A Chinese Monk named Cho Gyokko brought Gyokko Ryu techniques to Japan from China during the Tang Dynasty. Sakagami Taro Kunishige organized this ryu and he served as head from 1532 to 1555. This was or appears to be twelve generations (approximately 300 years) before Sakagami.

In time the ryu was passed down to Momochi Sandayu and thus into the lga Ryu Ninja and its collective knowledge. The Momochi family then passed the ryu to the Toda family and to Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Once, when Takamatsu Sensei was training with Shinryuken Toda, he was told that the most important thing for him to learn was the eight-fundamental techniques. These Techniques are called the Kihon Happo and they are the foundation of Gyokko Ryu and it's koshijutsu arts. Takamatsu then taught these kata to Masaaki Hatsumi, who uses these as the foundation for our Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

The Ryu focuses on the use of pin point strikes to nerve and muscle pressure points of an attacker; Unbalancing usually in a circular motion, designed for a small person against bigger one; Concentrating on weaker areas of the body... primarily eyes, ears, groin, and feet. In this way the Ryu is divided into three sections: Joryaku no Maki (unarmed against unarmed attacks) Churyaku no Maki (unarmed vs. knife) Geraku no Maki (unarmed vs. sword or spear). The school also uses leashed dogs for attacking and defending.

About the Instructor:

Mr. Kevin Millis began his training with Stephen K. Hayes, the acknowledged Western authority on Niniutsu. Mr. Hayes introduced Mr. Millis to Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi who subsequently invited him to journey to Japan for training. Mr. Millis received Shodan ranking directly from Dr. Hatsumi, 34th Grandmaster of Togakure Ryu Ninja, and was commissioned by Dr. Hatsumi to establish a Bujinkan Dojo in Southern California. Mr. Millis has taught the art for more than a decade. He continues to study with Grandmaster Hatsumi to date and frequently travels to Japan for continued training. In 1996, Mr. Millis was awarded the 10th Dan Menkyo - a rank still held by very few non-Japanese.

Mr. Millis is an expert technical rock climber and has accumulated experience in wilderness survival, mountaineering and firearms proficiency. He has a Master Scuba Diver rating and Divemaster credentials. In 1993 he was presented with the Presidential Sports Award of Excellence for his many contributions to physical fitness.

Publication date: 2003

Ninja Combat Method: A Training Overview Manual Book by Stephen Hayes (Preowned)

Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu Level Two DVD by Kevin Millis (Preowned)