The Bujinkan (武神館) is a martial arts organization practicing the art commonly referred to as Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu (武神館武道体術). The art is widely considered to be the last legitimate ninpo, or ninja, martial art, particularly because of the influence of Togakure ryu. It is headed by the Sōke of the school Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭). Masaaki Hatsumi is the claims to be the lineage holder of the nine ryūha^[1][2][3] (see ancestral schools) transferred to him in the middle of the 20th Century by his teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu. The legitimacy of this had been questioned however, and the Bujinkan was refused membership of the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai (the oldest koryu organization) and the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai ^[4] The Bujinkan is specifically known for its koshijutsu, koppojutsu, jutaijutsu, dakentaijutsu, and happo hikenjutsu in addition to its higher elements of ninpō and ninjutsu. Image File history File links Buj-logo. ... Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki, born December 2, 1931) is the founder and current head of the Bujinkan Dojo martial arts organization. ... is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Koto Ryu is a school of koppojutsu (bone striking, or bone breaking). ... Shinden Fudo Ryu is a school of dakentaijutsu and jutaijutsu/jujutsu. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Kukishin Ryu is a samurai school of jujutsu, Yoroi Kumiuchi (Grappling in Samurai armour), kenjutsu, bojutsu, sojutsu, naginatajutsu, juttejutsu, Bo-ryaku (Strategy), and Sui Ren in Ka Ren (Use of water and fire), bajutsu. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... The Togakure ryu is a ninjutsu ryuha that was founded, according to Bujinkan, about eight hundred years ago by Daisuke Nishina (Togakure), who learned shugendo practices as well as hakuun ryu ninjutsu from Kagakure Doshi. ... The Gyokushin-ryÅ« is one of the nine schools of martial arts belonging to the Bujinkan. ... The Kumogakure-ryÅ« is one of the nine schools of martial arts belonging to the Bujinkan. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Budo shuji, brushed by Kondo Katsuyuki, Menkyo Kaiden, Daito ryu Budō (武道:ぶどう) is a Japanese term describing martial arts. ... Sōke ) is a Japanese title that means headmaster (or sometimes translated as head of the family or even grand master, although the latter usage is a common Western misconception). ... Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki, born December 2, 1931) is the founder and current head of the Bujinkan Dojo martial arts organization. ... RyÅ« (流) is synonymous with school of a Japanese martial art. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Koshijutsu is the skill of attacks to muscle and nerve points Japanese martial arts. ... Koppôjutsu means attacks against bones in Japanese. ... Jutaijutsu is the martial art that use the strengh of the opponent to bring the situation at own usefullness. ... Dakentaijutsu (Japanese: 打拳体術) is the striking component of taijutsu in the Bujinkan. ... Ninjutsu ) sometimes used interchangeably with the term ninpō ), it is the martial arts practiced by the shinobi (also commonly known as the ninja). ...

Ryūha

The Bujinkan incorporates the teachings of nine koryū (old schools)^[5]: KoryÅ« (古流) is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. ...

• Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術)
• Gyokko-ryū Kosshijutsu (玉虎流骨指術)
• Kuki Shinden Happō Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)
• Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu (虎倒流骨法術)
• Shinden Fudō-ryū Dakentaijutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術)
• Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtaijutsu (高木揚心流柔体術)
• Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu (義鑑流骨法術)
• Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法)
• Kumogakure-ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法)

The Togakure ryu is a ninjutsu ryuha that was founded, according to Bujinkan, about eight hundred years ago by Daisuke Nishina (Togakure), who learned shugendo practices as well as hakuun ryu ninjutsu from Kagakure Doshi. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Taijutsu ), literally meaning body skill or body art, is a term for Japanese martial arts techniques that rely on a science of body movements. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Kukishin Ryu is a samurai school of jujutsu, Yoroi Kumiuchi (Grappling in Samurai armour), kenjutsu, bojutsu, sojutsu, naginatajutsu, juttejutsu, Bo-ryaku (Strategy), and Sui Ren in Ka Ren (Use of water and fire), bajutsu. ... Koto Ryu is a school of koppojutsu (bone striking, or bone breaking). ... Shinden Fudo Ryu is a school of dakentaijutsu and jutaijutsu/jujutsu. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... The Gyokushin-ryū is one of the nine schools of martial arts belonging to the Bujinkan. ... The Kumogakure-ryū is one of the nine schools of martial arts belonging to the Bujinkan. ...

