Before the history of the Kukishinden Ryu can be discussed the history of its parent school, the Kukishin Ryu, must first be examined. The techniques in the Kukishin Ryu are said to come from China, and the lands beyond China.

The ‘Kuki’ (nine demons) in the name Kukishin was given directly to Yasushimaru Kurando by the Emperor after seeing how he fought.

The Kukishinden Ryu has its roots from the Kukishin Ryu and there are many different branches of the Kukishinden Ryu and the Kukishin Ryu. Some the different schools are listed below:

Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu*
Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu*
Kukishinden Hyoho
Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu
Kukishin Ryu Dakentaijutsu
Hon Tai Kukishin Ryu
Hon Tai Kukishin Chosui Ryu
Tatara Shinden Ryu
Shinden Tatara Ryu
Nakatomi Hyoho
Tenshin Hyoho Kukishin Ryu

*The Kukishinden Ryu is known both as Happo Hikenjutsu and Happo Bikenjutsu.

Also in the teachings of the Kukishinden Ryu is the ability to overcome an opponent from a distance, called taoke no jutsu.

Bikenjutsu is the heading for a group that is made up of Kenjutsu, Kodachi, and Jutte. The Juttejutsu is the most important part of the Bikenjutsu. The jutte also has the Tessenjutsu(art of using the fan).
This school excels especially in its use of the sword.

The Kukishin Ryu has a large weapon called a bisento, which is similar to the naginata.

The Kukishinden Ryu Hanbojutsu is one of the basic weapon forms that is taught to all students of the Bujinkan. The yari waza (sojutsu) and bo waza (bojutsu) of both Kukishinden Ryu and Kukishin Ryu come from the Amatsu Tatara makimono.

Some of the Kukishinden Ryu Densho books appear on the second color page at the front of the book on Bojutsu by Hatsumi Masaaki. These Densho books are titled as such (from left to right):

1. Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken no Jutsu 1.
2. Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken no Jutsu 2.
3. Kukishin Ryu Happo Biken no Jutsu 3.
4. Kukishin Happo Biken no Jutsu 3.
5. Hon Tai Kukishin Chosui Ryu, Kukishin Ryu Dakentaijutsu Gokui no maki 2.