Genbukan
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Genbukan is a school of Japanese martial arts, and one of the three X-kan. The incumbent headmaster is Shoto Tanemura.
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[edit] Introduction
The Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation or GWNBF (originally Ninpo Bugei Dojo, Genbukan) was founded in 1984 by its present "Soke" (Grandmaster) Shoto Tanemura, a descendant of an old and respected samurai family with roots tracing back to the imperial family of Japan.
The name Genbukan (玄武館）means the place that nurtures the professional martial artist. The phrase Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation, its abbreviation GWNBF and Genbukan are interchangeable. However only Honbu Dojo may refer to itself as Ninpo Bugei Dojo, Genbukan (忍法武芸道場、玄武館).
The GWNBF is an international organization in scope with in excess of a hundred dojos and many thousands of students throughout the world. Soke Tanemura is also head of the Kokusai Ju-Jutsu Renmei or 'KJJR' (International Ju-Jutsu Federation), a sister organization dedicated to the factual portrayal, propagation and preservation of traditional Japanese jujutsu.
With the advent of the KJJR, the Genbukan's specific purpose is the factual portrayal, propagation and preservation of Genbukan Ninpo Bugei.
[edit] Structure
The Genbukan Ninpo Bugei is divided in 36 categories called the "Ninja Sanjurokkei" focusing on taijutsu, bojutsu, bikenjutsu and equally importantly Seishinteki Kyoyo or spiritual refinement. Other topics of study include but are not limited to yumi-ya, naginata, yari, jutte, kusari-gama, shuriken etc. Importance is also placed upon Reigi Saho or manners within the Genbukan.
Genbukan Ninpo taijutsu consists mainly of dakentaijutsu, jutaijutsu, koppojutsu, kosshijutsu, and taihenjutsu. Daken-Taijutsu specializes in striking techniques including blocks, punches and kicks etc. Jutai-Jutsu focuses mainly on throwing techniques, joint manipulation, locks and chokes. Kosshi and Koppo Jutsu are specialized techniques dealing with nerve or pressure point attacks and bone breaking among other things. Taihen-Jutsu deals with body movement and body placement enabling one to effectively null or avoid an attackers motions completely.
[edit] Rank
The ranking system for Genbukan Ninpo Taijutsu is from 10th kyu (also known as mu-kyu) through to 1st kyu and then from sho-dan (1st dan) through to 10th dan. The ranking system for weapons is dependent upon the weapon and varies between a traditional system of licenses and modern 10th kyu - 10th dan system.
Persons of rank 4th dan and above may open a shibu-dojo (branch dojo) although in special cases it is possible to open a dojo with a lower rank.
[edit] Schools associated with Genbukan
Genbukan Ninpo Bugei has evolved out of various schools including:
- Togakure-ryu
- Kumogakure-ryu
- Kukishin-ryu
- Gyokko-ryu
- Koto-ryu
- Gikan-ryu
- Shinden-Fudo-ryu
- Takagi-Yoshin-ryu
- Asayama-Ichiden-ryu
- Yoshin-Muso-ryu
- Tatara-Shinden-ryu
- Iga-ryu
- Tenshin-ryu
- Daito-ryu aikijujutsu
- Yagyu-Shingan-ryu
- Mugen Shinto ryu
- Kijin Chosui ryu
- Tenshin Hyoho Kukishin ryu
