Martial Arts

The Bujinkan is a new martial arts organization established by Masaaki Hatsumi Soke, the Founder, in the last 30 years. Translated, Bujinkan means “Hall of the Divine Warrior.” Hatsumi Soke gave it this name to honour his teacher, Takamatsu Toshitsugu, was the first person to receive the title Soke in all of the nine Ryu of Bujinkan and which have histories dating from the eighth century. The teachings of these schools have been handed down in direct teacher/disciple relationships throughout a lineage of some two hundred and one Soke.

In brief, Bujutsu refers to the classical martial arts/systems (pre-1600’s), while Ninjutsu is a section within Bujutsu. To think of Ninjutsu as being something outside of Bujutsu is incorrect, as is thinking of the Bujinkan Dojo as teaching only Ninjutsu.

Masaaki Hatsumi Soke received his teaching of the nine schools of the Bujinkan from Takamatsu Toshitsugu. In turn Takamatsu Sensei received his teachings from three different sources. These were Toda Shinryuken, Mizuta Yoshitaro and Ishitani Matsutaro. You must have a brief understanding of each of these schools to understand the Bujinkan as a whole.

What sets the Bujinkan apart from other modern forms of martial training (Karate, Kendo, Judo, Taekwondo, Aikido, etc.) is that the techniques which are still studied today were formed on the battlefields of Japan before nationwide peace was achieved by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603. During the 250 years of peace that followed, the warrior class, their skills no longer needed on the battlefield, began to turn to more humanitarian endeavors. The martial arts that were founded during this time of peace hold perfection of character as more important than combat effectiveness.

However in the Bujinkan, combat effectiveness was still held as the highest priority and it’s techniques were not diluted to comply to safety. The techniques in the Bujinkan are studied for real life situations - there is no tournament competition. Training is usually carried out with a partner. Each taking turns of the role of uke (the receiver). Once the instructor has demonstrated a basic technique, the students pair up and attempt the technique. The students will then be shown numerious variations (henka) of the basic technique.

It is this limitless world of variations that the student is expected to enter so that he can spontaneously create a technique from nothing should the need arise, as real-life situations rarely play themselves out as a kata shown in class.

Training with a happy heart is stressed as important in the Bujinkan. Before his death, Takamatsu told Hatsumi Sensei just how important it is:

The way to experience happiness is to let go of all worries and regrets and know that being happy is the most satisfying of life’s feelings. Reflect back on all the progress in your life and allow the positive, creative, and joyous thoughts to outshine and overwhelm any sorrow or grief. Happiness is waiting there in front of you. Only you can decide whether or not you choose to experience it.

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