of 90 years. According to the lineage, Ikai originated the school, and in the Yōwa period (1181-1182), it separated from Hakuun Dōshi of Hakuun-ryū and became the Kōga and Iga schools of ninjutsu. The lineage passed through Momochi Sandayū and entered into the Natori-ryū of Kishū domain. From the time of Toda Nobutsuna, the tradition was passed on to the Toda family. This genealogy refers to dates and kuden (orally transmitted stories/lessons) about people implying that these people were older than written records would suggest"[23][24]

The entry regarding Gyokko Ryu is as follows: "Receiving the tradition of Gyokko ryu Shitojutsu from Sakagami Taro Kunishige of the Tenbun era, Toda Sakyo Ishinsai established Gyokko ryu Koshijutsu as well as Koto ryu Koppojutsu, passing them on to Momochi Sandayu, bringing them within the traditions of Iga ryu Ninjutsu of Toda Shinryuken who lived during the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate (ended 1868). It is said that Toda Shinryuken died in the 14th year of the Meiji Emperor (1881) at the age of 90 years." [25][26]

The entry regarding Koto Ryu is as follows: "The genesis of koppoujutsu is said to have been in ancient China. Koto ryu was brought to our country by a Chan Bushou* of Korea, after this it was brought within the traditions of Iga ryu Ninjutsu, and it’s revitalization in the Tenbun era is said to have been from Momochi Sandayu inheriting the tradition from Toda Sakyo Ishinsai (oral tradition from Toda Shinryuken)." [26][27]

Recent history
Since 1988, Hatsumi's teaching has focused on a particular theme, or focus, each year. This typically means that a specific ryū, or a certain set of techniques from specific ryū, will be taught. Hatsumi announces the year's theme each year at the Daikomyosai.

Depending on what years a student has studied in Japan, they may find that their focus reflects the themes or schools taught during their time.[clarification needed] This is one reason why there are often noticeable differences in the techniques of different teachers in the Bujinkan. Although Ninpo Taijutsu is an overall theme of the Bujinkan, 2008 marked the first time that a Ninpo Taijutsu Ryū was the focus of the year. Prior to founding the Bujinkan organization and teaching the nine Ryū collectively (with particular yearly focus), Hatsumi awarded his students rank certificates in individual Ryū. The themes so far have been:

2018 - Muto Dori Continued
2017 - Muto Dori
2015 - Nagamaki
2014 – 神韻武導 Shin In Bu Dou / 神 SHIN, JIN god, deity; mind, soul / 韻 IN rhyme; elegance; tone / 武 BU, MU martial, military arts, chivalry. Bu or Mu refers to the warrior, Bushi or Musha / 導 DŌ leading, guiding.
2013 – Ken Engetsu no Kagami ("mirror of the fullmoon sword")/ Tachi Hôken ("divine treasure sword")— Ken, Tachi, and Katana/ Naginata and Yari
2012 – Jin Ryo Yo Go - Kaname, Sword and Rokushakubo, separately and with one in each hand
2011 – Kihon Happo
2010 – Rokkon Shoujou
2009 – 才能 魂 器 ”saino konki”/ Talent, Heart, Capacity / Talent, Soul, Capacity
2008 – Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu
2007 – Kukishin Ryu
2006 – Shinden Fudo Ryu
2005 – Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu (Bo and Tachi)
2004 – Daishou Juutai jutsu (Roppo-Kuji-no Biken)
2003 – Juppo Sessho
2002 – Jutai jutsu (Takagi Yoshin Ryu)
2001 – Kosshi jutsu (Gyokko Ryu)
2000 – Koppo jutsu (Koto Ryu)
1999 – Kukishinden Ryu
1998 – Shinden Fudo Ryu
1997 – Jojutsu
1996 – Bokken
1995 – Naginata
1994 – Yari
1993 – Rokushakubojutsu
1992 – Taijutsu Power
1991 – Sword and Jutte
1990 – Hanbo
1989 – Taijutsu and Weapons
1988 – Taijutsu
No focus was announced for 2009, though Hatsumi talked about three things that are important for a martial artist, which may be loosely considered to be the yearly theme. He said that these things would become a bit of a theme for next year.[28]

Sainou (Ability/talent)
Kokoro (Heart)
Utsuwa (Capacity)
Soon after this theme as was announced, Hatsumi proposed that the second aspect, Kokoro (Heart), be replaced by Tamashii (Soul), reasoning that the heart is constantly changing, whereas the soul is permanent and unchanging and therefore "essential to the person".[28]

