Ryu / Ryūha

流 / 流派

Suffix and term designating a specific school, style, or lineage in Japanese martial arts.

Quick Facts

CategoryTitle

Pronunciation/[ryoo] / [ryoo-hah]/

Alternative NamesSchool of martial art, Style lineage, Stream

Definition

Ryu ('flow/stream') attaches to style names to denote a distinct lineage or system of techniques (e.g., Shotokan-ryu, Goju-ryu). It signifies a codified curriculum maintained by the Soke across generations.

Related Terms

Budo武道

Umbrella term for Japanese martial ways focusing on spiritual and personal growth.

Soke宗家

Title designating the headmaster or founder of a traditional Japanese school (Koryu).

Koryu古流

Traditional Japanese martial schools founded prior to the Meiji Restoration (pre-1868).

Associated Martial Arts

Takamura Shindo Yoshin-ryu Tenjin Shin-ryu Jujutsu Jikishin-ryu Jujutsu Asayama Ichiden-ryu Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu Shotokan Kyushin-ryu Jujutsu Takagi-ryu Jujutsu Chokushin-ryu Jujutsu Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Unkei-ryu Jujutsu Sekiguchi-ryu Jujutsu Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Jundokan Goju-ryu Shinno Shinto-ryu Jujutsu Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu