What is the difference between Taijutsu and Heihojutsu?
(A) Yagyu Shingan-ryu Headmaster Koyama Samon moved to Edo (Tokyo) late in life and established a dojo there for 18 years. Life in the nation’s capital was obviously very different from that of his hometown of Sendai. It was now the peaceful Edo era and the practice of techniques wearing full armor no longer seemed practical. It is for this reason that Edo lineage Yagyu Shingan-ryu has evolved in a somewhat different direction to its counterpart (the Heiho lineage of Sendai). Heiho literally means “art of war”. Edo-line Yagyu Shingan-ryu, known as “Taijutsu”, has an extensive jujutsu (yawara) curriculum. It also focuses on the use of the 6ft staff. In higher grades, ken-jutsu, oodachi-jutsu and iai-jutsu are taught. YSR Taijutsu is practiced without armor.
