Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is the name decided to express the nine schools that comprise the arts we practice. This name was decided By Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi in the early 90s to dispell some of the misconceptions that are drawn upon from the term ninjutsu. The arts we practice are not all ninjutsu, some are comprised of samurai arts and other old esoteric forms of martial arts. The philosophies and perspectives are what make these arts ninjutsu not necessarily the hows. Anyone can practice the forms of these arts. Without the proper understanding the schools would be left flat and Leave any person with out the proper instruction an insufficient warrior at best.
The Bujinkan Organization is headed by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi. Born in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, on Dec 2nd 1931. Dr. Hatsumi graduated from Mieji University of medicine in Tokyo Japan as an Ortopedic Doctor. He is respected as an accomplished artist, author, actor, musician, as well as a martial arts pioneer. He became Soke ( Grandmaster ) of the nine schools of the Bujinkan at the age of 27. Passed down to him from Toshitsugu Takamatsu, 33rd Grandmaster Togakure Ryu Ninpo. Dr. Hatsumi has recieved countless awards and commendations for his works and accomplishments. He cuurently does not teach outside of Japan anymore but practitioners can still travel to Japan to train with Hatsumi Sensei. The Bujinkan is now truly a international organization stretching the reaches of the globe. So we must all be diligent to work together and respect others customs as they may be different from our own.
The nine schools of the Bujinkan are...
Togakure Ryu Ninpo, 34th Soke, Hidden Door School
Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu, 28th Soke, Jeweled Tiger School
Koto Ryu Koppojutsu, 18th Soke, Tiger Knocking Down School
Shinden Fudo Ryu Jutaijutsu Dakentaijutsu, 26th Soke, Immovable Heart School
Kukishinden Ryu Taijutsu, 28th Soke, Nine Demons School
Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu, 17th Soke, High Tree, Raised Heart School
Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo, 14th Soke, Hiding In The Clouds School
Gyukushin Ryu Ninpo, 21st Soke, Jeweled Heart School
Gikan Ryu Ninjutsu, 15th Soke, Truth Loyalty and Justice School
These schools incorporate spiritual, intelectual and physical elements for personal growth and development. Due to the combative nature of these schools competition are not a general practice, randori is an opportunity to evaluate your skills under pressure but no rewards are given. Just a few bruises and a chance to see your strengths and weaknesses with an opportunity to see what skills you may have learned. Not relying on any one way of thinking or moving are some of the reasons these schools have survived for 100s of years and are still relevant in todays turbulent world. These skill can be used for confidence, business, self restraint and patience. There are many benefits that come along with training. Learning to fight is a waste of time, One should learn to live and protect Justice and the innocent. Just learning to wrestle and punch creates ego and may make someone feel good in the short term and feed the ego. Feeding the heart and spirit has much longer lasting results.
Brief History of the Schools of the Bujinkan
Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu: Hidden Door School
What is now the Godan test in the Bujinkan also appears in the Togakure Ryu Makimono of the Tenmon Jimon in the section Happo Hiken. Some of the philosophy of this Ryu states " Violence is to be avoided, and Ninpo is Bujutsu." Use the sword to be peaceful, and protect Country, Family, and Nature. The techniques and skills of the Togakure Ryu were a major influence to the ninja schools in both the Iga and Koga regions of Japan. It is said that the techniques of the Kumogakure Ryu are almost identical to those of the Togakure Ryu. The three teachings of Togakure Ryu are: Senba shuriken, Shuko, and Shindake ( bamboo breathing tool ). These are known as Sanpo Hiden, the three secret ways. Founded in the 1100's.
Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu: Jeweled Tiger School
This schhol specializes in techniques that involve Kosshijutsu ( attacks against muscles ) and Shitojutsu ( use of the thumbs and fingers ). Typical of Gyokko Ryu are the powerful blocks and balance breaking. The preference is to block by hitting with the knuckles to the attachment points of muscles. The Kihon Happo comes from the first two levels of this school and are considered perhaps the foundation for all martial arts. Kosshijutsu means to knock down the enemy with one finger. Kosshi could also mean backbone, as if kosshijutsu is the backbone of martial arts. Gyokko Ryu has a rule that states, " Destroy the enemies power but leave his life." Founded in the 1100's.
Koto Ryu Koppojutsu: Tiger Knocking Down School
The name of this school means to knock down the tiger with the tips of the fingers. Kot Ryu has a unique form of swordsmanship where in the kamae and how the sword is held were deliberately altered versus traditional sword schools to give the opponent the impression they are facing an unskilled adversary. Koto Ryu is based upon Koppojutsu ( bone attacking blocks ). Directionall Koto Ryu techniques are straighter in, quicker, shorter and more direct to the point. Typical movement within the Koto Ryu is Yoko Aruki ( sideways cross stepping ) and stomping of feet and toes. It is said to always make the eyes appear blank. " The eyes are everything. " Founded in the 1500's.
Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu: High Tree, Raised Heart School
Takagi Yoshin Ryu takes its techniques farther than those of Judo and Aikido. When the techniques are applied it is made as difficult as possible for the opponent to take ukemi. The opponent is thrown, locked, and controlled close to the body as if fighting in a closed space. You are training to use your opponents weight and momentum against him. In takagi Yoshin Ryu look at the eyes and use speed. Founded in the 1500's.
Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu & Jutaijutsu: Immovable Heart School
Shinden Fudo Ryu is broken into two halves, Dakentaijutsu and Jutaijutsu. A characteristic of this school can be found in its recognition as nayural style ( Shizen no Kamae ) as the only postureof defense. However, in reality a person imagines a posture of defense in his/her mind and places ones self on gaurd. The secret principle of Shinden Fudo Ryu is the principle of nature. Use the trees, rocks, and waters to make yourself strong, And observe nature. This school uses several weapons including, Yari ( spear ), Ono ( war axe ), O-Tsuchi ( war hammer), and Naginata ( pole arm with sword attached ). Hojojutsu is also taught in this school. It is used along side with taijutsu to help restrain the opponent. Founded in the 1100's.
Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu: Nine Demons School
Considered the main school that gives the Bujinkan its weapons training. The Hanbo, Sword, and bo techniques are taught to all students in the Bujinkan. This school uses many heavy bladed weapons that are rarely, if ever used by other forms of martial arts. Such as the Bisento, Kaginawa, Daisharin. During the life of the school it was employed by Japanese seamen to help protect them against pirates. This greatly influenced the schools techniques and weapons. Warriors of Kukishinden Ryu are said to have used the masts and riggings of ships during combat. It is also said that the Founder of Aikido studied with the Kuki family. Founded in the 1100's.
Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo: Hiding In The Clouds School
The taijutsu in Kumogakure Ryuis very similar to that of Togakere Ryu. One of the weapons of the school is the Kamayari ( hooked spear ). This was originally designed for climbing up the sides of ships, it was also used against swordsman to maintain distance and disarm.Another specialty of this school is the Demon Mask sometimes worn by the members of the school. The idea of the mask may have given rise to the use of Kikakuken ( Demon Horn Strike ) head butt which is not commonly used in Japanese fighting systems. The ninja of this School wore armored sleeves to help protect them in combat as well as for attacking. A taijutsu specialty of this school is that the Kumogakure Ryu Ninja jump while fighting. Founded in the 1500's.
Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu: Truth Loyalty and Justice School
This Ryu contains many special kicks, punches, and throws. One of the special teachings of this school is " From this side comes not the first strike. " The footwork in Gikan Ryu is used widely within the Bujinkan. There are no Densho for the Gikan Ryu. The whole range of Kata for this school are taught arally. Founded in the 1500's.
Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo: Jeweled Heart School
It is not totally clear in the west as to what the fighting techniques of the Gyokushin Ryu are. All that is really known for the most part is that this school concentrated more on the espionage side of ninjutsu, rather than on the fighting side. Gyokushin Ryu is known for its superior use of the Naganawa, ( a lasso ) It is understandable in this day of modern international conflict why Hatsumi Sensei may not teach the principles of this school openly. Founded in the 1100"s.