Bujinkan

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is a 900 year old tradition taught by the current grandmaster, Dr Masaaki Hatsumi, Soke. The whole system is made up of nine schools (ryu) encompassing a wide range of traditional and modern armed and unarmed fighting and self-defence skills - striking, grappling, takedowns; weapons such as sword, spear, naginata, shuriken and bo; strategy and personal survival skills. This diversity means there is something in the art for everyone regardless of size, shape, gender, age or personal style. The nine schools are unified by a particular approach and attitude, or 'feeling' as Hatsumi Sensei would say. This approach values flexibility, adaptability and effectiveness over adherence to form for its own sake.

MASAAKI HATSUMI

Dr Masaaki Hatsumi trained with the last man to live the traditional life of a ninja, Takamatsu Sensei. Takamatsu Sensei handed down nine martial arts traditions to Hatsumi Soke who, in time, gave this system the name Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

Hatsumi Soke is considered a National Living Treasure in Japan. He is the first to open the nine traditions to the public, and in particular to western students. Today students from around the world can train directly with Soke and other Japanese shihan at the Honbu dojo in Noda City, Japan.

Hatsumi Sensei is not only renowned as a martial artist, but also as a healer, artist, actor and calligrapher.

"By experiencing the confrontation of danger, the transcendence of fear or injury or death, and a working knowledge of individual personal powers and limitations, the practioner of ninjutsu can gain the strength and invincibility that permit enjoyment of the flowers moving in the wind, appreciation of the love of others, and contentment with the presence of peace in society." Hatsumi Soke

TOSHITSUGU TAKAMATSU

Toshitsugu Takamatsu was known as Moko No Tora (Mongolian Tiger). He was born in 1887 and trained in martial arts from a very early age.

takamatsukuji

Toshitsugu made several trips to China and abroad when he was young. There are countless stories of his adventures and martial prowess. In the 1950's Takamatsu took a new student named Hatsumi Yoshiaki, then in his 20's. Hatsumi Sensei trained with Takamatsu every weekend for 15 years. Hatsumi said that when he first met Takamatsu he was frightened of him.

One day Takamatsu and Hatsumi were sitting in a room in Takamatsu's house. Takamatsu told Hatsumi to close his eyes while he left the room, and to keep them closed. Hatsumi heard him leave the room and go downstairs. He did not hear Takamatsu re-enter the room.Takamatsu attacked Hatsumi from behind with a live Katana using Jumonji Kiri, one vertical and one horizontal cut. Hatsumi later said that as he sat in the room with his eyes closed, he felt something was wrong and moved to the side. Then, for no reason, he somersaulted forward. Takamatsu told Hatsumi that he had the 'feeling' (sakki) and presented the sword to Hatsumi. After this Takamatsu gave Hatsumi the Menkyo Kaiden.