HAND STRIKES

Saigo Ha  Aiki-Jujutsu includes many different hand strikes to help create what is known as an "AIKI-SITUATION" . They include various hand configeration for specific targets ( this is also known as "atemi-wasa" ) but, regardless of the type of striking point used, there are only five (5) different angles of attack with the limbs used ( be it hands or feet ) and that is what the Takeda-Ryu practitioners learns to defend against !

 

      (5) "angles of attack " with the limbs ( arms or legs) are :

• (1) inward

• (2) downward

• (3) upward

• (4) backward

• (5) straight-in

• n .

And all SAIGO-HA Takeda-Ryu practitioners learn to defend against these five basic "ANGLES" rather than against specific striking techniques with the hands .

• Although Saigo-Ha Takeda - Ryu Aiki Jujutsu does have many pressure - point atemi wasa, they are used in special situations to set-up a specific technique rather than a way to end the confrontation or to finish the technique.. ( The idea is to utilise pressure point strikes to create the "aiki" situation required to effect the techniques and then to disable the attacker .)

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Pressure point strikes are only taught in the higher levels of  training . ( based on the nerves, tendons, ligaments, blood vessals, and internal organs.)

 

 

 

KICKS

SAIGO HA TAKEDA-RYU is a complete martial art !

• As such, it contains all types of foot strikes or kicks. ( many outside DAITO-RYU CIRCLES don't realise that the SAIGO-HA  branch has a wide - range of kicks which originated in Norther China ) These kicks are not relegated to strikes below the waist, but include fantastic high kicks, spinning kicks, jumping kicks and great kicking combination that rival any other martial art system

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The BASIC KICKS  of SAIGO-HA AIKI-JUJUTSU are :

• (1) Mae Geri ( front kick )

• (2) yoko geri ( side kick)

• (3) mawashi geri ( round kick)

• (4) mae mikazuki geri ( front cresent kick )

• (5) ura mikazuki geri (rear or reverse cresent kick)

• (6) gake geri ( hook kick)

• (7) gedan geri ( the famous axe or downward kick )

• (8) ushiro geri (back or rear kick)

• (9) harai yoko geri ( spinning hook kick )

• (10) harai ura mikazuki geri ( spinning reverse cresent kick)

• (11) harai gake geri ( spinning hook kick) (

• 12) ken ken yoko geri (jumping or skipping side kick)

• (13) ken ken ura mikazuki geri (jumping or skipping back cresent kick)

• (14) ken ken gake geri ( jumping or skipping hook kick )

• * With several variations of each kick .

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Asides from these basic kicks, SAIGO-HA TAKEDA-RYU AIKI-JUJUTSU includes many jumping spinning kicks, combination kicks ( with either the same foot or alternate feet) and multiple kicks. to prepare the practioners to recognise kicking attacks in order to properly defend against them.

 

• It is ironic that many people confuse DAITO-RYU with being merely a specialization on joint locking throws or holds, not realising that at least one branch of Daito-Ryu has very advanced techniques asides from mere joint-lock throws or controls.

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• ( it's little-known , but highly advanced, kicking repatoir is one such example of the steriotyping and misconception that surrounds this diversified martial art system due to ignorance and unqualified Daito-Ryu teachers .)

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* Note : Unless you can train with a partner who has excellent kicking abilities it is next to impossible to ever defend against an attacker who possesses high quality kicks.

 

• Advance Kickings techniques are a recent addition to Daito-Ryu ! ( because in fuedal times, the samurai had very liitle expertise in kicking due to the wearing of armor) Most kicks were added by Sigung Pok Shen in the early 50's ( to his branch) due to the experiences of his teacher Sigung Lin Po , who used Daito-Ryu techniques in numerous fights against his fellow chinese martial artists ( in the 1930's & 40's) in the communist revolution .

