Bujinkan International​

What is the Bujinkan Dojo ​

 

Bujinkan Dôjô ​
武神館道場 ​

The Bujinkan Dôjô, or "Warrior God Training Hall," was created by Hatsumi Masaaki in the early 1970's. Hatsumi Masaaki is the current Soke of the Bujinkan Dojo. The organization as a whole contains nine different Ryu (schools) of old style Japanese martial arts. Each one has its own history and lineage although some of these schools are connected and the Soke of one school, was also the Soke of another at the same time. Hatsumi Masaaki inherited these Ryu from his teacher, Takamatsu Toshitsugu who died in 1972, Hatsumi Masaaki is the Soke (Grandmaster) of the following Nine Ryu​

34th Soke - Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu
戸隠流忍術
Founded by- Daisuke Nishina in the Late 1100's ​

28th Soke - Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu ​
玉虎流骨指術
Founded by Tozawa Hakunsai in the Mid 1100's​

28th Soke - Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu​
九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術
Founded by Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru in the Mid 1300's ​

26th Soke - Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu
神伝不動流打拳体術
Founded by Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru in the Early 1100's​

21st Soke - Gyokushin Ryu Ninjutsu ​
玉心流忍術
Founded by Sasaki Goemon Teruyoshi in the Mid 1500's​

18th Soke - Koto Ryu Koppojutsu
虎倒流骨法
Founded by Sakagami Taro Kunishige in the Mid 1500's​

17th Soke – Hon Tai Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu​
本體高木楊心流柔體術
Founded by Takagi Oriuemon Shigenobu in the Mid 1600's ​

15th Soke - Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu
義鑑流骨法術
Founded by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo in the Mid 1500's

15th Soke - Kumogakure Ryu Ninjutsu
雲隠流忍術
Founded by Iga Heinaizaemon No Jo Ienaga in the Mid 1500's

 

The Bujinkan Dojo as a general rule is a combination of the nine Ryu, with emphasis changing each year based on a theme that is set by Hatsumi Masaaki. This theme has us work on one of the Ryu or a weapon. Some years it is a combination of a Ryu and one or more weapons. Many dojo around the world follow the theme, some chose not to and study aspects that are important to their dojo at that time.​

During the 1980’s and 1990’s the Bujinkan was famous for its connection to the Ninja Boom in the west. Hatsumi is the Soke of three Ninja Ryu. Prior to 1995 the Bujinkan official name was Bujinkan Dojo Ninpo Taijutsu. Hatsumi decided that too much emphasis was being played on the Ninjutsu side and not enough on the other parts of the Bujinkan which were greater in size than the Ninjutsu part. Therefore, the name was changed to Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu, this made it clear to us that Ninjutsu was only a third of the system and that as a whole we had more to look at.​

Hatsumi Sensei lives and teaches in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He still actively teaches every week at the Ayase Budôkan in Tokyo, he also runs weekly classes at the Bujinkan Honbu Dôjô in Noda. Hatsumi is assisted by his senior ranking shihan who also teach classes in the Hombu Dojo or at their own dojo. In 1997 he opened the ‘Bujinden’, his own dojo where he teaches every week.​

