Kitō-ryū Jūjutsu (起倒流柔術) is derived from Ryōi Shintō-ryū Jūjutsu (良移心当流 柔術), so I thought that this Japanese language article might be of interest.

From the 'Nihon Kobudō Sōran' (日本古武道総覧)
“Compendium of Japanese Classical Martial Arts” (1989).

Yurai — Origins
Regarding the origins of Kitō-ryū Jūjutsu, there are three theories:

1. That it began with Fukuno Shichirōemon (福野七郎右衛門).
2. That it descended from Terada Goemon Hisamitsu (寺田助右衛門満英).
3. That it arose jointly from Ibaraki Sensai and Fukuno Shichirōbei.

It is said that the school originated through these combined influences. From surviving documents and densho (伝書), it appears that there was some relationship with teachings such as Ise Jūhō (伊勢重宝).

However, the generally accepted view is that the founder was Ibaraki Sensai.

Later generations, such as Yagyū Munenori (柳生宗矩), also undertook research and training in martial arts and Zen. It is said that from these influences the important transmission scroll of Kitō-ryū known as the: 本體之巻 Hontai no Maki was established.

The 34th headmaster, Ōe Masamichi (大江政道), transmitted: 起倒流乱日録 Kitō-ryū Rand Nichiroku
which records the teachings of the tradition.

The Noda-ha and Bicchū-ha lines of Kitō-ryū began with Noda Wazaemon in Okayama. He served the Ikeda clan of Okayama and taught Imahori Kichinosuke, who in turn spread Kitō-ryū widely throughout the Edo period into the Taishō era, producing many skilled exponents.

Wazaemon’s eldest son Kuma, together with Furuta Naozō, became particularly influential in Edo. Yoshida Kichinosuke later moved to Tokyo and opened a dōjō, while Kanō Jigorō also received considerable influence from Kitō-ryū in the formation of Kōdōkan Jūdō.

The final successor of the Noda-ha, Nanba Toyoharu, was filmed in an 8 mm motion picture demonstrating the forms of Kitō-ryū. Presently these materials are preserved and researched in Okayama under the guidance of Uchino Yukishige and Ōe Masamichi.

特徴
Tokuchō — Characteristics
Kitō-ryū possesses forms that can still be seen within the classical kata of Kōdōkan Jūdō. Since the school developed from kumiuchi (組討) methods, many of its throws utilise the opponent’s force.
At first glance the movements may appear slow, but they rely upon the opponent’s power and balance. In this respect the school shares characteristics with schools such as Tenjin Shin’yō-ryū (天神真楊流), particularly in techniques such as:
けの一突き Keno Ichi Tsuki and related methods.

Translated from the original Japanese into British English by ChatGPT

Photograph
The photograph depicts a paired demonstration of Kitō-ryū Jūjutsu. One practitioner applies a throwing or kuzushi movement while maintaining close body contact, illustrating the ryū’s characteristic use of the opponent’s balance and force rather than direct muscular strength.