It's a comprehensive martial art centered around taijutsu (a method of using the body for self-defense), based on the ancient Japanese jujutsu (classical Japanese martial art, usually referring to fighting without a weapon), swordplay, Jojutsu (martial art using a cane staff), etc.
日本古来の柔術・剣術・杖術などを基に成立した、体術を主とする総合武術である。