This is an incomplete list of koryū (lit. "traditional schools", or "old schools") martial arts. These are schools of martial arts that originated in Japan, and were founded prior to 1876, when the act prohibiting the wearing of swords (Haitōrei) came into effect after the Meiji Restoration.
Alphabetical listing
Comprehensive systems Asayama Ichiden-ryū Kashima Shin-ryū Kukishin-ryū Sekiguchi Shinshin-ryū Suiō-ryū Tatsumi-ryū Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū Tenshinshō Jigen-ryū Takenouchi-ryū Tendō-ryū Yagyū Shingan-ryū
Grappling/close-quarters ryū (armoured, unarmoured) Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu Hontai Yōshin-ryū Kitō-ryū Kukishin-ryū Sekiguchi-ryū Shindō Yōshin-ryū Sosuishi-ryū Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū Yagyū Shingan-ryū Yōshin-ryū - Founded by Akiyama Yoshitoki Yōshin-ryū (Yōshin Koryū) - Founded by Miura Yōshin
Sword-drawing ryū (battōjutsu, iaijutsu, etc.) Hoki-ryū Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū Sekiguchi-ryu Tamiya-ryū (Kuroda) Tamiya-ryū (Tsumaki) Yagyū Shinkage-ryū
Sword-fighting ryū (kenjutsu, tōjutsu) Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū Ittō-ryū Hokushin Ittō-ryū Ittō Shoden Muto-ryū Kogen Ittō-ryū Mizoguchi-ha Ittō-ryū Nakanishi Ittō-ryū Ono-ha Ittō-ryū Jigen-ryū Kage-ryū Kage-ryū (Aizu) Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū Kashima Shintō-ryū Maniwa Nen-ryū Mugai-ryū Nen-ryū Tennen Rishin-ryū Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū Shingyotō-ryū Shinkage-ryū Yagyū Shinkage-ryū Yoshioka-ryū
Spear/polearm-fighting ryū (sōjutsu, naginatajutsu) Higo Ko-ryū Hōzōin-ryū Jikishinkage-ryū Naginatajutsu Toda ha Buko-ryū Yōshin-ryū (not to be confused with Hontai Yōshin-ryū) Tenshin Bukō-ryū Heihō
Stick/Staff ryū (jōjutsu, bōjutsu) Shintō Musō-ryū
Blade throwing ryū (shuriken-jutsu) Negishi Ryu
Various weaponry Isshin-ryū (kusarigamajutsu; not to be confused with Isshin-ryū karate)
References