Japan Licensed School & Team

WORDS OF WISDOM

1. Know the wisdom of patience during times of inactivity.

2. Choose the course of justice as the path for your life.

3. Do not allow your heart to be controlled by the demands of

desire. pleasure, or dependance.

4. Sorrow, pain, and resentment are natural qualities to be encountered in life.

Therefore, work to cultivate the enlightenment of the immovable spirit.

5. Hold in your heart the importance of family loyalty

and pursue the literary and warrior arts with balance and determination.

Shinryuken Masamitsu Toda

32nd Grandmaster of the Togakure Ryu

Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi:

34th Grandmaster of

Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu

The Bujinkan is a martial arts organization that was founded by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi of Japan. Hatsumi Sensei (as he is know by his students), is the inheritor of 9 distinct martial arts schools that have been passed down for centuries in a very traceable lineage.

The oldest of the nine schools, Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, is almost 1,000 years old. Hatsumi Sensei is the 34th inheritor of this oldest school.

Although North Americans commonly refer to him as a Grand Master, his true title is Soke, or roughly translated – father.

The 9 Bujinkan

Martial Schools

Over the centuries, the 9 distinct martial schools (known as ‘Ryu’ in Japanese) were passed down to inheritors who were often family members. The teachings of each school were kept alive in this manner. Over time, more than one school at a time was passed down to a new inheritor. In this manner, all of the schools that each originally had one leader each – eventually fell under the leadership of 5, 4, 3 and then 2 leaders among the 9 schools – until finally just one leader inherited for all of the nine schools.

The essence of each school still exists today, and although they have many commonalities in combat, weapons, psychology, and philosophy, they also each possess specialized areas of expertise that are unique to each school.

Fundamentals that span all of the schools are taught during the curriculum as one progresses up to the rank of Black Belt (Shodan). As one progresses into the higher ranks, individual schools are studied and mastered. The student ends up learning and mastering much of the 9 martial schools that span almost ten centuries of Ninja and Samurai survival. Indeed, one never stops learning or mastering the physical and mental techniques inherent in our system.

THE NINE MARTIAL SCHOOLS

OF THE BUJINKAN:

TOGAKURE RYU NINPO TAIJUTSU (戸隠流忍法体術)

GYOKKO RYU KOSSHIJUTSU (玉虎流骨指術)

KUKISHINDEN RYU BIKENJUTSU (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)

KOTO RYU KOPPOJUTSU (虎倒流骨法術)

SHINDEN FUDO RYU DAKENTAIJUTSU (神伝不動流打拳体術)

TAKAGI YOSHIN RYU JUTAIJUTSU (高木揚心流柔体術)

GIKAN-RYŪ KOPPOJUTSU (義鑑流骨法術)

GYOKUSHIN-RYU NINPO (玉心流忍法)

KUMOGAKURE-RYU NINPO (雲隠流忍法)

The International Bujinkan Dojos

& The Bujinkan Munro Dojo

Loosely translated, “Bujinkan” means: Martial Warrior Training House. The essence of each of the nine martial schools has been preserved under the umbrella of the Bujinkan organization, and all of the arts continue to be taught today by Hatsumi Sensei and his senior students, including Donald Munro.

The International Bujinkan Dojo has grown to be a worldwide organization, with licensed instructors and schools throughout all corners of the world. All Bujinkan instructors and schools must follow a rigid code of conduct, as well as continuing their own training and continuing to renew their memberships each year.

The Martial Arts University is a member of the Bujinkan, as are it’s instructors. Bujinkan Schools often carry the first or last name of their Founder or Chief Instructor. In the case of the Martial Arts University, the school is also known as the Bujinkan Munro Dojo.

Training With

Masaaki Hatsumi:

Hatsumi Sensei no longer conducts training outside of Japan. However, he does teach several times a week in and around the Tokyo area, and in his hometown of Noda.

He continues to train his personal students as well, and administers all of the 5th Degree Black Belt tests, as well as all rank promotions above 5th Dan. Each year, he and his senior students host Daikomysai at the Tokyo Budokan. This is an international gathering of instructors and students from all over the world, and it includes three days of training.

All Bujinkan instructors and schools must renew their membership with the Bujinkan Hombu (Headquarters) Dojo in Japan each year. Donald Munro and the Martial Arts University / Bujinkan Munro Dojos are renewed members of the Bujinkan Dojos of Japan.

Shinryuken Takamatsu Sensei:

33rd Grandmaster of

Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu

Takamatsu Sensei is often referred to by Hatsumi Sensei as “The last true living Ninja”. He was Hatsumi Sensei’s teacher and inherited all of the nine schools from his Grandfather, Shinryuken Masamitsu Toda – the 32nd Soke of the Togakure Ryu. Prior to his death at 85 years of age, he passed the leadership of all schools down to Hatsumi.

Hatsumi began training with Takamatsu in the 1950’s when he was 20 years old. Hatsumi traveled 15 hours almost every weekend for 15 years to study with him. Hatsumi said that when he first met Takamatsu he was frightened of him, and that he was a powerful and frightening teacher.

Takamatsu was a fierce competitor and a champion in the martial arts throughout Japan and China. He was also a mercenary and was feared by those who new him. There are several books available that chronicle his life.

The ‘Bujin’ Emblem worn by members of the International Bujinkan Dojos throughout the world.

The School Emblem worn by members of the Martial Arts University