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Hatsumi Masaaki​
初見良昭 ​

Hatsumi Masaaki, was born on December 2, 1931 in Noda, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. In his youth he tried many different martial arts and sports, these included Judo, Karate, Aikido and Boxing, dancing (his wife is a high ranking traditional dance teacher), gymnastics, soccer, acting. Apart from the Gendai Budo (modern martial arts) he studied and taught (he taught Judo at the US Yama airbase), he started to study traditional Koryu (old schools) under various teachers. These included Yumio Nawa (Masaki Ryu Jutte, Manrikigusari, Torimono, Edo Machikata), and Ueno Takashi (Asayama Ichiden Ryu, Tenshin Ko Ryu (Shinto Tenshin Ryu), Bokuden Ryu etc). In the book by Charles Gruzanski (Spike and Chain/Ninja weapons) there are two photos of Hatsumi performing chain and shuriken. It was through his teacher Ueno Takashi that Hatsumi was then introduced to his next and last teacher, Takamatsu Toshitsugu. His previous teachers had all resided near his home, but Takamatsu lived on the other side of Japan. Hatsumi for the next 15 years made regular trips to visit Takamatsu. Ueno Takashi was a previous student of Takamatsu. From Ueno he had already been taught several Ryu connected to Takamatsu, these included Koto Ryu, Shindenfudo Ryu, Takagi Yoshin Ryu, Kukishin Ryu. Because of this prior training Hatsumi soon excelled under Takamatsu and as a result was soon named the inheritor of nine Ryu handed to him by Takamatsu.​

Hatsumi has received numerous honours and accolades over the years from any different parts of the world. He wrote and performed in the children’s television drama "Jiraiya", and appeared in "Ninja-boy-Fujimaru", and "Ninja Nights". He has acted as technical adviser on many films including the famous ‘Shinobi No Mono’ where he and Takamatsu sensei helped out with the first two movies.​

Hatsumi Sensei's list of titles and awards includes: Blackbelt Magazine's Instructor of the Year (1986), Knight (Germany), Doctor of Philosophy (USA), Doctor of Human Science (USA), Texas State Honorary Citizen, Honorary Texas Ranger, Los Angeles Honorary Citizen, Atlanta Honorary Citizen, Dublin Honorary Citizen, etc. ​

On November 22nd, 1999, Hatsumi Sensei was awarded the prestigious International Culture Award by the Japanese government. The highest honour given by the Japanese government for cultural exchange, the award was presented to Hatsumi Sensei by a representative of the Imperial Household. Later in May of 2001 Hatsumi was also presented with another special award from Pope John Paul II for his achievements in promoting kind relations among the world's people – Hatsumi was the first martial artist to be given this award. In 2007 Hatsumi was named as one of the most respected Japanese people in the world by a Japanese magazine called ‘Newsweek’. ​

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Takamatsu Toshitsugu.​
高松寿嗣 ​

Takamatsu Toshitsugu was born on March 10, 1887 in Hyogo Japan. When he was nine his father sent him to his maternal grandfather to begin studying martial arts. Over the years he mastered the different schools from his grandfather Toda Shinryuken, as well as other teachers such as Ishitani Matsutaro, and Mizutani Yoshitaro Tadafusa. Throughout his youth he fought many matches against other martial artists from different styles. As a result he suffered a punctured ear drum and lost the use of one eye. In his late teens he went to live in China for many years. He returned to Japan in his twenties and moved into the mountains around his families home in the area around Kobe to recover and train on his own. When he had recovered he returned to China for the next 10 years. Here he found many people including several fights to the death.​

In 1919, he was instrumental in helping the Kuki family restore its lost martial art called Kukishin Ryu and helped them for the next 30 years in the development and of Kukishin Ryu. In the 1950's he left the Kuki families organisation and continued on his own. His two longest training students, Akimoto and Kimura went with him. Akimoto remained a student of Takamatsu until his death in the early 1960’s and Kimura remained a student of Takamatsu until the death of Takamatsu in the 1970’s; in 1957 Takamatsu met Hatsumi Yoshiaki (changed later to Hatsumi Masaaki) and took over the instruction of the young man from one of his other student, Ueno Takashi. Takamatsu Sensei is regarded as the "last true ninja," to actually go into battle and operate as a Ninja. Takamatsu Toshitsugu passed away in May of 1972, at the age of 84 years. ​

 