Ninpo
Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō
Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō ("The Jeweled Heart School") is taught by the Bujinkan martial arts organization. According to the Bujinkan, Gyokushin Ryu has sutemi waza techniques and is focused more on the art and techniques of espionage than on fighting. Its most prominent weapon is the lasso (nagenawa).[29] The Bugei Ryuha Daijiten states that Takamatsu Toshitsugu transferred the Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō to Hatsumi in the middle of the 20th century, making Hatsumi its lineage holder. Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō is taught today in the Bujinkan organization.[30][31][32][33][34] According to the Bujinkan martial arts organization, Gyokushin-ryū was founded in the mid-16th century by Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi, who was also sōke of Gyokko-ryū, which explains the similarities between the two styles. Gyokushin-ryū is considered a style of koshi jutsu. Hatsumi is the 21st sōke.[29]

Togakure-ryū
Main article: Togakure-ryū
According to Bujinkan members, Ninja Jūhakkei (the eighteen disciplines) were first identified in the scrolls of Togakure-ryū 戸隠流, or "School of the Hidden Door", founded during the Oho period (1161–62) by one Daisuke Nishina (Togakure), who learned a life view and techniques (ninjutsu) from Kagakure Doshi.[35] Togakure ryu Ninjutsu Hidensho is a manuscript in Hatsumi's possession that is said to document Togakure-ryū. It is the purported origin of the "18 skills of Ninjutsu."

Ninja jūhakkei was often studied along with Bugei jūhappan (the 18 samurai fighting art skills). Though some techniques were used in the same way by both samurai and ninja, others were used differently by the two groups. The 18 disciplines are:[36]

Seishinteki kyōyō (spiritual refinement)
Taijutsu (unarmed combat)
Kenjutsu (sword techniques including Tojutsu)
Bōjutsu (stick and staff techniques)
Sōjutsu (spear techniques)
Naginatajutsu (naginata techniques)
Kusarigamajutsu (kusarigama techniques)
Shurikenjutsu (throwing weapons techniques)
Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics)
Hensōjutsu (disguise and impersonation)
Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods)
Bajutsu (horsemanship)
Sui-ren (water training)
Bōryaku (tactics)
Chōhō (espionage)
Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment)
Tenmon (meteorology)
Chi-mon (geography)
The name of the discipline of taijutsu (体術), literally means "body skill". Historically in Japan, the word is often used interchangeably with jujutsu and many others to refer to a range of grappling skills. It is also used in the martial art of aikido to distinguish unarmed fighting techniques from others, such as those of stick fighting. In ninjutsu, especially since the emergence of the Ninja movie genre, it was used to avoid referring explicitly to "ninja" combat techniques.[citation needed]

Uniforms and rankings
Kyu levels
The Bujinkan Dōjō has a series of kyū (grades) below the level of shodan. The new student starts at mukyu ("without grade") and progresses from kukyu (9-kyu), the lowest rank, to ikkyu (1-kyu), the highest. Unranked (mukyū) practitioners wear white belts, kyu grade practitioners wear green belts (men) or red belts (women), and those with ranks of shōdan and above wear black belts. In some dojos kyu-level practitioners – especially in children's classes – wear colored belts, though the actual color of the belt varies from place to place. In Japan it was once customary for kyu-level men to wear green belts over a black ninjutsugi and women to wear red belts over a purple ninjutsugi, but this practice has largely been abandoned. Currently, both male and female Bujinkan practitioners now wear green belts over a black ninjutsugi and on the feet they wear tabi (soft-sole tabi for indoor training and jika-tabi for outdoor training) at most dojos.

Dan levels
There are fifteen dan grades in the Bujinkan, although only ten are formally recognised (10th dan has five levels within it). With the exception of fifth dan (see below) there are no fixed criteria for attaining each grade. Different dojos have their own approaches based on the cultural environment and the instructor's preference.

Typically the study of tenchijin ryaku no maki (scrolls of heaven, earth and man) guides progression from 9-kyu to shodan (1st dan) and comprises all the fundamental techniques required for advanced study thereafter. Until 4th dan the student is expected to focus on developing strong foundations and to perfect their form. At 5th dan the training focus changes to becoming more responsive and responding naturally in dynamic & increasingly challenging situations.

