What is Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu?

Bujinkan is an international martial arts organization based in Noda, Japan and headed by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th Sōke (Grandmaster). Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu refers to the nine traditional Ryūha (schools or martial arts lineages) Dr. Hatsumi inherited from Toshitsugu Takamatsu after his passing in 1972.

Founded in 1974, Bujinkan contains the knowledge of 3 Ninjutsu Schools, three Samurai Jutsu Schools, one Bone Doctors/Structure School, one Bodyguard School and one Pirate School, and has evolved and developed through the centuries, laying down fundamental movements as well as universal philosophies. The techniques, forms and movements have been transmitted from generation to generation via written scrolls for over 900 years, while the way to use them is passed verbally through an unbroken lineage of Grandmasters. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is the current Grandmaster of the 9 Ryū and the Sōke of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

Each Ryū could stand as a complete martial system on its own. Each of these methods share similarities, but have contextual differences related to when they evolved and what weapons and equipment people were using at that time. Within the training we examine rolling, breakfalling, striking, throwing, locking, balance taking, the use of and defence against weapons, multiple opponents, how to use your surroundings, etc. All in all, the Bujinkan promotes a comprehensive and holistic viewpoint on self protection revolving about the exploitation and use of distance, angles and timing to achieve desirable results. As the Bujinkan focuses on natural principles and biomechanics, it is applicable and useful to a huge range of people.

The teaching method used serves three purposes: providing a realistic self protection ability; ensuring that the ability taught is appropriate to the student's skill level; and developing an above-average sense of self awareness and self-control in the practitioner.

You can find more information on Bujinkan on Wikipedia.

Disclaimer

We don't participate in competitions or contests. Our approach focuses on gaining compliance through pain and potentially damaging techniques in order to survive dangerous situations. We have no official rules or guidelines to limit actions or techniques used. As a result many of the responses of a Bujinkan practitioner would be inappropriate in most competitions or contest. Our training mainly aims to develop the ability to protect oneself (and others) using techniques that focus on disabling an attacker and/or removing their desire or ability to continue posing a threat as efficiently as possible.

The 9 Schools

Togakure Ryū Ninjutsu
Founded in the late 1100 by Daisuke Nishina, Hatsumi Sensei is the 34th Grandmaster of this Ninjutsu Ryū.

Gyokko Ryū Kosshi Jutsu
Founded in the mid 1500 by Sakagami Taro Kunishige, Ishizuka Sensei is the 29th Grandmaster of this Ryū after receiving the title from Hatsumi Sensei in October 2019.

Shinden Fudō Ryū Daken Taijutsu
Founded in the beginning of 1100 by Izumo Kaja Yoshitero, Hatsumi Sensei is the 26th Grandmaster of this Ryū.

Kukishin Ryū Happō Hiken
Founded in the mid 1300 by Ryushin Yakushimaru, Hatsumi Sensei is the 28th Grandmaster of this Ryū.

Koto Ryū Koppō Jutsu
Founded in the mid 1500 by Sakagami Taro Kunishige, Hatsumi Sensei is the 19th Grandmaster of this Ryū.

Gyokushin Ryū Ninpō
Founded in the mid 1500 by Sasaki Goemon Teruyoshi, Hatsumi Sensei is the 24th Grandmaster of this Ninjutsu Ryū.

Kumogakure Ryū Ninpō
Founded in the mid 1500 by Iga Heinaizaemon No Jo Ienaga, Hatsumi Sensei is the 14th Grandmaster of this Ninjutsu Ryū.

Gikan Ryū Koppō Jutsu
Founded in the mid 1500 by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo, Hatsumi Sensei is the 18th Grandmaster of this Ryū.

Takagi Yōshin Ryū Ryū Jū Taijutsu
Founded in the beginning of 1600 by Takagi Oriuemon Shigenobu, Hatsumi Sensei is the 17th Grandmaster of this Ryū.