Bujinkan

Bujinkan
(武神館)

Japanese kanji ideogram, BUJIN, as used in 'Bujinkan'. BUJIN roughly translates to Divine Warrior or Spiritual Soldier, whereas 'KAN' is used to mean 'palace or castle' - therefore Bujinkan can roughly be equated to Palace of the Divine Warrior. Japanese kanji ideogram, BUJIN, as used in 'Bujinkan'. BUJIN roughly translates to Divine Warrior or Spiritual Soldier, whereas 'KAN' is used to mean 'palace or castle' - therefore Bujinkan can roughly be equated to Palace of the Divine Warrior.
Date founded	c.1970
Founder	Masaaki Hatsumi (born December 2, 1931)
Current head	Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭)
Arts taught	Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu
Ancestor schools	• Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu • Kotō-ryū Koppō jutsu • Shinden fudō-ryū dakentai jutsu • Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu • Kukishinden Ryu • Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu • Togakure-ryū • Gyokushin-ryū ninpō • Kumogakure-ryū ninpō
Official website	http://www.bujinkan.com

The Bujinkan (武神館) is an international martial arts organization based in Japan and headed by Masaaki Hatsumi, it is best known for its association with ninjutsu. The system taught by this group, called Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu, consists of nine separate martial arts traditions .

History

The origins of some techniques studied in the Bujinkan are unclear.

Origins

The connection to Ninjutsu is through Hatsumi's teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu who was, among other things, permitted to copy the Amatsu Tatara scrolls . Takamatsu's grandfather was a samurai and a direct descedent of the founder of Gyokko Ryu (the Gikan-ryū was passed to Takamatsu through another source). Other arts, such as Takagi Yoshin Ryu and Kukishinden Ryu were developed by members of samurai families. Today the Bujinkan incorporates techniques from the 9 traditions overseen by Hatsumi and other sources.

In 1843 several of the Bujinkan ryūha were mentioned in the Kakutogi no Rekishi (“The History of Fighting Arts”). Although details of the ryūha were omitted, the publication states, "even though they are not mentioned in this particular periodical, there are several schools that are well-known for being ‘effective arts’ (jitsuryoku ha)." Among the schools listed in this section are Gyokko Ryū, Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu, Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō, Kukishin Ryu, Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu and Asayama Ichiden-ryū (which is not part of the Bujinkan’s nine schools but was studied by Hatsumi via Takashi Ueno).

Formation of the Bujinkan Organization

The head of the Bujinkan organisation, Hatsumi, is the lineage holder of several ryūha taught in the Bujinkan, transferred to him in 1958 by his teacher Takamatsu.

From 1968 and onwards, the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten has entries bearing the name of Hatsumi below his teacher Takamatsu for the following school entries: Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu, Kukishinden Ryu, Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu, Shinden Fudō-ryū Dakentai jutsu, Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu, Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu, Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō and Kumogakure-ryū Ninpō.

Yearly themes

Since 1988 Hatsumi's teaching has focused on a particular theme each year. This typically means that a specific ryū, or a certain set of techniques from specific ryū will be taught. Hatsumi announces the years theme, or focus, each year at the Daikomyosai.

Depending on what years a student has studied in Japan, they may find that their focus reflects the themes or schools taught during their time. This is one reason that there are often noticeable differences in techniques from different teachers inside the Bujinkan. Although Ninpo Taijutsu is an overall theme of the Bujinkan, 2008 marks the first time that a Ninpo Taijutsu Ryū was the focus of the year. However, prior to founding the Bujinkan organization and teaching the nine Ryū collectively (with particular yearly focus), Hatsumi awarded his students rank certificates in individual Ryū.

The themes thus far are:

• Theme of 2011 - Kihon Happo
• Theme of 2010 - Rokkon Shoujou
• Theme of 2009 - Mu - No theme
• Theme of 2008 - Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu
• Theme of 2007 - Kukishin Ryu
• Theme of 2006 - Shinden Fudo Ryu
• Theme of 2005 - Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu (Bo and Tachi)
• Theme of 2004 - Daishou Juutai jutsu (Roppo-Kuji-no Biken)
• Theme of 2003 - Juppo Sessho
• Theme of 2002 - Jutai jutsu (Takagi Yoshin Ryu)
• Theme of 2001 - Kosshi jutsu (Gyokko Ryu)
• Theme of 2000 - Koppo jutsu (Koto Ryu)
• Theme of 1999 - Kukishinden Ryu
• Theme of 1998 - Shinden Fudo Ryu
• Theme of 1997 - Jojutsu
• Theme of 1996 - Bokken
• Theme of 1995 - Naginata
• Theme of 1994 - Yari
• Theme of 1993 - Rokushakubojutsu
• Theme of 1992 - Taijutsu Power
• Theme of 1991 - Sword and Jutte
• Theme of 1990 - Hanbo
• Theme of 1989 - Taijutsu and Weapons
• Theme of 1988 - Taijutsu

No focus was announced for 2009, though Hatsumi talked about 3 things which are important for a martial artist, these 3 things may be thought of as a kind of Sanshin. He said that these things were going to become a bit of a theme for next year.

• Sainou (Ability/talent)
• Kokoro (Heart)
• Utsuwa (Capacity)

Soon after the theme as herein described was announced, it was proposed by Hatsumi that the second aspect, Kokoro (Heart), be replaced by Tamashii (Soul). His reasoning was that the heart is in a constant state of change, whereas the soul is permanent and unchanging, and therefore is "essential to the person", as was later stated on George Ohashi's homepage.

