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Ninpo Goshinjutsu Mu Te Jinen Ryu is a complete martial art training that was developed in 1977 by Soke Bo Munthe 10 Dan.  Mu Te Jinen Ryu is the study of Budo and how it applies to modern living.

Background   -   Development  -  Birth  -  Ninpo Goshinjutsu  -  Kuden  Symbol  -  Guidelines  -  Etiquette

Translation from Swedish to English has kindly been done by Gunnar Hoffsten

Background

The need for self defence has been in existence since man for the first time had to choose between death or survival. All over the world different forms of self defence have seen the light of day. Some styles, perhaps for the most part the Asian styles, have been around for thousands of years, above all thanks to the fact that they have been, and still are, so well preseved in texts, on scrolls and passed down from teacher to student.

Our ancestors, the Vikings, fought in various ways, both to conquer but also to protect themselves against attacks. It is likely that the roots of their combat techniques can be found in Icelandic wrestling, Glima, which is still practised today. In Glima wrestling there are direct parallels to Japanese judo. In Holland, a book on self defence has been preserved that describes techniques also found in jujutsu. These techniques are 400 years old. This book was written during the 17^th century and the techniques are reported not to be of Japanese origin, rather they are genuinely European. In Greek wrestling there is a style which is probably one of the oldest combat styles in the world, Pagration. Pagration was represented at the first Olympic Games, albeit in a form very much different from modern Greek wrestling. Pankration has subsequently given way to other, similar forms of combat such as Pankrace, Shootfighting and others.

Viking Cronholm is the founder of modern Swedish Martial Arts. As early as 1908 he demonstrated Japanese self defence techniques to an astounded public. His little book, ”Jiujitsu Tricks”, has been reprinted many times over the years. No one in Sweden interested in jiujitsu, one way or another, has been able to miss this fine little, still relevant, book. The illustration to the left is taken from the book from Holland.  top

Development

Some of the people who began studying jiujitsu and judo in the mid 1950’s and early 1960’s have, based on their many years of experience, created their own styles of self defence. In Europe, jiujitsu has developed in a similar way. The World Kobudo Federation Jujitsu, led by Prof. Richard Morris, is based on techniques from judo, aikido and karate. The same goes for the Swedish jujutsu style led by Hans Greger. Ju-shin-jitsu is a more subtle form of self defence, founded by my jujitsu sensei, Georg Irénius. Ju-shin-jitsu has its roots in traditional jujitsu. The Durewall system strongly emphasizes gentle self defence. Within the Swedish Budo Federation today, there are several different jujitsu styles founded during the late 20^th century. Seen from a historical point of view, this is understandable. It’s all to be found in Japanese history. From its many ryus, so called family inherited styles, new forms, ryu-ha, non family inherited styles and schools have emerged.

Also karate has developed in the same way. During the 1930’s, karate mainly consisted of three major styles. Today, there are literally hundreds of styles, founded by both Japanese and Westerners. Within ninjutsu, two new styles have been introduced, since two shihans have left Bujinkan and founded their own styles and philosophies. Even so, no new techniques per se have emerged, only variations in interpretation. top

”Birth”

In 1976 Bo Munthe went to Japan for the first time. During his travels, with the insurance company he was visiting, he was often asked if he studied any form of budo. Bo Munthe told them he studied judo and self defence. The Japanese then answered; ”A-so-desu, Goshinjutsu”  - ”Aha, self defence".

One year later, when Ishizuka sensei had left Sweden after his second visit, Bo Munthe started wondering how he could possibly to keep ”up-to-date” with his ninjutsu studies. Bo Munthe was realised that he could not travel to Japan once a year to study. The scholarship that he had recieved 1976 was for studying cooperative run insurance (!), which he did, but training was always there.  top

Goshinjutsu

At this time, Bo Munthe had already studied judo, jiujitsu and kempo. When he started putting it all together, also incorporating the ninjutsu he had learned, he took the liberty to establish ”his own” form of goshin practise – MuTe Ryu.

Since he had always emphasized the natural way of moving, eventually the word Jinen, ”a natural mind”, sprang to my mind. The style saw the light of day in 1977, when Bo Munthe introduced it as an addition to the ninjutsu studied in his dojo at the time, Trollbäckens Jiujitsuskola (Trollbäcken Jiujitsu School).

The literal translation of Goshinjutsu is techniques to protect the body. We can protect ourselves in different ways, through studying self defence, through foresight and vigilance but most of all, by using the common sense all of us hopefully have, getting away from trouble (running 100 meters in 20 seconds is far better than to stay and fight – if you can avoid a fight, of course). You can also do as the Bible declares and turn the other cheek.

