Possibly one of the youngest Koryu, Fusen ryu goes back only to the end of Edo Period (Bakumatsu). The art is well known for it's practicality and influence on modern day ground work and submission. Though a Koryu, Randori is still a common practice today.
Takeda Butsugai (also known or spelt as Takeda Genkotsu Motsugi) was born in Onomichi 3rd March 1794 (end of the Tokugawa Shogunate era).
When he was 6, his parents sent him to Ryu Tai Ji (竜泰寺）where he lived until he was 12. When he turned 12 he left the temple and began his martial arts training under the tai jutsu instructor of the Gei Shu Han, master Takahashiihyoei Mitsumasa. He achieved Menkyou kaiden of Nanba Ippo Ryu. From age 19 to 30, he traveled throughout Japan studying Buddhism sword and pen. At 31 he became the head priest of the Saihouji Temple (済法寺).At the age of 12 years old, Butsugai became a monk at the Denpuku-ji temple in Geishu (present day's Hiroshima City), a temple of the Sodo sect of Zen. Where he was then known as Takeda Butsugai Osho (Osho is a term of respect for a monk).


(Left: Sai Houji Temple - Motsu Gai, founder of Fusen Ryu was head priest of this temple)
Takeda Butsugai was a child of Miki Heita, a retainer of Matsudaira Okinokami and Lord of Matsuyama-han (present day's Ehime Prefecture). He studied Nanba-ippo Ryu with Takahasi Inobei Mitsumasa and official Taijutsu (unarmed combat) instructor of Geishu, for about seven years and was awarded “Menkyo Kaiden”.
After this Butsugai travelled around many parts of Japan and kept studying in both literary and martial arts until the age of 30. On top of Nanba-Ippo Ryu, he studied Yoshin-ryu, Shibukawa Ryu, Kito-ryu, Takenouchi-ryu, Yagyu-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu, etc. and, by adopting strong points of each style and created his style “Fusen-ryu”.
A stage in History - Motsu Gai was walking in Kyoto one day and come across the office of the famous Shin Sen Gumi. Because he stopped to watch their training, the chief of the Shin Sen Gumi, Kondo Isami, got angry and attacked Motsu Gai with a spear. It was witnessed that Motsu Gai quickly and easily defeated this famous Samurai.
It has a variety of techniques such as devastating “Atemi” (Tsuki), which was a speciality of Butsugai, “Shime” (strangling of joints), “Gyakute” (twisting and over-extending of joints), “Nage” (throwing) and “Ne waza” (ground techniques), On top of “Kenjutsu” (sword), “Jo jutsu” (short staff) and “Kusarigama” (sickle with chain and weight).
Many martial artists heard the reputation of “Fusen-ryu” and came to challenge him and but nobody could beat Butsugai and people called him “Genkotsu Osho” (monk with strong fists), on famous episode is that Butsugai had a match against Kondo Isamu, head of the Shinsengumi, a group which was policing in Kyoto at time and had a reputation as very hard fighters and beat him. This episode is an example to show the excellence of “Fusen-ryu” techniques and the quality of Butsugai as a martial artist, Butsugai died in 1867.
Several branch schools, as certain other branch schools of Fusen-Ryu still exist today, and they do not focus on newaza).One branch school that does is Shin Mei Fusen Ryu Jujutsu (新明不遷流柔術).

Fusen Ryu Jujitsu Lineage:
Founder 1st Head master - Motsugai Fusen
2nd Head master -Takeda Sadaii Yoshitaka
3rd head master - Tanabe Torajiro Yoshisada
4th Head master - Tanbe Yoshishiro Yoshimitu
5th Head master - Nakayama Eizaburo Yoshyiuki
6th head master - Nagayama Kaza
7th Head master - Inoue Kazutoshi Yoshitsugu.
8th Generation - Masumoto Takamasa received Menkyo Kaiden and permission to head a "Bunkei" in Osaka.

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