Schools

The Bujinkan organization incorporates the teachings of nine martial arts lineages known as (ryūha):

• Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術)
• Gyokko ryū Kosshi jutsu (玉虎流骨指術)
• Kuki Shinden Ryū Happō Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)
• Koto Ryū Koppō jutsu (虎倒流骨法術)
• Shinden Fudo Ryū Dakentai jutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術)
• Takagi Yoshin Ryū Jūtai jutsu (高木揚心流柔体術)
• Gikan Ryū Koppō jutsu (義鑑流骨法術)
• Gyokushin-ryū Ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法)
• Kumogakure Ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法)

Training

Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu practice doesn't include participation in competitions or contests, as the school's training aims to develop the skills to protect ones self and others, through the use of techniques which often focus on the disabling (breaking) of the attacker's limbs and which can also potentially cause their death.

The Bujinkan does not adhere to any guideline or set of rules to limit action or techniques during training, as such many of the staple responses of a student would be inappropriate in most competitions. Specifically however, the Bujinkan is mostly known for teaching koshi jutsu (joint manipulation art), koppo jutsu (bone manipulation art), jutai jutsu (throwing, grappling, ground fighting), dakentai jutsu (strikes), happo biken jutsu (various modern and traditional weapons), and ninpo tactics and strategies (Ninjutsu). The depth of training in the Bujinkan, is designed to open the eyes of the student to the endless possibilities and potential in all situations.

Taijutsu

Taijutsu (body art, body arts, art of the body) is the system of unarmed defense. Throws holds, chokes, locks of the joints are all techniques of taijutsu. Taijutsu is divided into subsystems, daken-taijutsu or the way of attacking the bones and ju-taijutsu or the relaxed body method. Daken-tai jutsu utilizes and teaches strikes, kicks and blocks. Ju-taijutsu which utilizes and teaches grappling and throwing techniques. The first levels of training such as leaping, tumbling, proper fall techniques, body conditioning form the basis for taijutsu, these techniques are necessary in order to progress into other techniques such as the use of tools and weapons. Once learned Taijutsu techniques can be applied to any situation, armed or unarmed.

Roles of the Uke and the Tori

Training is based primarily on two partners practicing pre-arranged forms (waza) and then advancing to unlimited variations of those forms ("Henka"). The basic pattern is for the receiver of the technique (uke) to initiate an attack against the person who applies the technique - the 取り tori.

Ukemi and Balance

Bujinkan Taijitsu seeks to use body movement and positioning over strength in order to defeat the opponent. All techniques in Bujinkan Taijutsu revolve around getting the opponent off balance while maintaining your own balance. This is achieved by moving the opponent perpendicular to his or her weak line, the imaginary line drawn between the opponents heels.

Uke continuously seeks to regain balance and cover vulnerabilities (e.g., an exposed side), while Tori uses position and timing to keep uke off-balance and vulnerable. In more advanced training, uke will sometimes apply reversal techniques (返し技, kaeshi-waza) to regain balance disable the Tori.

Ukemi (受身) refers to the act of receiving a technique. Good ukemi involves a roll or breakfall that is used to avoid pain or injury, such as joint dislocations or throws. Thus learning to roll and break fall effectively is key to safely training in Taijutsu. Before receiving the 9th kyu, the first rank, a student must demonstrate the ability to smoothly roll in a variety of directions without exposing the neck to injury.

Weapons

Weapons use is among the 18 disciplines taught in bujinkan: bō, jo, hanbo, yari, naginata, shuriken, kusarigama, kayaku (the use of firearms, gunpowder, explosives and pyrotechnics.)

Physical conditioning

Junan taiso (junan meaning flexible) is a yogic method of stretching and breathing by which the Bujinkan practitioner may develop and maintain good physical condition and well being. The exercises promote relaxation, blood circulation, muscle toning, and flexibility and form a core part of all training sessions. Junan taiso is a form of conditioning and preparation for the body, all major joints are rotated and stretched in a proper manner while proper breathing and concentration are practiced.

Self Protection

This martial art is largely based on combat, it is used to protect oneself from attack and not for competition purposes. Because of its nature, any of the techniques can result in permanent and major injuries or even death. Safety and care is always taken seriously during training sessions; when practicing techniques, one must be careful to not injure their Uke (practice partner).

Uniforms and Rankings

Kyu levels

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. Unlike other Japanese martial arts, such as karate and judo, unranked (mukyū) practitioners wear white belts, kyu grade practitioners, green belts, and those with ranks of shōdan and above wear black belts. In some dojos Kyū level practitioners - especially in children's classes - wear colored belts, though the actual color of the belt varies from place to place. In Japan, it was once customary for kyu-level men to wear green belts over a black gi and women to wear red belts over a purple gi; 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.

Dan levels

There are fifteen dan grades in the Bujinkan although only ten are formally recognised. After attaining the rank of Judan (tenth Dan) the further five grades up to fifteenth dan consist of advanced study in individual schools or Ryu-ha. The study of Tenchijin Ryaku No Maki (The arts of Heaven Earth and Man) forms the foundations of 9th Kyu to Shodan (1st Dan) and comprises all the fundamental techniques required for advanced study after obtaining the Shodan rank. It was previously stated that Ten Ryaku No Maki, Chi Ryaku No Maki and Jin Ryaku No Maki are divided amongst the Dan grades but this was incorrect.

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, gold or white 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 8 dan and 15 dan is often referred to as a shihan.

In addition to the kyū/dan system, a few practitioners have earned menkyo kaiden "licenses 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.

External links

• Bujinkan Official Site