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What Are The Schools ​

 
Togakure Ryu
戸隠流​

Meaning :- Hidden door school
Martial Art :- Ninjutsu​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Togakure Daisuke, and Hatsumi is the 34th Soke of this Ryu. Togakure Daisuke was originally known as Nishina Daisuke, but changed his name to stop being captured in the 1180's. Originally a school of Happo Bikenjutsu, later developing into the one of the main, and more senior Ninja schools in Iga province. They say that most of the Iga Ninjutsu is in some way connected to Togakure Ryu. Because this Ryu is the oldest in the Bujinkan, as an actual Martial arts school, the other eight schools have all been placed under it's name, for general use. This school comes from Iga prefecture.​

 
Gyokko Ryu
玉虎流​

Meaning :- Jewelled Tiger school
Martial art :- Kosshijutsu​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Tozawa Hakunsai, and Hatsumi is the 28th Soke of this Ryu. The oldest of the nine schools, but formally made into a school in the 1530's. Momochi Sandayu, one of Japan's most famous Ninja was a Soke of this Ryu-Ha. Originally a school of Shitojutsu, later becoming Kosshijutsu. They say that as the Togakure Ryu has little Taijutsu, so they used the Gyokko Ryu. It became connected to Togakure Ryu in the early 1600's. This school uses long distance in it's techniques, and moves in a circular motion (see Koto Ryu). This school comes from Iga prefecture.​

 
Kukishinden Ryu
九鬼神伝流​

Meaning :- Nine demon Gods school
Martial art :- Happo Bikenjutsu​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru, and Hatsumi is the 26th Soke of this Ryu. Originating from the Kukishin Ryu. It is now thought that some of the main origins of this school comes from the Chosui Ryu Dakentaijutsu. This school also has the Shinken Gata which the Kukishin Ryu does not have. The Sword, Hanbo and Bo are the most prominent weapon skill's used from the Ryu-ha by the Bujinkan. Specialities are the large variety of weapons including the Bisento, a very large form of the Naginata, and the Daisharin, the wheel and axle used to launch boats into the sea. This school comes from Kumano.​

 
Shindenfudo Ryu
神伝不動流​

Meaning :- Immovable heart school
Martial art :- Dakentaijutsu (also Jutaijutsu, Hojojutsu)​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru, and Hatsumi is the 26th Soke of this Ryu. This was the first school taught to both Takamatsu, and Hatsumi. The Dakentaijutsu is believed to be old, and the Jutaijutsu section being developed only 200 - 300 years ago. The sword is used a lot in this Ryu-ha, but mainly while it is still in it's scabbard. The Dakentaijutsu, uses either Shizen or Seiza for it's Kamae. This school has an attitude that links it's self to nature. This school possibly comes from near Osaka.​

 
Gyokushin Ryu
玉心流​

Meaning :- Jewelled heart school
Martial art :- Ninpo​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi, and Hatsumi is the 21st Soke of this Ryu. Many people claim to have studied this school, and it has been called Ninjutsu, Koppojutsu, Jutaijutsu, and Jujutsu. Hatsumi has not said much about this Ryu-ha, but we know it has a skill that involves using a rope like a lasso. ​

 
Koto Ryu
虎倒流​

Meaning :- Tiger knocking down school
Martial art :- Koppojutsu​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Sakagami Taro Kunishige, and Hatsumi is the 18th Soke of this Ryu. The sister school of the Gyokko Ryu and also founded in the 1530's. When Takamatsu was taught it, it was known as Koppo Karate, so the Karate part of the name was possibly dropped with the introduction of Karate to Japan in the 1920's. This school has the same history as the Gyokko Ryu. This Ryu-ha moves in straight lines and is close to the attacker (see Gyokko Ryu). This school comes from Iga prefecture.​

 
Hon Tai Takagi Yoshin Ryu
本體高木楊心流​

Meaning :- True form high tree raised heart school
Martial art :- Jutaijutsu​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Takagi Oriuemon Shigenobu, and Hatsumi is the 17th Soke of this Ryu. Oriuemon was from a Samurai family in Dewa, and he was skilled in Kyoichi Ryu Sojutsu, and a student of Ito Sukesada. Their are many branches of this school, such as Hon Tai Takagi Yoshin Ryu, and Hon Tai Yoshin Ryu. Takamatsu was the first to be Soke of both Takagi Yoshin Ryu, and Hon Tai Takagi Yoshin Ryu. This school is from the Samurai Jujutsu, and is not a Ninjutsu school. It comes from Hyogo in Osaka. ​

