Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu

Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu (義鑑流骨法術) ("School of Truth, Loyalty, and Justice") is a medieval Japanese school of martial arts established in the 16th century by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo (瓜生判官義鑑坊). [ [http://www.bujinkangreece.com/ryuha/gikan.html Bujinkan Greece] ]
Koppōjutsu means "attacks against bones." It is commonly considered a hard art in comparison to softer arts such as kosshijutsu (骨指術).

Gikan Ryu is said to contain many special skills unique to the ryu. These techniques have not been written down, but are passed on orally from sensei to student. [ [http://www.budotaijutsu.co.uk/budo_taijutsu/gikan_ryu.html Budotaijutsu] ] [ [http://www.bujinkangreece.com/ryuha/gikan.html Bujinkan Greece] ]

ōke dispute

It is disputed who the current sōke of Gikan Ryu. At this time, two people claim to be soke of Gikan Ryu. One is Masaaki Hatsumi, and the other is Shoto Tanemura with most Gikan Ryu schools favoring Dr. Hatsumi. [ [http://www.budotaijutsu.co.uk/budo_taijutsu/gikan_ryu.html Budotaijutsu] ] [ [http://www.bujinkangreece.com/ryuha/gikan.html Bujinkan Greece] ]

Tanemura claims he received sokeship to the ryu through Sato Kinbei. According to Tanemura, Kinbei received sokeship to the Ryu directly from Toshitsugu Takamatsu, who was the previous soke. Takamatsu gave sokeship to Fumio Akimoto. Akimoto died soon thereafter and according to Tanemura, the sokeship was secretly given to Sato. Tanemura's lineage shows no record of this link to the late Akimoto. Yet, there exists records of Tanemura teaching classes in Gikan Ryu while still a student of Hatsumi, as well as claims by Tanemura of Akimoto having another lineage of Gikan Ryu received through Shoken Ryu. Thus exists the dispute.

Supporters of Tanemura state that this lineage was proven in a Japanese court; however, the case was over a claim of questionable ownership of family martial art heirlooms against a close family relation. Tanemura provided his scrolls in Gikan Ryu as proof of his being a martial art student of Sato and that his claim was legitimate. Internet rumour falsely stated that the case was about the legitimacy in lineage.

Hatsumi claims sokeship to the ryu, including the late Akimoto, who he also directly trained with. Takamatsu gave sokeship to Akimoto, who died shortly thereafter. Takamatsu then gave sokeship of the ryu to Hatsumi.

There is no question that Hatsumi was a direct student of Takamatsu and also trained with Akimoto.

Confusion arises as to why Akimoto Fumio is listed in the Bujinkan version of the Gikan Ryu lineage yet not in the Genbukan version. Both versions are completely different from the early listings, yet questions arise only from the ending listings.

Opponent's of Hatsumi state that he lacks a physical Gikan Ryu sokeship scroll, yet it is stated by witnesses that scrolls and Densho do exist.

Neither story has been verified.

Genbukan Claimed Lineage

*Uryu Hangan Gikanbo
*Uryu Hangan Yoshichika
*Uryu Kanzui
*Uryu Nobuyoshi
*Uryu Tenkaibo
*Uryu Hidechika
*Uryu Sokaibo
*Uryu Shinkaibo
*Uryu Gikaibo
*Uryu Gikanbo
*Ishitani Matsutaro
*Takamatsu Toshitsugu
*Sato Kinbei
*Shoto Tanemura

Bujinkan Claimed Lineage

*Sonyuhangan Gikanbo (Daimyo of Kawachi Castle)

He was also known as:
* Uryu Hangan Gikanbo - Eiroku era, 1558-1570
* Uryu Yoshimitsu - Tenshō era, 1573-1592
* Uryu Yoshimori - Kan'ei era, 1624-1644
* Uryu Yoshichika - Kambun era, 1661-1673
* Uryu Yoshitaka - Genroku era, 1688-1704
* Uryu Yoshihide - Horeki era, 1751-1764
* Uryu Yoshimori - Kansei era, 1789-1801
* Uryu Yoshiaki - Tenpo era, 1830-1844
* Uryu Gikan - Keiō era, 1865-1868
* Ishitani Takeoi Masatsugu - approx d. 1905
* Ishitani Matsutaro Takekage - approx d. 1911
* Toshitsugu Takamatsu - b.1887-d.1972
* Akimoto Fumio - approx d. 1962
* Masaaki Hatsumi

Notes