What Is Tai Justsu?

Today’s Tai(Body) Jutsu(Art/application) is composed of a merging of nine schools making it a Self Defence that is unsurpassed in its breadth and practicality and has a traceable lineage of over 900 Years with a record of 34 Generations of Grand Masters down to-days Grand master Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is an “integrated body system” and *NOT* a “technique-based art” like most Koryu ( See "Articles").
People are confused by this because, on the surface, the Bujinkan has “techniques” like Koryu schools, so people naturally believe that it is a “technique-based art.” This is not the case at all.
The techniques exist to teach an integrated body system.
This is the focus of Hatsumi-sensei’s teachings, and this is how we need to train to understand.
Tai Jutsu is an art of movement, training concentrates on motion, timing and distance and the effective use of the body in all situations so it does not matter how strong or heavy or how small you may be.  

The Art is made up of a number of elements including but not not exclusive to:

Junan Taiso Stretching and conditioning.
Taihen Jutsu All forms of movement, including footwork, evasions, balancing, leaping and rolling.
Daken Jutsu Punching, Kicking Striking and blocking. This is similar to Karate.
Jutai Jutsu Grappling, throwing and immobilization techniques and easily learned escapes from holds. Here the art is similar to Judo and Aikido but is much older and taught in a simpler but subtler form. 

There is no sporting competition or artificial fighting in our training and we try to make every lesson different to the one before so we can learn to apply our art to every possible circumstance.
A Martial Art is strongest in defence.

The Nine Schools that make up the Bujinkan.

Togakure Ryu                 Ninpo.                        (Hidden Door School).
Established by Togakure Daisuke around the year 1161. It is the second oldest school of the Bujinkan. Most of the Bujinakan's philosophy originates from this school. The use of shuriken (throwing blades) and stealth and evasion training come from it.

Gyokko Ryu                     Kosshijutsu.             (Jewel Tiger School)
It is believed to have come to Japan from China around the 8th Century and it is believed that Kosshijutsu was developed from Chinese Kempo.

Koto Ryu                          Koppo Justu.          (Tiger knocking down school)
Tiger knocking Down school refers to the fact that they strike down their opponent with the tips of their fingers, as this school used a lot of hand conditioning.

Takagi Yoshin Ryu        Jutai Jutsu.               (High Tree, Raised Heart School)
Circa 16 Century. This was later mixed with Sumo wrestling techniques and Takenouchi Ryu ( Jutai Jutsu ),Takagi Yoshin Ryu technique are applied so a to restrict excape through rolling and breakfall, this developed for fighting in restricted area.

Kukishinden Ryu              Hiken Jutsu.              (The Nine Demon Gods School)
Circa 17Century. The fighting postures are well grounded and the emphasis is on conserving energy. The most of the weapons learned in the Bujinkan came from this school.

KumoGakure Ryu           Ninpo.                         (Hiding In The Clouds School)
Bujinkan Dojo begin and finish training with a short Mantra “Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo” from this school. This just means to seek with a pure heart to the truth.

Gikan Ryu                         Koppo Jutsu.          (Truth Loyalty & Justice School)
This Ryu was founded Circa 16 Century Little is known of this school in the westA school Maxim is “ Buri ni Sente Nashi” meaning from this side there is no first strike.

Gyokushin Ryu                Ninpo.                         (School of the Jeweled Heart)

Little of this school is known to the west but it is thought to have specialised in Sutemi technique ( Sacrifice, that is appearing to give oneself to lure the opponent )

Shinden Fudo Ryu         Daken Taijutsu.       (Immoveable Heart School)
This school was formed in the mid 12th century. This tradition stresses natural and relaxed attacks based on training in nature. Dakentaijutsu (striking) and the long sword are two skills of this ryu.