 

 

 

 

JOINT-LOCKS

 

Since DAITO-RYU is known for it's painful JOINT LOCKS ! One should understand that the principal behind joint locks is to engage the monosyptic reflex reaction to create pain. One must remember that it has little to do with meridians or secret pressure points .( always remember that there is no magic or mystery involve in the Daito-Ryu techniques, just the basic 100 principals which are the laws of nature. )

 

WRIST CONTROLS

 

• In Saigo-Ha , we refer to wristlocks as KAJOs ( ka means section or lesson and jo mans rooms in mansion , ) or wrist controls (* other Daito-Ryu branches use other names for these same wristlocks * The proper Japanese words for wrist are "te kubi" or " Ude- Kubi ", not  "kote" , which actually means "small hand " ) and they are listed in our system as :

• (1) I Kajo ( first wrist control) or outward turn wristlock ( where you twist the person's wrist to the side and away from your body with his fingers pointing upward )

• (2) Ni Kajo ( second wrist control ) or downward wristlock ( where you push forward with the person's wrist twist so the little finger is on the top )

• (3) San Kajo ( third wrist control) or upward twist from undeneath ( here the wrist is twisted so it locks the shoulder)

• (4) Yon Kajo ( fourth wrist control ) or gooseneck wristlock ( where you lock the person's elbow to your body, under your arm pit, and bend his wrist downward palm facing downward to forn an "S" with his arm )

• (5) Go Kajo (fifth wrist control ) or reverse gooseneck ( where you perform a yon kajo, then reverse the hand position to have the palm facing upward

• )

FINGER JOINT LOCKS

• * Note : There are also many fingerlocks in Daito-Ryu ( the very same types taught in Professor Wally Jay's Small Circle Jujitsu) but we have not yet given them Japanese names and we refer to them simple by number ! They are refered to as YUBI-NAGE #1 , #2, #3, ect....

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ELBOW JOINT LOCKS

• There are three basic ELBOW JOINT LOCKS :

• (1) Ude Garami ( or coil arm lock )

• (2) UDE  KATAMI / GATAME ( or straight arm lock/bar.)

• (3)Ura Ude Garami ( reverse arm coil lock)

• * ( with many variations using different parts of your body as the fulcrum ). In one case you bend the elbow joint either upwards or downward forming an "S" , while in the other, you block the elbow at the joint and use the limb from the elbow to the finger-tips to apply pressure to the joint. (either elbow lock is very painful and will result is dislocation if the pressure applied is great-enough.)

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KNEE LOCKS:

• There are two types of KNEE LOCKS in Saigo-Ha Daito-Ryu :

• They are called :

• (1) Yoko Hiza Gatami (or side knee twist lock ) and

• (2) Ura Hiza Gatame ( or rear knee lock ! ),

• both are used to dislocate or seriously injure the knee joint by tearing the support ligaments which surround the knee joint itself, from dozens of different applications.

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ANKLE LOCKS

• There is one main ankle lock used in Saigo-Ha Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu :

• Kihon Ashi-Ku-Bi ( in which the toes are placed under your armpit, and you apply pressure to the achiles tendon wih your forarm .)

• Of course ! There are dozens of ways to apply this wasa

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TOE LOCKS

• Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu has three basic toe locks known as Ashi No Yubi kansetsu wasa;

• (1) Mai ashi-no-yubi garami

• (2) Yoko ashi-no-yubi garami

• (3) Ushiro ( ura) ashi-no-yubi garami

• (there are about 30 basic ways to apply these

• )

NECK LOCKS

• Saigo-Ha Daito-Ryu Aiki jujutsu has three basic NECK LOCKS

• (1) ushiro kube garami ( rear neck twist)

• (2) yoko kube garami ( side neck twist)

• (3) ura kube garame ( reverse neck twist ) ,

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• each are extremely dangerous and can result if death is applied to forcefully.

• Like all locks, there are many methods taught to apply them according to the situation.

* Neck locks are not to be confused with chokes or carotid controls (or "sleeper holds" ) since NECK LOCKS are killing techniques while chokes, and sleeper holds are submission or controlling techniques.

• * Each of these three basic necklocks can be applied in about 20 different ways . ( each having specific names and uses )

 

 

 

 

 

CHOKES & COROTID CONTROLS

Saigo-HaDaito-Ryu AikiJujutsu has several chokes and corotid Controls:

• Chokes are techniques where the air supply  (or ability to supply oxygen to the brain ) is shut off by applying pressure to the windpipe .

• Carotid Controls are techniques where the blood supply bringing oxegen to the brain is cut off by applying pressure to the carotid arteries in the neck.

• ( both these techniques cause unconsciousness to occur in between 7 and 17 seconds)

CHOKES :

Saigo-Ha Daito-Ryu aikijujutsu has 14 different basic chokes :

• (1) ushiro hadaka jime (rear naked choke)

• (2) yoko hadaka jime ( side naked choke)

• (3) ura hadaka jime ( reverse naked choke)

• (4) ashi garami jime ( leg entwinement choke)

• (5) ni-iri jime ( double lepel choke)

• (6) yayakoshii jime (puzzle choke)

• (7) yokemasu jime ( staight-arm choke)

• (8) oasemasu jime ( restraining choke)

• (9) obi jime ( belt choke)

• (10) kowaii jime ( frightful choke)

• (11) onii jime (devil choke)

• (12) harai jime ( spinning choke)

• (13) inabiikarai jime (lightning choke )

• (14) ma yoonaka jime ( midnight choke)

* These are the basic 14 chokes of Saigo-Ha Daito-Ryu / Takeda-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, each is designed to cut of the breathing process. ( There are several ways to apply these chokes )

• * CHOKES can be fatal if applied too forcefuly or held-on too long, but the most common injury occuring when chokes are applied is damage to the esophogus or adams apple nerve groups. As such CHOKES must be considered a killing technique to be practiced with extreme care and attention. ( These chokes can be applied in several variations both standing or on the ground  ) 

 

CAROTID CONTROLS :

Saigo-Ha Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu has 19 different basic carotid controls :

• ( 1) Kata juji-Jime ( switch cross choke )

• (2) Gyaku juji-Jime (reverse hands cross choke)

• (3) Nami juji Jime ( normal crosschock)

• (4) Hadaka jime ( bare strangle )

• (5) ushiro hadaka jime ( reverse bare choke )

• (6) Tate Hadaka jime ( verticle bare choke )

• (7) Kataha jime ( single wing choke )

• (8) ushiro kataha jime ( reverse single wing choke)

• (9) Chikarai yoko kataha jime ( rolling single wing choke )

• (10) Okuri eri jime ( sliding lepel choke )

• (11)Kani Okuri Eri Jime ( crab sliding choke )

• (12) Koshi Jime ( hip strangle )

• (13) Ushiro Okuri eri jime ( reverse sliding lepel strngle )

• (14) Jogoku Jime ( Hell strangle )

• (15) Sakaku jime ( triangle choke )

• (16) ura Sankaku jime (reverse triangle choke )

• (17) Yoko Sankaku jime ( side triangle choke )

• (18) wani jime ( crocodile choke )

• (19) empi okuri jime ( elbow sliding choke )

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The word choke can be used to mean cutting off one's air-supply or blood supply, and is used to mean either choke or strangle .

• Carotid Controls are methods of compressing the carotid arteries in the neck, resulting in lack of oxegen to the brain. (Although they are not usually life threatening in healthy people, they have been known to cause serious brain damage and some deaths in people with high plaque/chlorestorol build-up in their arteries !)

• Carotid Controls usually cause unconsciousness in between 6 and 17 seconds, and the opponant will be unconscious from anywhere between 2 minutes to 1 1/2 hours , or in rare cases, will not recover on his own.

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   Since in rare cases they do not come-to ( become conscious ) on their own, with brain damage a serious possibility The appropriate Kappo or Kwatsu resusitation technique must be applied immediatly after they pass-out ( they  lose consciousness ) .

 

 

 

KATAS

Preset forms

Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu/Takeda-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu has several forms (katas) for refreshing or remembering specific techniques. ( These are always done in a very formal manner begining and ending with a ceremonial bow )

List of Basic Katas :

