Masaki Ryu Kusarijutsu

Masaki Ryu Kusarijutsu (Masaki's School of the Art of the Chain)
By Ray Bull

Masaki Ryu is one of Japan's older and more obscure martial arts. Masaki Toshimitsu Dannoshin was a guard at a Buddhist temple gate in Edo in the 1600's. He created the manriki-gusari so he could do his job and not break the Buddhist prohibition against spilling blood. He also developed the techniques for it's use and founded the school that teaches these techniques and bears his name.

A manriki-gusari can range from three to twelve feet long, with the average about six feet. The chain itself is called kusari and the weights are called fundo. Students of Masaki Ryu will use the manriki-gusari to entangle an opponent's weapon or limb, and then apply a lock or choke with the other end of the chain. Sometimes the manriki-gusari will be used to entangle and sweep the opponent's legs. With the manriki-gusari possessing the two qualities of adding to a martial artist's reach and being very concealable, it can be a devastating weapon in the right hands.

Training in Masaki Ryu can be obtained only in Japan. Even there it is not a popular and widely practiced art.

Entrance Requirements: None
Skill Cost: 10 Years (5 as a Secondary)
Costume: Standard Gi
Stance: None

CHARACTER BONUSES

Add +5 to Chi

Add +2 to P.P.

Add +1 to P.E.

Add +5 to S.D.C.

COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Maintain Balance
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry
Advanced Defense Moves: Disarm, Multiple Dodge
Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch), Palm Strike
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Snap Kick, Trip/Leg Hook
Special Attacks: Choke, Knee, Elbow, Body Flip/Throw, Crush/Squeeze, Body Block/Tackle, Death Blow
Weapon Katas: W.P. Manriki-gusari (Note: The Manriki-gusari can be used to perform Body Flip/Throw, Choke, Disarm, Holds, Locks, and Trip/Leg Hook.)
Holds/Locks: Arm Hold, Body Hold, Leg Hold, Elbow Lock, Wrist Lock
Modifiers to Attacks: Pull Punch, Knockout/Stun, Critical Strike, Knockout/Stun from Behind, Critical Strike from Behind

SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: You may select a total of two (2) Martial Arts Powers from Martial Arts Techniques, and Special Katas.
Languages: Japanese
Cultural: Hojo-Jutsu
Weapon: W.P. Manriki-gusari
Philosophical Training: Buddhism

If this is your Primary Martial Arts Style then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time. Jujutsu (4 years)

LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
Level 1: +1 to Maintain Balance, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Parry/Dodge
Level 2: +1 to Strike, +1 to Disarm
Level 3: +1 to Body Flip/Throw, Select one (1) Martial Arts Power from Martial Arts Techniques or Special Katas
Level 4: +1 Attack per Melee, Critical Strike from Behind
Level 5: +1 to Parry/Dodge, Knockout/Stun from Behind
Level 6: +1 to Damage, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
Level 7: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Maintain Balance
Level 8: Knockout/Stun on a Natural 20, Critical Strike on a Natural 19+, Select one (1) Martial Arts Power from Martial Arts Techniques or Special Katas
Level 9: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Disarm with W.P. Manriki-gusari
Level 10: +1 to Strike, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
Level 11: +1 Attack per Melee, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19+
Level 12: Critical Strike on a Natural 18+, +1 to Body Flip/Throw with W.P. Manriki-gusari
Level 13: +1 to Parry/Dodge, Select one (1) Martial Arts Power from Martial Arts Techniques or Special Katas
Level 14: Deathblow on a Natural 20, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
Level 15: +1 to Damage, +1 to Disarm with W.P. Manriki-gusari

Why Study MASAKI RYU KUSARIJUTSU?

The techniques of this style revolve around an easily constructed and concealed weapon. An art dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflicts, Masaki Ryu is a simple style, but it can also destroy an opponent and his weapon.

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