Ten Ryaku no Maki 天略の巻, Heaven strategy scroll - Ninjutsu

By Yossi Sheriff

Ten Ryaku no Maki, 天略の巻, the heaven strategy scroll, is the name of the first part of a compilation of Ninjutsu techniques augmented in Bujinkan to facilitate ordered training in Ninjutsu.



Ukemi Gata Taihenjutsu, 受身体変術 - Fluid receiving techniques

Kūhen no Kata, 空変之型 – Empty changing Kata

  • Mae Gaeshi, 前返 - Front return
  • Zenpō Kaiten, 前方廻転 - Forward roll
  • Yoko Gaeshi, 横返 - Side return
  • Sayū Kaiten, 左右廻転 – Left right roll
  • Ushiro Gaeshi, 後返 – Back return
  • Kōhō Kaiten, 後方廻転 – Rear roll
  • Zenpō Ukemi, 前方受身 – Forwards fall
  • Ryūsui, 流水 – Flowing water
  • Shihō Tenchi Tobi, 四方天地飛 - Four-directional heaven-earth leaping
  • Shotenjutsu, 昇天の術 – Rising up to heaven art
  • Hokōjutsu, 歩行術 – Walking art
  • So Shin So Soku Hō, 早心早速法 – Methods to move quickly
  • Hyōjō Hokō, 氷上歩行 – Walking on ice
  • Muon no Hō, 無音の法 – Silent methods
  • Shizen Gyōun Ryūsui, 自然行雲流水 – Naturally going with the tide
  • Kentai Ichinyo, 拳体一如 – Fist and body as one



Kyū Kamae, 九構 – nine stances



Kihon Happō Gata, 基本八法型 – eight foundation forms

Kosshi Kihon Sanpō, 骨指基本三法 - striking foundation three methods

  • Ichimonji no Kamae, 一文字の構 – Straight stance
  • Hichō no Kamae, 飛鳥の構 – Bird stance
  • Jūmonji no Kamae, 十文字の構 – Cross form stance

Torite Kihon Gata Gohō, 捕手基本型五法 – hand capture foundation five methods

Sanshin no Kata, 三心の型 - three hearts forms

Shoshin Go Gata, 初心五型 - beginning spirit five forms

Gogyō no Kata, 五行の型 - five movement forms

Goshin no Kata, 梧心の型 - ‘phoenix tree’ perceptive spirit forms


Shinken Gata Taihenjutsu, 真剣型体変術 – live sword form body changing art

These are Muto dori Kata, empty hand against a weapon attack. From these postures:

  • Hira Ichimonji no Kamae, 平一文字の構 – Flat straight stance
  • Ichimonji no Kamae, 一文字の構 – Straight line stance
  • Jūmonji no Kamae, 十文字の構 – Crossed hands stance

Hōken Juroppō, 宝拳十六法 – sixteen striking treasures

  1. Kikaku Ken, 鬼角拳, Demon's head punch
  2. Shuki Ken, Good morning strike, elbow
  3. Fudō Ken, immovable fist, 不動拳
  4. Kiten Ken, Up fist, shutō, 起転拳
  5. Shi Shin Ken, finger needle fist
  6. Shitan Ken – finger end fist, 指端拳 -
  7. Shako Ken, claw fist, 蝦蛄拳
  8. Shitō Ken, finger knife fist, 指刀拳
  9. Shikan Ken, finger ring fist, 指環拳
  10. Koppō Ken, bent bone fist, 骨法拳
  11. Happa Ken, eight leaves fist, 八葉拳
  12. Sokugyaku Ken, leg reverse punch, 足逆拳
  13. Sokki Ken, knee fist, 足起拳
  14. Sokuyaku Ken, leg leap fist, 足躍拳
  15. Tai Ken, body fist, 体拳
  16. Shizen Ken, natural punch, 自然拳 - Using biting, clawing with nails etc.