Togakure Ryu Seishin Teki Kyoyo

Philosophies (Seishin Teki Kyoyo)

Mehtods of a Divine Heart and Divine Eyes (Shinshin Shingan no Ho)

Shinshin Shingan refers to looking at things through the view point of a deity. It involves not only understanding the opponent but also sensing the unknown. The ability to sense danger, to sense an attack, or to sense lethal intent (sakkijutsu) is something that Togakure Ryu practitioners train in very diligently. It also involves being able to sense the position of the opponent's body relative to one's own when in combat. By entering a state of emptiness (Mu), the defender entrusts his spirit to the heavenly realm and becomes sensitive to all that is around him. To him, it seems as though he is seeing through the eyes of a diety and feeling with the heart of a god.

The Art of the Killing Spirit (Sakkijutsu)

Sakkijutsu is the skill of sensing the intent of an opponent. When a practitioner enters a state of emptiness, he becomes more aware and can sense many things even the intent to kill. For the sakki test, the defender is seated upon his knees in front of an opponent. The opponent is behind him with a katana raised in Daijodan no Kamae. At the opportune moment, the opponent swings the katana down. The defender must sense the presence of the opponent's lethal intent and move his head to the side.

Methods of Switching between Truth and Emptiness (Kyojitsu Tenkan Ho)

The concept of kyojitsu permeates all levels of bugei. It often is translated to make something false appear true and what is true appear false. While not necessarily the original meaning, the concept is not without merit. In taijutsu, this could be as simple as drawing the opponent's attention with the hands (kyo) while using the lower body - such as the legs, hips, and core (hara) - to actually execute the technique (jitsu). The hands are the distraction or falsehood (fujitsu/ kyo) and the hara is the truth (jitsu). A more accurate translation of Kyojitsu is the ability to switch back and forth between what is actually there and what could potentially be there. Basically, when resistance occurs in a technique, movement, or attack, the shinobi switches and adapts to what is happening. The jitsu is the actual attack or technique being used; the kyo is the potential attack the shinobi has if the attack fails or meets resistance. Instead of fully committing to one attack or one way of thinking, the shinobi remains open to the possibility of other options. The Kyo can be achieved by either preparing in advancing or by sensing how to react in the moment.

Hidden Methods of the Nine Slashes: Spiritual Learning, Chants, and Seals
(Kujikiri Hiden: Kyomon Jumon Ketsu-In)

Kujikiri is a method of slashing lines into the air with the finger in order to write prayers and send them forth into the universe. Kuji-In are methods of intertwining the fingers for chanting and meditating. These are sometimes thought of as Eastern magic, but these are an important part of the religious beliefs held by shinobi.

Kyomon refers to learning about the providence that rules over nature. By training in spirituality or kyomon, the shinobi would strive to master the Mind and Eyes of God (Kanjin Kaname). The shinobi would perform deeds based on justice to follow the will of heaven. The shinobi would train spiritually with Banpen Fugyo in mind. This means that no matter the circumstance the shinobi would remain unshaken by the chaos around him. In other words, the shinobi would maintain a mentality of the Immovable Spirit (Fudoshin).

Jumon is a method of chanting to gain the power of the divine. It is used together with ketsu-in a form of kuji-in. Ketsu-In is a method of binding one's heart to the heart of a higher power/ the divinity of nature. Together Ketsu-In and Jumon allow the shinobi to put himself under a form a self-hypnosis. It convinced him that he was in the hands of the divine and gave him confidence to accomplish great feats such as infiltrating a castle, slipping past guards, and remaining hidden when needed.

There are many different prayers, chants, and spells in this section, but few are known. The following is a jumon ketsu-in for making a guard sleepy and sluggish. The shinobi locks in the ketsu-in by placing both palms together and folding the pinkie, ring, and middle fingers down. The index fingers point out straight and the index fingers and thumbs are held together. Next, the shinobi chants, "Go shin chin kon teki rei baku ei min."

Methods of Concealing the Divine Heart (Shinshin Onshin Ho)/
Methods of Concealing the Will (Ishiki Onshin Ho)

While Shinshin Shingan Ho involves sensing the opponent's intent, Shishin Onshin Ho deals with hiding one's own intent. When fighting with taijtusu Shinshin Onshin Ho involved hiding one's intent to keep the opponent from anticipating the attack. This was also useful for when the shinobi wanted to slip past guards unnoticed. After years of service, skilled guards are often able to sense the presence of others. Togakure Ryu shinobi believed it was the intent that the guards were able to sense. The shinobi would "bind the enemy's movement" by using the ketsu-in 'Ku Baku In' and chanting a jumon three times. Then, the shinobi would empty himself (Mu) and confidently slip by.

The Skills of Understanding a Person's Heart (Jinshin Kanpajutsu)

Jinshin Kanpajutsu are skills for learning to copy a person's actions. There are three methods. The first is to learn about a person by their conscious actions. The second is to learn about a person based on their six senses, such as what they eat, what they see, etc. The third is to learn about a person by entering a state of emptiness, in which case one would be able to gain understanding into the person's subconscious. This requires a high level of skill, but a person with this ability could copy his targets actions with his eyes close.

Seishin Touitsu Ho

Seishin Touitsu Ho is form of meditation to unify the mind and body. The goal is to concentrate on breathing while incanting and mindlessly weaving the fingers with Jumon Ketsu-In. This brings about a meditative state that acts almost as self-hypnosis to make the shinobi sure and confident.

Ninja Rikugu no Ho

unknown

Ninja Shigoku no Hiho

unknown

Methods For Quickly Moving the Body (Sokushin Sosoku Ho)

These are methods the shinobi had for using their feet (Sosoku Ho) which may include walking (Aruki), running (Hashiri), and jumping (Tobi). Great example are from Ninjutsu no Gokui.

Methods of Secret Medicine (Hiyaku Ho)

These are various unknown medicines the Togakure Ryu shinobi used.

 

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