The Bujinkan Dojo is a new martial arts organization, having been established by Hatsumi Soke (Founder) in the last 30 years. The literal translation of Bujinkan is “Hall of the Divine Warrior.” Hatsumi Soke gave his organization this name to honour his teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu, the first person to receive the title Soke in all of the nine Ryu of which the Bujinkan is composed and which have histories dating from the eighth century onwards. The teachings of these schools have been handed down in direct teacher/disciple relationships throughout a lineage of some two hundred and one Soke and thousands of warriors under their tutelage.
Bujutsu is a classical martial arts system, pre 1600’s, whilst Ninjutsu is a section within Bujutsu. To think of Ninjustu as a system outside of Bujutsu would be wrong, as would thinking of the Bujinkan Dojo 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 seperates the Bujinkan from other forms of martial training, such as Karate, Judo, Kendo, Aikido, etc., is the fact that the techniques studied today are the same as those formed on the Japanese battlefields in 1603. During the 250 years of peace that followed, as their skills were no longer needed, the warrior class began to undertake more humanitarian pursuits. The skills developed during that time of peace held perfection of character more important that actual combative effectiveness.
Butwith the Bujinkan, effective combat was still kept as top priority. The techniques then are the same as now - they have not been diluted to make them safer. All techniques are studied for real life situations. When training, the instructor will usually demonstrate a basic technique. Following that the class will usually partner up (each taking turns at being the uke (the receiver). When this basic technique has been practiced by the class, the instructor will usually go on to demonstrate many different henka (variations) of this basic technique.
The reasoning behind this as I have already explained is that the Bujinkan is for real life. With this training a student will learn to instantly create a technique from nothing, should they need to. Real life situations very rarely play themselves out as a kata performed 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.