• Tachi Zuki No Kata

• Sewari Zuki No Kata

• Satumi Zuki No Kata

• Tachi Keri No Kata

• Sewari Keri No Kata

• Satumi Keri No Kata

• Bokyo No Kata

• Sewari Bokyo No Kata

• gake tachi nage kata

• chuden tachi nage kata

• age tachi nage kata

• ushiro tachi nage kata

• oi tachi nage kata

• gake setumi nage kata

• chudan setumi nage kata

• age setumi nage kata

• ushiro setumi nage kata

• oi setumi nage kata

• mai geri tachi kata

• yoko geri tachi nage kata

• mawashi geri tachi nage kata

• mae mikazuki geri tachi nage kata

• ura mikazuki geri tachi nage kata

• gake geri tachi nage kata

• sawari geri kata (s) all 6

• kenjutsu katas

• bo katas (4)

• jo katas (2)

• tanto katas.(3)

•  yari kata (4) 

Note * These two-man katas are performed in three positions :

• (a) both parties standing ( Known formally as Tachiai)

• (b) One person (attacker) standing and one person (defender) kneeling ( known formally as HanzaHanDachi )

• (c) both parties kneeling.( Known formally as Sawari or Shinkki )

• the standing always taught first because it is easier to learn, whereas in the old schools, the kneeling techniques were usually taught first since many believe Daito-ryu was mainly a palace art .

• There are several other secret katas known as the ryugi embu which are only taught to very high ranking teachers .

 

 

 

 

 

THROWS

Saigo-Ha Daito-Ryu has many hundreds of unique and different throws not found in any other martial art systems. 

 

List of some of these advanced throws.

TACHE TE GOJU DAI NAGE WASA

(50 great standing throws set )

• These are advanced throws which require excellent ukimi. ( many require use of gymnastics crash mats )

• (some are designed to break the colar bone, dislocate the shoulder joint or break the neck * extreme care must be taken in practice )

Gake Tatakima Zuki (to hit or strike with hook punch )

• Uki Otochi(Floating throw or swing throw)

• Ura Kuki nage (rear neck throw or reverse air throw)

• Ushiro-Otoche (rear Drop)

• Hiza Tsuri (Knee Lift or body lift throw)

• Tsurite (Lifting hand or Sasae Tsuri Goshi )

• Juji-Te (crossing hands or arm entanglement throw)

• Jujii Garami (Cross Entanglement)

• Ura Garami Obi Nage (arm coil belt throw)

• Uchi-Empi Tai-otoche (Inside Elbow BodyDrop)

• Irimi Kube Nage (entering neck throw or neck wheel )

Gedan Tatakima-su Zuki (downward strike)

• Ura Irimi Otoche ( rear entering drop)

• Ura Iri Otoche (rear collar drop)

• Mune Nage (Chest throw)

• Empi Shi N Kei (elbow nerve throw)

• UDE SHI N KEI (forarm nerve throw)

• Kansetsu Sae Otoche (armlock shoulder drop)

• Yoko Tsuri (Side lift or lifting side throw )

• Utsturi Harai Goshi (Sweeping switch hip or floating leg rotation throw )

• Sankajo Nage (inward jointlock throw)

• Ude Garami Yoko Nage (arm coil side throw)

AGE TATAKIMA SU ZUKI ( rising strike)

• UCHI SOTO MAGARINA (inside-out throw or reversing twist throw )

• KURUSHI NAGE (Agony throw or shoulder twisting throw )

• NI URA NAGE (Double back throw or back spin throw)

• USHIRO NODO OTOCHE (rear throat drop)

• JUJI SUMI OTOCHE (cross corner drop)

• URA NI OBI DORI NAGE (rear double belt grab throw)

• UKE GARAMI KUBE OTOCHE (forarm coil neck drop)

• USHIRO TOMOE GOSHIOTOCHE (rear stomach hip drop)

• NOSHITA UDE HARAI NAGE (under-arm spinning throw)

• AKUMA KUKI NAGE (Evil Air throw)

URAKEN TATAKIMA SU ZUKI (backward strike)

• GAKE UDE HARAI URA NAGE ( arm hook sweep )

• MAE EMPI SHI N KEI ( front elbow nerve throw)

• URA SHOMEN OTOCHE (rear stomach drop)

• GAKE UKE SUMI NAGE ( hook arm corner throw)

• URA HIZA TSURI OTOCHE (rear knee lift drop)

• URA SEO HARAI NAGE (rear shoulder spin throw)

• URA TATE HARAI NAGE ( rear vertical spin throw)

