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Tozawa Hakuunsai

Legendary figure

Legendary founder of the Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu school, who according to tradition lived in the late Heian period; sources do not document his existence.

Quick Facts

Country of OriginJapanJapan
Also known asTozawa Hakuunsai Hogen

Biography

Tozawa Hakuunsai is, according to tradition, the founder of the Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu school. He is also referred to as Tozawa Hakuunsai Hogen, and tradition places him in the late Heian period (794 to 1192), when he is said to have founded the school.

The figure "1156–1159" is linked to him, but it likely corresponds to the Hogen era, part of his title, not his life dates. His dates are therefore uncertain.

Gyokko-ryu, which tradition attributes to him, specializes in kosshijutsu (strikes to the muscles), shitojutsu (fingertip strikes) and ninjutsu.

We have not been able to verify his existence historically. We therefore consider him a figure of tradition, not a documented historical person.

Associated Martial Arts

Gyokko-ryu KosshijutsuTraditional founder→

One of the nine schools of the Bujinkan. Green (2001) calls it the oldest of them and describes it as a mostly striking art with hard joint dislocations.