Training

The training is generally referred to as taijutsu (body arts), and is composed of both armed and unarmed methods of fighting. Much of the basic taijutsu taught to beginners comes from six primary lineages in the Bujinkan compendium, namely Kotō-ryū, Gyokko-ryū, Shinden Fudō-ryū, Takagi Yōshin-ryū, Kuki Shinden-ryū, and Togakure-ryū. Taijutsu ), literally meaning body skill or body art, is a term for Japanese martial arts techniques that rely on a science of body movements. ...

A large variety of weapons are taught, including swords such as daitō, wakizashi and tantō, bamboo shinai, wooden bokken, mogito (a flexible aluminum replica sword that holds no edge), or swords made by soft modern materials are employed for safety such as fukuro shinai, staves of varying lengths (bō, jō), short staves called (hanbō, hanjō), nawa (rope), kusari-fundo (weighted chain), kusarigama (scythe with chain), yari (spear), kamayari (spear with curved scythe-like blades crossing the principal head), kagiyari (spear with 2 rearward hooks), bisento (known in Mandarin as 'kwandao'), kyoketsu shoge (similar to a kama except it has a dagger point and a rope of several feet attached to an iron ring), jutte (sword trapping truncheon), tessen (iron fan), naginata (Japanese glaive), kunai (a blunt digging tool), as well various form of shuriken including bo-shuriken and senban shuriken. In training, students are encouraged to always use any available weapons, including the enviroment. In some dojos, students will practice hiding training weapons in their ji or somewhere on the mat, and surprise their uke (training partner) during technique. In many other martial art styles, such an act may result in harsh punishment. However, the emphasis Bujinkan places on stealth and deception makes it a valuable exercise when practicing awareness. The word daitō refers to Japanese long swords. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Two Tantō tantō blade hidden in a fan-shaped mounting A Tantō (短刀) is a Japanese knife or dagger with a blade length of about 15 - 30 cm (6 - 12). There is a disputed saying about the tantō, wakizashi, and katana stating they are The Tantō differs from the others as... A Shinai made from bamboo A shinai (Japanese: ) is a practice weapon used primarily in kendo and is used as if it were a sword. ... A pair of bokken A bokken (, bok(u), wood, and ken, sword), is a wooden Japanese sword used for training, usually the size and shape of a katana, but sometimes shaped like other swords. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A jō ) is an approximately four-foot (1. ... The hanbō (半棒, lit. ... Nawa or Nawa District could refer to: Amphoe Na Wa, a district in Nakhon Phanom in Thailand. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Kusarigama at Iwakuni Castle Kusari-gama (Alt. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ... The kamayari (鎌槍, sickle spear) is similar to the jumonji yari. ... A Bisen-to is a kind of Japanese pole weapon (adopted from China, the mighty Kwan-do/Guan dao, from Kwan Gung/Guan Gong, the Chinese God of War) which greatly resembles a naginata. ... The Kyoketsu Shoge, which means to run about in the fields and mountains, is a double edged blade, with another blade attached at 90 degrees to it. ... Kamas. ... A jitte, or jutte (Japanese: 十手; the power of ten hands weapon), is a specialized weapon used by law enforcement officers in Edo period Japan. ... Tessen（鉄扇） (literally meaning iron fan) were constructed of either an actual folding fan with metal ribs or a non-folding solid bar of either iron or wood and shaped like a folded fan. ... A samurai wielding a naginata Naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. ... A kunai is an ancient kind of trowel, originated during the Tensho Era in Japan. ... Shuriken (手裏剣; lit: hand hidden blade) is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing an opponents arteries. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Shuriken. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Shuriken. ...

Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu practice does not include participation in competitions or contests.

Grade

The Bujinkan Dōjō has a series of nine kyū (grades) below the level of shodan, starting with mukyu ("without grade") and then from kukyu (9 kyu) to ikkyu (1 kyu), with 9 kyu being the lowest rank and 1 kyu being the highest. Just like in other Japanese martial arts, such as karate and judo, unranked (mukyū) practitioners wear white belts, and those with ranks of shōdan and above wear black belts. Kyū level practitioners wear colored belts, though the actual color of the belt varies from place to place. Furthermore, unlike other martial arts, the color has no relation to the actual kyu-level the practitioner holds. In Japan, it was once customary for kyu-level men to wear green belts and women to wear red belts; however, this practice has largely been abandoned. Now, both male and female Bujinkan practitioners wear green belts at most Japanese dōjō. Outside of Japan, some countries still follow the green for men/red for women custom, while others use green for all practitioners. Kyu (ç´š) is a Japanese term used in martial arts, chado, ikebana, go and in other similar activities to designate various degrees or levels of proficiency or experience. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... For other uses, see Karate (disambiguation). ... This article is about the martial art and sport. ...

There were originally 9 dan levels, as with many other martial arts using the kyū/dan system, but this was changed by Hatsumi to 10 and later, 15 dan levels. He then went on to joke that now with the mature age being 21, maybe he should raise it again. The grades are divided into three groupings; 1-5 dan Ten (Heaven), 6-10 dan Chi (Earth), 11-15 dan Jin (Man, in the sense of Humanity). The Jin levels are further divided into the five elements of the Godai; chi (earth), sui (water), ka (fire), fū (wind) and kū (void). It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Dan grade. ...

The practitioner's level is displayed by the color of the art's emblem, called wappen (ワッペン), inscribed with the kanji "bu"(武) and "jin" (神). There are four kinds of wappen (9 to 1 kyū, 1 to 4 dan, 5 to 9 dan, and 10 to 15 dan) sometimes augmented with up to four silver or gold stars (called hoshi) above or around the emblem, representing the individual ranks.

At 4 dan (yondan), practitioners submit to a test before the sōke to establish that they are able to sense the presence of danger and evade it, considered to be a fundamental survival skill. This is called sakki. This is the test for 5 dan. A practitioner with the level of godan or above is entitled to apply for a teaching license (shidōshi menkyo). A shidōshi is entitled to open his own dōjō, and grade students up to the level of 4 dan. A practitioner with the level of between 1 dan to 4 dan may become a licensed "assistant teacher" (shidōshi-ho), if backed by and acting under the supervision of a shidōshi 5th to 9th dan or a person who holds the level of 10 dan (jūdan). In the Bujinkan a person who holds the level of between 10 dan and 15 dan is often referred to as a shihan. Shihan is a Japanese title, often used in budo. ...

In addition to the kyū/dan system, a few practitioners have earned menkyo kaiden "licences of complete transmission" in individual schools. These menkyo kaiden essentially establish that the master practitioner has learned all that there is to learn about the particular lineage. Whereas the kyū/dan ranks are often made public, those select practitioners who have earned menkyo kaiden rarely divulge their status, sometimes even being reluctant to recognize their actual dan ranking to outsiders. Menkyo kaiden (免許皆伝:めんきょかいでん) is a Japanese term meaning license of total transmission. ...

References

External links

Official Bujinkan links:

• Bujinkan Hombu Dōjō
• George Ohashi Shihan - News from the Bujinkan honbu dojo
• Bujinkan Online Discussion Forum
• Bujinkan Hombu Dojo-A Local’s Perspective

Other links:

• Philosophy site for Bujinkan students
• A demonstration by the headmaster Hatsumi (Video, wmv format)
• Bujinkan Taka-Seigi Dojo offers webcast of Masaaki Hatsumi's current teaching from Japan.