Explaining The Bujinkan
The Bujinkan is a new martial arts organization established by Masaaki Hatsumi Soke, the Founder, in the last 30 years. Translated, Bujinkan means “Hall of the Divine Warrior.” Hatsumi Soke gave it this name to honour his teacher, Takamatsu Toshitsugu, was the first person to receive the title Soke in all of the nine Ryu of Bujinkan and which have histories dating from the eighth century. The teachings of these schools have been handed down in direct teacher/disciple relationships throughout a lineage of some two hundred and one Soke.
In brief, Bujutsu refers to the classical martial arts/systems (pre-1600’s), while Ninjutsu is a section within Bujutsu. To think of Ninjutsu as being something outside of Bujutsu is incorrect, as is thinking of the Bujinkan Dojo as teaching only Ninjutsu.
Masaaki Hatsumi received the teachings of the nine schools of the Bujinkan from Takamatsu Toshitsugu. Takamatsu Sensei received these teachings from three sources: Toda Shinryuken, Ishitani Matsutaro, and Mizuta Yoshitaro. A brief description of each school is essential to an understanding of the Bujinkan as a whole.
Unlike other forms of martial training such as Karate, Judo, Kendo, Taekwondo etc., those of the Bujinkan were formed as far back at 1603 on the battlefields of Japan by the Takugawa Shogunate. 250 years of peace followed these battles and as warriors found their skills were no longer required, they started following more humanitarian path. The arts founded during this time of peace held perfection of character more important that effective combat skills.
However in the Bujinkan, combat effectiveness was still held as the highest priority and it’s techniques were not diluted to comply to safety. The techniques in the Bujinkan are studied for real life situations – there is no tournament competition. Training is usually carried out with a partner. Each taking turns of the role of uke (the receiver). Once the instructor has demonstrated a basic technique, the students pair up and attempt the technique. The students will then be shown numerious variations (henka) of the basic technique.
It is this limitless world of variations that the student is expected to enter so that he can spontaneously create a technique from nothing should the need arise, as real-life situations rarely play themselves out as a kata shown in class.
In the Bujinkan it is stressed that you should train with a happy heart. Shortly before his death Takamatsu told Hatsumi sensei 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.
