Kumogakure Ryu may have been created by the Toda family (also of the Togakure Ryu) in the 1600's as a Ninjutsu school of thought, centering its techniques on the non-violent side of Ninjutsu.
Specialties of this Ryu include the Kamayari (a hooked spear), and is known for its tobi-waza (jumping techniques). The hooked spear was originally used for climbing up the sides of ships and was also used against swordsmen. Also used was the Demon Mask, sometimes worn by the members of the Ryu, for masking their faces, to play on the myth surrounding ninja and to scare the enemy. It may be from here that the Kikaku Ken strike ("Demon Horn strike") originated, which is rarely seen in other arts. When going into battle, ninja of this Ryu wore armored sleeves to protect themselves. Kumogakure Ryu also taught various survival techniques such as making fire in wet weather.
It is said that the phrase "Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo", which is said during the Bujinkan bowing procedure, comes from this Ryu and reflects both Buddhist and Shinto attitudes.