My instructor has given me a task that pertains to a deep study of the Gyokko Ryu. I am interested in any specific comments any of you have from your own study of this ryu ha. How you were taught the different classifications of the techniques, henka, feeling while doing the techniques or whatever insights you care to share would be more than welcome.

On another note I just put in an offer for my first house, so everyone wish me luck:)

I have tons of videos, my own notes, others notes, etc... I'm more looking for personal revelations or ideas that others have had specifically pertaining to this ryu.

Even though I've practically zero experience compared to your guys... here we go:

Gyoko ryu - more playful, more complex and more opportunity for the attacker to get a shot in.

Koto ryu - If you're good enough, it's over real quick.

I think Duncan has it - check out whatever the most current information is from Soke regarding Gyokko Ryu (i.e. Daikomyosai and Tai Kai stuff from '01).

What I found is that during that yearly theme, we focused more on the spine, essence ("skeleton") and use of space (kukon) than the specific waza from the ryuha. Since Soke seems to change a technique every time he shows it, even though the name is the same, I would not consider any one technique to be the actual one from the densho for that tradition. Also, I've noticed that, like with last year's Takagi Yoshin Ryu jutaijutsu, the same ryuha can be explored as two different yearly themes - each one being completely different in lesson, emphasis and feeling.

So, good luck in pin-pointing a clearly defined explanation of the feeling, techniques, etc. I'd just go off YOUR impressions, with the added warning that it's all based on your interpretation and is subject to change at any moment!

And, good luck on your house

Gyokko Ryu holds much of the foundation needed in the Bujinakn curriculum. Most of our basics and Kihon Happo comes from the Gyokko Ryu as well as the San Shin/Go Gyo no kata.

The feeling, as described by Hatsumi Sensei, is that of a "Spinning Top". So much of the power is generated by circular movements.

Nimbleness is a big part of the Gyokko Ryu. So legs/footwork are very important.

To understand more of the feeling, the first scroll, which focuses on taking what is learned in the basics and using it in a fighting scenerio, will give you a better understanding of what Hatsumi Sensei was trying to convey when he was describing the feeling (spinning top).

I hope this is a good start.

Be well,
Mark A. Franco, L.Ac.
Los Angeles Bujinkan
Jihi No Kokoro Dojo

One thing i seen as unique to Gyokko Ryu, is that we leave our attacker as a point in space and orbit around him, twisting their upper body while leaving the feet where they are.

It is almost as if we are two (or more) planets coming into each others gravity, I allow his attraction to cause him to be pulled by my movement around him opening up suki.

I see the art as concentric circles.
This is just my current opinion and I may be way off, take it with a grain of salt

Wow man, far out

"It's part maui-wowy and part Labador" The man-Aka Tommy Chong

"Puff puff give, your F#$%ing up the rotation...I knew I shouldn't have given you no weed" Smokey-Friday


Good Times,
Mark A.Franco, L.Ac.

Gassho!
I can give you what I wrote in my notes in 2001 when this was the "theme of the year."
Gyokko Ryu and the meathods of koshijutsu, therefore a working knowledge of the bodies kyusho is vital.
Techniques of the school where brought to Japan from a slightly-built Chinese woman and it is certain she never attempted to match pure strength with said. Hense the moving around an opponent with "baby steps" in a circular fashion.
The school is based on some important core principles necessary for application and in context with the schools methodology. The school maintained attack and defense strategies as well as "alternative solution" methods such as metsubishi and muto dori kata.
Training should include extensive hand and foot conditioning especially the point attacking weapons such as boshiken, shakoken,and the like.
A Gyokko Ryu man can knock an opponnent down with one finger.
Takamatsu Sensei could break a small stone with his thumb

HTH
Namaste

Quote:

I don't know if I quite agree with the "baby-steps" thing. Even though your small, doesn't meen that your taking baby steps. The foot work of a small person is the same as footwork of a bigger person, it's just that your distance may vary slightly.

I do think that size matters in generating effective stikes (koshijutsu). Or rather, if a small person strikes a big person, s/he many not affect the opponent, they may just piss them off. So one thing to keep in mind when training in Gyokko Ryu is effective use of kyusho. One thing one of my instructors told me was that "in Gyokko Ryu every strike should be able to stop the fight".

Also, having nimbleness (like small people tend to be). Be able to move in and out of space effectivly and efficiently. Be able to change the rythem of the fight and make him/her do what you want him/her to do based on how you move and how you affect the opponents balance.

These are some of the principles I teach in our dojo.