• SUMI SANKAJU NAGE (Corner triangular throw)

• URA HIZA ZUKI OTOCHE (rear knee strike drop)

• UDE KATAME KOTE GAESHI (arm lock wrist control throw)

OI TATAKIMA SU ZUKE (straight line strike)

• UDE GATAME SEO NAGE (arm lock shoulder throw)

• UDE GATAME SUMI NAGE (arm bar corner throw)

• URA SUMI SANKAKU NAGE (arm lock rear corner throw)

• UDE GATAME KIN MAE NAGE (armbar groin forward throw)

• UDE GATAME KIN URA NAGE (armbar groin rear throw)

• UDE GATAME KIN MAE TSURI NAGE (armbar groin forward lift throw)

• UDE GATAME KIN YOKO TSURI OTOCHE (armbar groin side lift drop)

• UDE GATAME KIN MAGARINA (armbar groin inside out throw)

• UDE GATAME URA EMPI SHI N TEI (arm bar rear elbow pressure throw)UDE GATAME GYAKU CHIGAI HARAI YAMA ARASHI (II) (armbar reverse underarm sweeping mountain storm throw)

• (with their many variations, you have about 1200 throws in this group alone )

• These throws are practiced in Taichiai, HanzaHandachi and Sawari positions .

 

 

 

 

 

SUTEMI  TE GOJU DAI NAGE WASA

( 50 great sacrifice throws)

• These are almost all neck breaking throws and very dangerous ***

GAKE ZUKI

• Kube Otoche ( neck drop )

• Ushiro Kube Otoche ( reverse neck drop)

• Ude Garami Waki no Shita Nage ( Arm coil under armpit throw)

• Yorima Tai Otoche ( entwining body drop ) * over & under arm

• Koshi Dori Ura Otoche ( trunk grab rear drop ) *around waist

• Kube Makikomi Otoche ( neck winding drop )

• Koshi Dori Ura Hiza Otoche ( truck grab rear knee drop)

• Yorima Kube Nage ( twisting neck throw )

• Ude Garami Yoko Otoche ( arm coil side drop ) on one knee/over knee

• Mae Obi Makikomi Otoche ( forward belt drop ) like reg. makikomi

GEDAN ZUKI

• Mune Dori Ura Otoche ( bearhug rear drop )

• Mawashi Otoche ( Circle Drop )

• Ashi Ude Garami Ura Nage ( Leg Arm coil lock rear throw )

• Hadari Dori Irimi Sumi Nage ( left wrist grab arm coil entering drop )

• Ude-Mune dori Ura Nage ( arm chest lock rear throw )

• Ni Kate Dori Shiho HIza Nage ( double wrist grab four corner knee drop throw )

• Ura Ude Garami Kube Nage ( rear arm coil lock neck twist rear drop )

• Kube Ude Garami Ushiro Otoche ( arm & neck lock rear drop )

• Taishoku Nage ( retirement throw ) * arm lock shoulder carry

• Tani Otoche ( valley drop )

AGE ZUKI

• Ura Ni ude dori mawashi otoche ( reverse double arm grab circle throw)

• Ude gake harai sutemi (Arm hook spin drop)

• Ura ude garami yoko otoche ( reverse arm coin side drop)

• Ushiro Chigae ago ura otoche (under arm rear chin drop)

• Ura ude garami ni hisa otoche ( reverse arm coil double knee drop)

• Ko kogata ( small package)

• ko koshi otoche ( small hip drop)

• Mae wakare ( from separation)

• Ouchi setumi otoche ( large rear inside leg hook )

• Ushiro Shiho nage ( rear four corner throw)

URAKEN ZUKI

• Taifu nage ( typhoon throw)

• Ura ude urshiro otoche ( rear head & arm back drop )

• Arai kaze ( rough wind )

• O tobu dai mawashi ( large jump circle throw )

• Shuuten nage (last stop throw)

• Ura Koshi dori ushiro otoche ( gut wrench )

• Ushiro Taifu-Nage ( rear typhoon throw)

• Mae Age otoche ( front face drop )

• Ude gatame o harai otoche ( straight arm bar large spin throw)

• Soogi-ya nage ( undertaker throw)