The menaning of the words Ninpo Goshinjutsu Mu Te Jinen Ryu are the following:

• Ninpo – the deeper form of ninjutsu

• Mute – empty hand or Munthe

• Jinen – a natural mind

• Ryu – method, school

• Goshin – self defence

• Jutsu – technique, art

A question often asked is what differences there are between Goshinjutsu and Ju Jutsu. This question cannot be dismissed with a simple explanation. The primary difference, as the Goshinjutsu practitioner eventually will find out, is that Goshinjutsu is a natural minded self defence system, which basically is ninjutsu. It is of course influenced by Bo Munthe Soke's point of view, both ethically and in budo. He regards it as a form of martial art with its roots in the feudal ninjutsu practise, but adapted to modern society demands for self defence. The philosophy of The Five Elements, Godai, is also included as a very important part of Ninpo Goshinjutsu.   top

Kuden – direct learning

Because Ninpo Goshinjutsu Mu Te Jinen Ryu is so versatile it is not easy for dojo leaders outside Stockholm to learn all the techniques in this style. Kuden is direct learning from the source. This means that everyone who wants to develop within this art has to attend the training sessions that are led by Bo Munthe Soke.  top

Our Symbol

The symbol consists of two crossed yawara. These yawara are a reminder of the of the style’s traditional foundation. The yawara were used by, among others, the temple guards in feudal Japan. Today they can be found in the hands of the statues guarding temples in, among other countries,  Japan. However, they are primarily a religious symbol.

The inner meaning of yawara can be found in tantric buddhism and in Mikkyo. The yawara and the bell are two common symbols in these religions. The yawara is for instnce mentioned in the Kongokai - mandala. There the yawara symbolizes wisdom, lightning and The Kingdom of Diamonds. The first calligraphy I recieved from Hatsumi sensei reads NINPO IKKAN, where ikkan represents ”like a diamond”, endless, full of nuances etc. It also explains the meaning of Ninpo, that it is something vast, never ending, the higher order of practice.  top

Guidelines

6 kyu - rokukyu - white belt            beginner’s rank

5 kyu - gokyu - yellow belt            one term from start 

4 kyu - yonkyu - orange belt         one term from yellow belt

3 kyu - sankyu - geen belt            one term from orange belt

2 kyu - nikyu - blue belt                  one term from green belt

1 kyu - ikkyu - brown belt                 two terms from blue belt

1 - 4 dan - black belt                  two terms from brown belt, thereafter the same 5 dan - black belt        amount of years as the dan rank... . Two years to 2:nd dan and so forth. Many years, that is…    

The training costume (keikogi) is as follows:

Mudansha are to wear a white heavy weight Karate style uniform with awarded coloured belt.  The goshin-patch should be sewn to the upper left sleeve. For those goshin-shibu (dojos) who have their own patches, the patch should be sewn to the right arm.

Yudansha are to wear a black heavy weight karate style uniform.  The goshin-patch should be sewn to the upper left sleeve and the JJI badge should be sewn to the right arm.

Correct Badge Placement

Black belts from other styles may wear their black belt during goshin training, although their dan rank can not be converted into a Goshin rank. (The reason a yudansha (black belt) has the right to wear his belt in Goshinjutsu training is that we look upon a Dan rank as a rank in BUDO). They should follow the syllabus and take the exams like everyone else. Kyu ranked from other styles may not wear their belt. They should start with the beginner’s rank.

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DOJO ETIQUETTE

Please remember to bow at the following times:-

i.                    When entering or leaving the dojo.

ii.                  Commencing or finishing training with your partner.

The senior Black Belt instructor must be addressed as Sensei, whilst any appointed instructor will be addressed as Senpai.

At the end of each class, all students will line up facing the senior instructor with the highest grade to the right and the lowest to the left, your knees will all be in a straight line.

Following a period of meditation, the senior instructor signal’s the end of the lesson. The highest grade will then say;

Sensei ni rae           “SEN-SEI NI REI”

 (Bow to the teacher)

Then all students will say;

Arigato gosaimasda          “A-RI-GA-TO GO-ZAI-MAS-DA”

(Thank you for helping us)

Finally a few points to avoid me nagging you.

NO JEWELLERY  

I do not want to hear “Sorry I forgot” if I see it first, I get to remove it (earrings and piercing are my favourite).

NAILS          Keep them short or they can be removed!

When we have finished training you all will put the mats away, neat and tidy.

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