is a traditional school (koryū

Koryu

is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...

) of the Japanese martial art of jujutsu

Jujutsu

Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....

. Its syllabus comprises atemi-waza

Atemi

In Japanese martial arts, the term designates blows to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use 'soft' power. Karate is a typical...

 (striking techniques), nage-waza (throwing techniques), kansetsu-waza (joint locking techniques) and shime-waza (choking techniques). Many of these techniques are performed while in full armor

Armour

Armour or armor is protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact weapons or projectiles, usually during combat, or from damage caused by a potentially dangerous environment or action...

.

Origin

Kitō Ryū is translated as "the school of the rise and fall." It is similar to forms of "aikijutsu," including the principle of "ki

Qi

In traditional Chinese culture, qì is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts...

" (energy) and aiki

Aiki (martial arts principle)

Aiki is a Japanese martial arts principle or tactic in which the defender blends with the attacker, then goes on to dominate the assailant through the strength of their application of internal dynamics or Ki energy to effect techniques. Blending with an attacker's movements allows the Aiki...

 (Kitō Ryū teaches that "When two minds are united, the stronger controls the weaker"...). Equally, it uses principles such as "kuzushi

Kuzushi

is a Japanese term for unbalancing an opponent in the martial arts.The noun comes from the intransitive verb, kuzusu, meaning to level, pull down, or demolish...

 no ri" or "breaking of balance" now associated with modern judo.

Base art of Judo

Jigoro Kano trained in Kitō-ryū and derived some of the principles that were to form the basis of modern judo

Judo

is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...

 from this style. Judo's Koshiki-no-kata

Koshiki-no-kata

is a kata in Judo.It is also known as Kito-ryu no Kata. It consists of 21 techniques originally belonging to the Kito School of jujutsu...

is based on Kitō-ryū.
Since Kano Jigoro got the Kitō-ryū densho from his Sensei, Judo is the current Kitō-ryū official successor.