Masaaki Hatsumi
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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. He is currently residing and teaching in the city of Noda, Chiba in Japan.[1]. He is also a practitioner of mending bones. His predecessor was the last known active ninja in and during World War II.
Early years
Beginning in childhood, Masaaki Hatsumi studied many of the more popular martial arts, including judo, karate and western boxing.[citation needed] He began to question the legitimacy of modern martial arts training. It was after this time, while studying ancient Japanese weaponry, that he learned of a martial artist named Toshitsugu Takamatsu.
In 1957 he began making regular trips to train with his new teacher (who resided at the time in Kashiwabara, in Nara), taking a 15-hour train ride from his hometown of Noda in Chiba. This one-on-one training continued for 15 years until the passing of Toshitsugu Takamatsu in 1972.
Soke
From his teacher he inherited the position of sōke (headmaster) of 9 ryū (schools of martial arts)[2]
- 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)
Approach
Masaaki Hatsumi focuses the training of the Bujinkan on the "feeling" of technique, or perhaps more accurately, what he terms the feeling of real situations. While technical knowledge of an art is considered important, the direction of this feeling-based approach guides the practitioner towards a "natural understanding" of what links various martial lineages as well as what is most effective in real situations.[citation needed]
Media
He has also served as a martial arts advisor to various films and television productions, including the James Bond movie You Only Live Twice [3] and the highly popular Japanese movie Shinobi no Mono. Among the awards he has received are the 1999 Japan Culture Promoting Association's Grand Prize, the 2000 World Culture Grand Prize as well as being the first martial artist to receive an Apostolic Blessing from the Pope (2001).[4]
Notable students
Some of his more well-known senior students include:
East Asia
- Fumio Manaka 10th Dan, Founded the Jinenkan Dojo in 1996, Japan
- Shoto Tanemura 10th Dan, Founded Genbukan Dojo in 1984, Japan
Europe
- Peter King 15th Dan, UK
North America
- Jack Hoban 15th Dan, New Jersey
- Stephen K. Hayes 10th Dan, Ohio
Awards
- 2001 - Apostolic Blessing, the Vatican[4]
- 2001 - Lifetime Achievement Award, USMA International Hall of Fame[5]
References
- ^ Bujinkan Hombu Dojo Contact Information Bujinkan Hombu Dojo Website
- ^ Ninpo Wisdom for Life
- ^ IMDb Entry For Masaaki Hatsumi
- ^ a b Apostolic Blessing
- ^ USMA International Hall of Fame