Kusanagi style of ancient martial arts

Kusanagi style of ancient martial arts (草薙流古武術, Kusanagiryu Kobujutsu) is a fictitious fighting style employed by characters in the The King of Fighters games produced by SNK Playmore.

Kusanagi style of ancient martial arts
The Kusanagi style of ancient martial arts is the main fighting style of the Kusanagi family. Originally, due to their family's treasure, it had kendo-like origins but it was adapted over the years to focus on utilizing the user's fists for their pyrokinesis abilities. It remains a legacy amongst the family's members and is traditionally handed down with each passing generation. The exception to this is Shingo, who was taught albeit jokingly by Kyo.

The style was shared by their family's friend, the Yagami (formerly Yasakani) clan. However, after the Yasakani subjected themselves to Orochi's blood, their styles began to deviate from one another. Its been insinuated that members of the Kusanagi bloodline may also follow this path if they lose themselves to their darker side. This happens to Kyo in the 1998 drama CD and The King of Fighters: Kyo comic and echoes with his clones in the Hong Kong comics.

This martial art is very much like traditional Japanese karate style by adding kung fu in it too - very similar to Kempo Karate and Shorinryu Karate. Kyo put his own spin on the style by incorporating Kenpo in The King of Fighters 96 onwards.

Known Practitioners

 * Saisyu Kusanagi
 * Kyo Kusanagi - and his clones, Kusanagi, Kyo-1, and Kyo-2
 * Souji Kusanagi
 * Shingo Yabuki - imperfectly taught by Kyo and then mentored by Saisyu

It is not known if Aoi can fight but she inherits her family's innate pyrokinesis ability.

Martial Arts Influences

 * Kenpo


 * Kendo


 * Shorinryu Karate