| What is Kobudo? |
Kobudo means "old martial ways,"
and refers to any number of schools
of classical Japanese martial arts
pre-dating 1868. These arts were
developed and intended for use on
the battlefield or in personal combat.
They are not sport martial arts.
and refers to any number of schools
of classical Japanese martial arts
pre-dating 1868. These arts were
developed and intended for use on
the battlefield or in personal combat.
They are not sport martial arts.
Each kobudo tradition is organized
into what are called ryu or ryu-ha.
Some kobudo ryu focus on a single
skill, such as unarmed combat,
sword or staff techniques. Other ryu
encompass a number of the classical
warrior disciplines. Each kobudo
lineage is a complete martial art, and
one may spend an entire lifetime
practicing a single school's methods
and strategies.
into what are called ryu or ryu-ha.
Some kobudo ryu focus on a single
skill, such as unarmed combat,
sword or staff techniques. Other ryu
encompass a number of the classical
warrior disciplines. Each kobudo
lineage is a complete martial art, and
one may spend an entire lifetime
practicing a single school's methods
and strategies.
It is important to note that a ryu is not merely a collection of techniques. Each ryu contains within it a complete
guideline for living both on and off the battlefield, along with social and philosophical views espoused by the
founders, which must me adopted and understood by students in order to fully grasp and internalize the teachings
of that particular ryu.
guideline for living both on and off the battlefield, along with social and philosophical views espoused by the
founders, which must me adopted and understood by students in order to fully grasp and internalize the teachings
of that particular ryu.
Gyokko Ryu kosshijutsu - established in the 16th Century by Toda Sakyo Isshinsai.
Koto Ryu koppojutsu - established in the 16th Century by Toda Sakyo Isshinsai.
Kukishin Ryu happo hiken - established in the 12th Century by Izumo no Kanja Yoshitera.
Takagi Yoshin Ryu jutaijutsu - established in the 16th Century by the Buddhist monk Unryu.
Shinden Fudo Ryu taijutsu - established in 12th Century by Izumo no Kanja Yoshitera.
Togakure Ryu happo hiken - established in the 12th Century by Nishina Daisuke.
Koto Ryu koppojutsu - established in the 16th Century by Toda Sakyo Isshinsai.
Kukishin Ryu happo hiken - established in the 12th Century by Izumo no Kanja Yoshitera.
Takagi Yoshin Ryu jutaijutsu - established in the 16th Century by the Buddhist monk Unryu.
Shinden Fudo Ryu taijutsu - established in 12th Century by Izumo no Kanja Yoshitera.
Togakure Ryu happo hiken - established in the 12th Century by Nishina Daisuke.
While other groups may be concerned with "modern applications," inventing their own bizarre notions of training
based on absolutely no real-life experience, borrowing from the work of other prominent martial artists to bolster
their name or reputation, or preserving incorrect teachings handed down over the past 25 years or more, the
instructors and students at Kobudo Atlanta are committed to preserving these lineages intact, and maintaining the
methods and traditions of the men who used these methods in real life-or-death combat. Anyone teaching from any
other perspective is simply playing "warrior" and is doing serious harm to their students and to the lineages they
claim to teach.
This point of view is sure to ruffle some feathers, but it is the position we hold, and the point of view from which we
teach. For those who have questions about our line of instruction, or the source materials we reference, we will be
happy to discuss this information as needed. We will not however, go into an in-depth discussion on the actual
content of these teachings, as these are reserved for students and are given at an appropriate time in a student's
education. Under no circumstances are these instructions ever shared with outsiders.
If you are interested in training in authentic Japanese warrior arts, please consider submitting an application for
training.
based on absolutely no real-life experience, borrowing from the work of other prominent martial artists to bolster
their name or reputation, or preserving incorrect teachings handed down over the past 25 years or more, the
instructors and students at Kobudo Atlanta are committed to preserving these lineages intact, and maintaining the
methods and traditions of the men who used these methods in real life-or-death combat. Anyone teaching from any
other perspective is simply playing "warrior" and is doing serious harm to their students and to the lineages they
claim to teach.
This point of view is sure to ruffle some feathers, but it is the position we hold, and the point of view from which we
teach. For those who have questions about our line of instruction, or the source materials we reference, we will be
happy to discuss this information as needed. We will not however, go into an in-depth discussion on the actual
content of these teachings, as these are reserved for students and are given at an appropriate time in a student's
education. Under no circumstances are these instructions ever shared with outsiders.
If you are interested in training in authentic Japanese warrior arts, please consider submitting an application for
training.
Instruction at Kobudo Atlanta draws upon the lineage teachings of six schools of classical Japanese martial arts.
These schools are:
These schools are:
Regarding the martial teachings of a ryu,
the student must capture the exquisite flavor
of the tradition, and discover the internal
consistency that connects all of a ryu's
techniques with their strategic and
philosophical points of view. It is not enough
to merely imitate the techniques of a
particular ryu, any more than it is
appropriate for a lay person to imitate the
skills of a competent surgeon. In both cases
the results are going to be disastrous.
Those unwilling or unable to learn these
intricacies are doomed to frustration.
Classical Japanese martial arts cannot exist
outside of the cultural context in which they
formed. Far too many American teachers
and practitioners miss this point.
the student must capture the exquisite flavor
of the tradition, and discover the internal
consistency that connects all of a ryu's
techniques with their strategic and
philosophical points of view. It is not enough
to merely imitate the techniques of a
particular ryu, any more than it is
appropriate for a lay person to imitate the
skills of a competent surgeon. In both cases
the results are going to be disastrous.
Those unwilling or unable to learn these
intricacies are doomed to frustration.
Classical Japanese martial arts cannot exist
outside of the cultural context in which they
formed. Far too many American teachers
and practitioners miss this point.
Students enrolled at Kobudo Atlanta
have the opportunity to learn the
methods of each of these schools,
allowing each student to experience
the rich and varied flavors of the
classical martial arts of Japan
through empty-hand and traditional
weapon training.
Though there are other training
groups in the area that operate
under the pretense of teaching the
same or similar material, Kobudo
Atlanta is the only school in the
Metro Atlanta area that is teaching
these lineages true to the densho, or
lineage texts, which have been
handed down to us in an unbroken
line.
have the opportunity to learn the
methods of each of these schools,
allowing each student to experience
the rich and varied flavors of the
classical martial arts of Japan
through empty-hand and traditional
weapon training.
Though there are other training
groups in the area that operate
under the pretense of teaching the
same or similar material, Kobudo
Atlanta is the only school in the
Metro Atlanta area that is teaching
these lineages true to the densho, or
lineage texts, which have been
handed down to us in an unbroken
line.