Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu (本体高木楊心流) is a school of traditional Japanese martial arts (koryu) known for its focus on jujutsu and hand-to-hand combat defense techniques. Founded in the 17th century, This discipline specializes in takedown techniques, throws, leverage, and combat strategies in low-mobility situations. Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu has endured for generations as an effective martial art and has kept its original teachings from the samurai era alive.

We will explore the origins, techniques, philosophy and legacy of Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu, a school that has evolved to adapt to the changing needs of combat, without losing its roots in Japanese budo.

The Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu school was founded in the 17th century by Takagi Oriemon Shigetoshi, a jujutsu master with a deep knowledge of samurai combat arts. Shigetoshi developed the school's techniques out of the need for self-defense in close combat, specifically in close quarters situations such as the interiors of castles and dwellings of the time. This approach was crucial, as it allowed samurai warriors to neutralize unarmed opponents, using their own body as a tool of defense.

Over time, Takagi Yoshin Ryu's techniques were influenced by other martial arts and jujutsu schools, such as the teachings of Yoshin Ryu and Takenouchi Ryu. The philosophy of “Yoshin” or “Willow Spirit” is also integrated into the school, symbolizing the ability to adapt and absorb the opponent’s attacks, bending like the willow but not breaking. This philosophy influences the way in which the techniques are applied and the attitude of resilience and flexibility that practitioners develop.

The school was passed down from generation to generation, and in the 20th century the designation of Hontai (本体), meaning "fundamental" or "essential", to emphasize the preservation of its original teachings and differentiate it from other branches. Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu has been recognized as a legitimate school of budo, and continues to be practiced today as part of the rich koryu tradition in Japan and elsewhere around the world.

Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu focuses mainly on the jujutsu, an art that involves joint manipulation techniques, throws, controls, and strikes. Unlike other martial arts that rely on force or impact, jujutsu utilizes the opponent's strength and movement to unbalance and control them. This approach allows the practitioner to neutralize an opponent efficiently and economically in terms of energy.

Within jujutsu, the techniques are adapted for closed spaces., making them practical in close-range combat situations. Students learn to manipulate the opponent's weight and balance, using minimum effort to achieve maximum results, a fundamental principle of the school's philosophy.

El Dakentaijutsu is another fundamental part of the teaching in Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu, which focuses on the use of strikes and striking techniques to complement jujutsu techniques. In situations where the opponent needs to be neutralized quickly, Practitioners can use targeted strikes to cause maximum damage with minimum effort.These striking techniques allow you to open up spaces and weaken your opponent, facilitating the application of control and takedown techniques.

A distinctive feature of Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu is its emphasis on the projections (Nage Waza) and the takedowns, techniques that are especially useful in confined spaces. These techniques involve using the opponent's strength to throw him or throw him off balance, which is essential in situations where a warrior could be surrounded or faced with an enemy superior in size or strength. Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu teaches a variety of throws that not only allow one to neutralize the opponent, but also to maintain control over the situation and prepare for other attacks.

Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu includes techniques of newaza, or ground fighting, which train the practitioner to defend and control an opponent in close-range combat situations, even if the fight goes to the ground. These techniques are particularly useful in self-defense, as they allow the practitioner to maintain control from less conventional positions, taking advantage of angles and leverage to execute throws and immobilization techniques.

The influence of "Yoshin", the "Willow Spirit", is reflected in the school's philosophy. Like a willow that bends but does not break, the Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu practitioner must be adaptable and flexible, adjusting to the circumstances of combat without losing his center of balance. This adaptability allows the student to absorb impact and redirect the opponent's force, while remaining balanced and calm.

Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu not only teaches physical techniques, but also an approach to self-control and emotional resilience.Practitioners develop a mindset that enables them to face difficult situations calmly and rationally. This mental training is as important as physical training, and helps students manage stress and intense emotions both in the dojo and in their daily lives.

Discipline and respect are essential in Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu. As a traditional martial art, students are required to observe dojo etiquette and demonstrate respect toward their peers and teachers. This emphasis on etiquette and discipline helps create a learning environment in which each practitioner can focus on personal growth and develop humility and respect for others.

Today, Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu is still practiced as one of Japan's traditional martial arts, and is recognized as a legitimate koryu. Although its techniques are deeply rooted in samurai teachings, Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu has adapted its principles for relevance in the modern world, passing on its teachings through organizations and schools that preserve its lineage.

Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu has gained popularity outside of Japan, and many dōjōs in Europe, America, and other regions have begun teaching its techniques and philosophy. The school's masters organize international seminars and trainings, passing on the traditional teachings and helping new practitioners understand the art and its rich history. Through these efforts, Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu continues to inspire practitioners around the world, who find in its teachings a source of personal growth and strength.

Training in Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu is rigorous and strengthens both the body and the mind. Throwing and throwing techniques require great coordination and physical control, while the mental discipline developed through training helps the practitioner stay calm and focused in stressful situations.

The jujutsu and dakentaijutsu techniques of Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu are highly practical for self-defense. By taking advantage of the opponent's strength and balance, the Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu practitioner can effectively defend themselves against even larger and stronger opponents, making Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu a valuable option for those looking to improve their self-defense skills.

Like other traditional martial arts, Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu teaches students not only to improve their physical skills, but also to embrace the ethical and philosophical values ​​of budo. Perseverance, respect and self-control are qualities that students develop through their practice, and which they carry with them throughout their lives.

Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu is more than a combat system; it is a discipline that combines technique, philosophy and budo principles that have been passed down for generations. Through the practice of its jujutsu, dakentaijutsu and nage waza techniques, students not only strengthen their physical abilities, but also cultivate a mindset of respect, adaptability and calm. This school offers a complete training that connects practitioners to the legacy of samurai warriors and to a path of personal growth that endures beyond the dōjō.