Kukishinden Tenshin Hyōhō is Kukamishin ryū
Recently the Kukishinden Tenshin Hyōhō has formally changed the name of the ryūha and is now to be referred to as the Kukamishin ryū. This has led to some confusion with people interested in the classical Japanese martial arts, and has led to questions of whether these are the same ryūha or two different schools – especially those familiar with the old Kukishinden Tenshin Hyōhō website, videos, and postings on internet bulletin board sites. After speaking with the 20th Shihanke, Takatsuka Eichoku, about this situation, Takatsuka sensei requested that I put together an explanation in order to alleviate any confusion this change may have caused.
The easiest way to think of this change is as a “restoration.”
According to ryūha documents, the origin of the Kukamishin ryū began in the Nanbokuchō period (1334-1392) when Yakushimaru Ryushin (Kurando) rescued the imprisoned Emperor Godaiko. During the battle that followed his escape, Ryushin’s naginata was cut off during the fight so he used the remaining shaft and his family’s special spiritual teachings, which included a form of kuji, to keep the enemy forces at bay long enough for Godaiko to complete his escape.
After the battle, Emperor Godaiko praised Yakushimaru Ryushin’s prowess on the battlefield, and to show his appreciation for his service, conferred the name Kukami on him. The "Ku" of Kuki stands for "Ku" (number nine in Japanese) of kuji. "Ki" can be pronounced "Kami" if the Chinese character is pronounced in the Japanese way, meaning "Oni-gami" (holy spirits) as opposed to just "Oni" (evil spirits). "Ku-ki" should therefore be officially called "Ku-kami." However, it has been customarily called Kuki since the Edo period (1603-1868). This was due, in part, to the politics of the day, and changes in the Japanese language during that time.
During the Bakumatsu period (1853-1867), The 24th Sōke, Kuki Takahiro changed the ryuha name to Kukishinden Tenshin Hyōhō after meeting and learning Tenshin Hyōhō from Shirai Tooru. Since that time, and until the recent past, the ryūha has been known as Kukishinden Tenshin Hyōhō. However, within the past few years, and after consulting with the 28th Sōke, Kuki Ietaka, it was decided to restore the name back its original incarnation: Kukamishin ryū. Henceforth the Kukishinden Tenshin Hyōhō is to be referred to as Kukamishin ryū.