In order to attain fifth dan (godan), fourth dan practitioners must submit to a sakki (or godan) test before the sōke to establish that they are able to sense the presence of danger and evade it, which is considered a fundamental survival skill.[7][37] After passing this test, a practitioner is considered to be under the protection of the Bujin, or Guiding Spirits, and is entitled to apply for a teaching license (shidōshi menkyo). A shidōshi (士道師) is entitled to open their own Bujinkan dōjō and grade students up to fourth dan. A practitioner between first dan and fourth dan may become a licensed assistant teacher (shidōshi-ho) if backed by and acting under the supervision of a shidōshi. In the Bujinkan, a person ranked tenth dan or higher is often referred to as a shihan.

The practitioner's level is displayed by the color of the art's emblem, called wappen (ワッペン) inscribed with the kanji "bu"(武) and "jin" (神). There are four kinds of wappen (9 to 1 kyū, 1 to 4 dan, 5 to 9 dan, and 10 to 15 dan), sometimes augmented with up to four silver, gold or white stars (called hoshi) above or around the emblem, representing the individual ranks.

In addition to the kyu/dan system, a few practitioners have earned menkyo kaiden "licenses of complete transmission" in individual schools. These establish that the master practitioner has learned all that there is to learn about the particular lineage. Whereas the kyu/dan ranks are often made public, those who have earned menkyo kaiden rarely divulge their status, sometimes even being reluctant to recognize their actual dan ranking to outsiders.

References
"Bujinkan Dojo - Soke Masaaki Hatsumi". bujinkan.com.
"What are the nine traditions?". Benevolent Heart Bujinkan Dojo. Retrieved 28 August 2011.;
Phelan, Stephen. "Lethal weapon: Hanging with the world's last living ninja". travel.cnn.com. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
"Black Belt Times". Black Belt. August 2000. p. 10. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
Stephen Hayes(1983) "Warrior Path of Togakure" page 7; primary source – Former Bujinkan instructor
http://bujinkanbudotaijutsu.co.uk; primary source – Bujinkan organization
Kessler, Sandra E. (November 1994). "Ninja in the 20th century". Black Belt. pp. 38–43. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
"The Progression of Bujinkan Training". todaidojo.com.
"Bujinkan Sanami Dojo". bujinkansanamidojo.com.
Hatsumi Masaaki (2004). The Way of the Ninja. Kodansha. p. 36.
Hayes, Stephen K. (1990). The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art. Tuttle Publishing.
"Religion in Japan". google.com.
"Flexibilities". google.com.
[Davey, H.E. (2006). Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation Berkeley, USA. ISBN 1-880656-60-4. pp. 216.]
Black Belt Magazine, October 1985, pg 29, Darryl Caldwell, 'Diary of a Ninja Trainee';primary source – Written by Darryl Caldwell, Bujinkan instructor
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
The History of Fighting Arts. 1843. pp. 508–517.
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-13. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
"Hontai Yoshin Ryu". hontaiyoshinryu.co.uk.
Ninja: 1,000 Years of the Shadow Warriors by John Man
"Ninjutsu: is it koryu bujutsu?". Koryu.com. 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
Watatani Kiyoshi and Yamada Tadashi (1978). Bugei Ryuha Daijiten. Various. pp. 626–627. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
"Ninjutsu and Koryu Bujutsu | Martial Arts Database". Mardb.com. 1999-05-19. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
“Bugei Ryuha Daijiten” page 229
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
“Bugei Ryuha Daijiten” page 296
Ohashi, George. "Attention". Bujinkan web page; primary source
Budotaijutsu Archived October 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine; primary source – Bujinkan organization
Tetsuzan: Chapter1 p18; ISBN 4-901619-06-3
Alex Esteve: Exploring the essence of the Martial Arts, ISBN 978-84-85278-30-5
Ninjustsu, History and Tradition; ISBN 0-86568-027-2:primary source – written by Alex Esteve, Bujinkan instructor
Footprints of the Bujinkan dojo soke; primary source, Bujinkan organization
bushinblog » Print » Authenticity and the Bujinkan Archived February 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine; primary source – written by Ben Cole, Bujinkan instructor
Ninjitsu, World of Martial Arts, by Robert Hill. Primary source: Hatsumi, Massaki. (1988). Essence of Ninjutsu. McGraw-Hill. pg. 173
"World of Martial Arts !". google.com.
Hassell, Randall G. (April 1983). The Karate Spirit. Black Belt. Active Interest Media, Inc. pp. 94, 96. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
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