The Kukishinden style was developed in the Kumano prefecture, and during the life of the school it was employed by Japanese seamen for combat. This greatly influenced the schools techniques and weapons. Warriors of the Kukishinden are said to have used masts and rigging during combat.
This school is most famous in the Bujinkan for its many different weapon techniques. It is a complete fighting system and battlefield art based on unarmed fighting, bo, hanbo, yari and naginata techniques as well as techniques for throwing projectiles. Techniques are done assuming the combatants are wearing armor, and the movements reflect this. Since this system may have been used as a naval art, consequently the movements are designed to be used on a ship that is slippery and rocking.Sensei Ueshiba, the founder of modern Aikido, in his youth studied the Kukishinden from the Kuki family.