User:Josephcanete

Kimitake-Ryu -きみたけ

Meaning- Investigator, Care taker, Courage

One of the lesser known of the three traditional original Ninja (Shinobi) clans.

A 15th Century clan that was outlawed and nearly exterminated during the imfamous sword hunt, when the shogun sent a 25 thousand man army to kill all the ninja in the Iga and Koga provinces that had put him In power. The few survivors of this family fled to the cities to align themselves with the Yakuza, Japanese gamblers.

Members of the Iga and Koga clan fled to the mountains and bacame Yamabishi and warrior monks. They maintained their family crest.

The Kimitake remained in hidding working along side the Yakuza providing security and other skills for which they were knowledgable. It is believed the Yakuza agreed to the arrangment in exchange for instruction in Kimitake-Ryu. This would explain the Yakuza suvival and fierce reputaion to this day.

Lacking a family crest because the clan was reduced to a handful of members, the Koga clan was used, under the Minamoto family affilation as a cadet family.

They Kimitake system is a traditional ryu containing many aspects of Shinobi no Jutstu ( Ninjutsu and Ninpo) some of its unique skills are a strong knowledge and ability in urban warefare because of the fact that they are the only clan that fled to the city. Also Metsubishi-ko, Shime-waza, Tamieshiwara, Kuatsu, as well as armed and unarmed combat, espionage, mind control, and invincibilty. Members of the clan have always been considered freelance agents (Genin)

Practicioners of Kimitake usually do not advertise their training or nature of their work, adhereing to a strict code of secrecy. Considers to be a secret society by many. Certain items are handed down to notable sutdents one being the coveted puzzle ring, manuscripts, scrolls and weapons. There is a strict initiation process which only 10% of students pass. Kimitake practicioners are know to be brutally efficient and extremly dangerous in combat. Their simple belief is - Prevail

Notable student and teachers

Shendai - Master of Kimitake-Ryu Shinobi-No Jutsu

An original decendent of the Kimitake clan he taught a select few and only one that is known. The training scoll and lineage was passed on to the current head of the Kimitake Clan, Master Ashida Kim.

Ashida Kim is an internationally renowned martial arts expert who teaches and lectures on Ninjitsu around the world. He has written fifty plus books on martial arts. In 2009 he was inducted into the USKA Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Grandmaster of the Year. Having been unknown for nearly 20 years never showing his face, he is a controversial figure considered to be the black sheep of the ninjutsu world. He is a prolific writter and considered excentic by many but has the ability to explain this mysterious art as few can. It has been speculated by many that the controvery surrounding him Is by design. In this way he can go about his writing and teaching, while others talk and wonder. He has a handful of longstanding notable students that are feircly loyal.