I finally got to see a full copy of the Hichibuku Goshinjutsu Genri 秘致武九護身術原理 document written by Takamatsu Sensei and have it explained to me. It is not a very large document but contains a number of important principles related to the application and practice of this treatment method. I first saw this treatment many years ago while out to eat with Hatsumi Sensei at Yaburin (Masao’s) restaurant that used to be by his home in Noda-shi. Hatsumi Sensei helped lead me to my first Anma and Seitai teachers in Japan.

The Hichibuku Goshinjutsu Genri is a relatively small document that is part of a larger manuscript: Tatara Hibun 蹈鞴秘文 of which I have only seen an outline for. The Hichibuku Goshinjutsu Genri document follows closely to Chapter 5 of Hatsumi Sensei’s book “Ima Ninja” which I have provided some translation of in English here: Ninpo Used in Daily Life.

The introduction first page begins by explaining that the method was put together from nine old martial arts (it doesn’t list them), old forms of pharmacology (herbs), and Shinkei Gaku (study of the nerves and points associated with them).

The next section goes into the parts of the spine and which vertebrae are associated with which internal organ. The chart drawn by Takamatsu Sensei breaks the spine into three sections. This is nothing new and has been used in many old Anma and Shiatsu works in Japan. Basically with the same information written. I could do a side by side comparison to and old Anma manuscript next to Okuyama Sensei’s Koho Shiatsu manual, to what Takamatsu Sensei drew and explained in his chart. They are all a very close match to one another. Standard medical anatomy training.

Then there is a section explaining common problems related to the mal-placement of the spine and issues you might experience due to these mal-alignments.

The next section is titled: Hichibuku Goshinjutsu Hodokusu Kokoro-e 秘致武九護身術施す心得. This section covers the state of your mind that you must have before giving this treatment to another person. Takamatsu Sensei lists a number of requirements for the Jutsusha 術者 (practitioner) and Kanja 患者 (patient) that somewhat follow what Hatsumi Sensei included in Chapter 5 of Ima Ninja. This section also explains a form of Saiminjutsu 催眠術 (hypnotism) called Sokusan Ho 速算法. This is used to set the state of mind of your partner/patient.

Moving into the actual treatment methods comes next and begins with the spine and checking points that relate to the pressure or strength of your flow of blow at certain locations. This also includes ways to be able to read your partner and their state of health along certain areas of their body, and signs of unhealthy conditions. The ability to “read” the body’s signs. Next begins how to use your fingers and thumbs, and how to sit on your partner to apply techniques properly with good posture, and how to manipulate them correctly with your correct body position.

Basic Treatment Outline:

1. Assessment and Adjustment of the Spine
2. Stomach
3. Neck
4. Back
5. Both Legs
6. Toes
7. Regulation of the Waist
8. Abdomen
9. Treatments for High Blood Pressure, Neuralgia, Backache, etc…

The documents ends with Takamatsu Sensei’s signature and the same transmission date that Hatsumi Sensei received the Togakure-ryu Ninjutsu secret manuscripts and scrolls. Takamatsu Sensei also states that the entire contents are Kuden 口伝. Takamatsu Sensei states clearly that the method of Hichibuku Goshinjutsu is for helping people and is not to be used to make money. Also, stated is that you should tell your partner that is not responding to the method and remains sick to see a doctor for their condition.

At the Maru Ichi Taishū Shokudō Ө大衆食堂 (tea house and cafeteria) in Kashihara-shi Takamatsu Sensei ran, he use to see many people and treat them with these methods and with various herbs he kept in a section of his house.