 
Gikan Ryu
義鑑流​

Meaning :- Justice and loyalty school
Martial art :- Koppojutsu​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo, and Hatsumi is the 15th Soke of this Ryu. The founder is said to have broken a sword blade in half with a special strike used by this Ryu-ha. As yet only a little of this Ryu has been taught by Hatsumi. So little is known. Akimoto, a student of Takamatsu, and a teacher to Hatsumi, taught this Ryu-ha to Mifune, who was one of the founders of Judo. This school comes from Kawachi.​

 
Kumogakure Ryu
雲隠流​

Meaning :- Hiding in the clouds school
Martial art :- Ninjutsu​

Background :- This Ryu-ha was founded by Iga Heinaizaemon Ienaga, and Hatsumi is the 14th Soke of this Ryu. Iga Ienaga is supposedly the founder of the Iga Ninjutsu (Ninjutsu in Iga province). Around 1624 the school was absorbed into the Togakure Ryu by the Toda family. It's speciality is the Ippon Sugi Noburi (Cedar tree climbing device), and the Kamayari. The Taijutsu is thought to be similar to that from the Togakure Ryu. This school comes from Iga prefecture.​

 

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Guidelines For Participation​
In The Bujinkan ​

参加する際 ガイドライン​
武神で ​

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1. The Bujinkan shall be open to only those who agree with and uphold the guidelines of the Bujinkan Dojo. Those not doing so shall not be allowed to join. Specifically: Only those who have read and agreed with these guidelines shall be allowed to participate.

2. Only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication shall be allowed to participate. A physician's examination report shall be required. Specifically, individuals with mental illness, drug addiction, or mental instability shall be barred from joining. The necessity of such a report concerns individuals who may present a danger to others, for example, those with infectious diseases or illnesses, individuals with clinically abnormal personalities or physiology, and individuals lacking self-control.

3. Individuals with criminal records shall be turned away. Trouble makers, those who commit crimes, and those living in Japan who break domestic laws shall be turned away.

4. Those not upholding the guidelines of the Bujinkan, either as practitioners or as members of society, by committing disgraceful or reproachable acts shall be expelled. Until now, the Bujinkan was open to large numbers of people who came to Japan. Among them, unfortunately, were those committing violent drunken acts, the mentally ill, and trouble makers who thought only of themselves and failed to see how their actions might adversely affect others. Through their actions, such people were discarding the traditional righteous heart of the Bujinkan. From this day forward, all such people shall be expelled.

5. Regarding accidents occurring during training (both inside and outside the dojo), one should not cause trouble to the Bujinkan. This is an extremely important point. Those unwilling to take personal responsibility for accidents occurring during Bujinkan training shall not be admitted. Reiterating for clarity, the Bujinkan shall not take responsibility for any accidents happening in the course of training, regardless of the location.

6. All those joining the Bujinkan must get an annual membership card. This card not only preserves the honor of the Bujinkan members, it indicates you are part of a larger whole--one whose members come together with warrior hearts to better themselves through training and friendship. It evinces the glory of warrior virtue, and embodies both loyalty and brotherly love.

7. The tradition of the Bujinkan recognizes nature and the universality of all human life, and is aware of that which flows naturally between the two parts:

•"The secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the foundations of peace.

•To study is the path to the immovable heart (fudoshin)."

Recently, the Bujinkan has become truly international. Just as there are various time zones, so exist various taboos among the world's peoples and nations. We must respect each other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must put the heart of the warrior first, working together for self-improvement and for the betterment of the Bujinkan.

Those not upholding the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out of the Bujinkan.

Masaaki Hatsumi - Soke​