OI-ZUKI

• Ni te kube dori ippon seonage ( double wrist grab shoulder throw)

• Ni te kube dori sumi otoche ( double wrist grab corner drop)

• Juji te kube seonage ( cross wrist should throw)

• Uchi nejiiru te kube ushiro ashi harai ( inside wrist turn rear leg sweep)

• Ushiro ude garami ko uchi gake ( rear arm coil small outside leg hook )

• Koma mawahi nage ( spinning top throw)

• Ushiro hassami Nage ( rear scissor throw)

• Mae Hassami Nage ( front scissor throw)

• Mai kara hone Shiinkai nage (front collar bone nerve throw)

• Ushiro kara hone shiinkai nage ( rear collar bone nerve throw)

 

 

OTHER THROWS & TECHNIQUES :
 

• Kuju Tachi Keri Nage ( 90 standing throws against kicks )

• Kuju Satumi Keri Nage ( 90 sacrifice throws against kicks )

• Newasa  ( 30 basic pins & imobilizations on the ground )

• Hyaku Tachi Nage Gaishi ( 100 counters against standing throws)

• Hyaku Sawari Kaishi zuki nage ( 100 counters against kneewalk throws)

• Goju Te-Kubi Kaeshi Wasa ( 50 counters against wrist grabs )

• Kuju Tachi Gaishi Keri No wasa ( 90 standing counters against kicking throws)

• Kuju Setumi Gaishi Keri No wasa ( 90 counters against sacrifice kicking throws)

• Sawari ( shinkki) wasa ( 200 basic kneewalk techniques)

• Koroshimasu ( 83 secret termination or killing techniques)

• Atemi Wasa ( 45 secret pressure point techniques )

• Hyaku Bokyo Wasa ( 100 escapes against holds )

• Kobujutsu ( old weapons forms )

• Hyaku Takeda-Ryu Horitsu ( 100 Principals - modern scientific )

• Newasa Gaishi ( counters / escapes for all ground fighting techniques)

• Nippon Kappo / Kwasu ( Japanese restoration/first aid techniques)

• Tanto Kire Wasa ( study of arteries & veins for use of knife)

• Mugei Ryu Iaido katas ( 15 ) Traditional katas of Kenjutsu.

• Mokoroku Shoden ( 118 techniques from Sokaku Takeda Daito-Ryu - 5 kajos )

• There are hundreds of modfied techniques without names that are not listed here .

note * every single technique found in mainline daito-ryu is found in some version within these groups of techniques . Shiro Saigo had training in a temple setting on all aspects of Daito-Ryu under Tanomo Saigo and these techniques are listed here and were passed on down to his students, including Yamashita Houei and Toshio Takeda . ( although Dr. Williams was not taught the Onna Ha Itto Ryu Ken Jutsu, it does not take-away from the fact that he mastered the rest of Shiro Saigo's system, and went-on to master another koryu sword system known as Mugei-Ryu and the basics of other Japanes kobudo . )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In total you have well in excess of 3400 actual techniques in the Saigo-Ha Takeda-Ryu Aiki jujutsu system .( far more than any other daito-ryu system practiced today )

• In 1200 + years of development of Saigo-Ha Takeda-Ryu (Daito-Ryu ) Aiki Juutsu , at least 10,000 other techniques may have been lost forever

Note * You can see why SAIGO-HA TAKEDA-RYU is so protective of it's techniques when you consider that you can take 1/20th of these techniques and create a new hybred martial art system that will fool the un-informed public into thinking it is a traditional martial art system.

We list the names of the techniques to show the general public the great variety of fighting skills which exists in traditional Saigo-Ha Takeda-Ryu (Daito-Ryu) although we know that it is possible that some people might use these names to lay claim to be qualified to teach this great art or make-up some ficticious art and use this as a syllabus, however, the benefit of listing the techniques far outweighs such a possibility.

Since all legitimate teachers Saigo-Ha Takeda-Ryu & Daito-Ryu actively interact with each other, it is very easy to check-out the credentials of anyone, anywhere in the world, who claims to be qualified to teach these arts. ( feel free to email us for information on anyone claiming to be certified/ authrized to teach these arts )