What is the Bujinkan?

The Bujinkan Dôjô, or the Training Hall of the Divine Warrior was founded by Masaaki Hatsumi some 30 some years ago based off the teachings from his teacher Torashigu Takamatsu. Hatsumi Sensei is world renown for his combat practical system. This Bujinkan is comprised of nine distinct Classical Japanese martial traditions (ko ryû). Three of there ryûha are categorized as Ninjutsu or Ninpo ryû, specializing in espionage, information gathering, geometry, tactics and etc. Rather than combative techniques. The other six ryûha are more conventional martial traditions. Today the training is more focused on the combative techniques rather than Ninjutsu. That is why Hatsumi Sôke prefers to call our art Budo Taijutsu, where he originally called it Ninpo Taijutsu.

Here is a very short introduction to each of the nine schools.

Gyokko ryû Kosshijutsu was founded in the mid 1100's by Tozawa Hakûnsai. The oldest ryû in Masaaki Hatsumi's Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu system. Most famous for the basics of the Bujinkan system:Kihon Happo, Sanshin no kata, and Muto dori Taihenjutsu.
Togakure ryû Ninpo Taijutsu was founded in the late 1100's by Daisuke Nishina. The second oldest ryû in the Bujinkan system. This school is famous for it's different Ninjutsu weapons such as the Shuko, Shinodake, Shuriken, etc.
Kukishinden Ryû Happo Biken was founded in the mid 1300’s by Izumo Kanja Yoshitero. School is most famous in Bujinkan for the many different weapon techniques. Hatsumi Soke at various Taikai and in Japan will teach this school thoroughly in 1999.
Shinden Fudo Ryû Daken Taijutsu was founded in the beginning of 1100 by Izumo Kaja Yoshitero. Most famous in Bujinkan for the rough daken taijutsu techniques. This school was the theme of 1998 and was taught at the Italian, Sweden, Japan Taikai and US.
Gyokushin Ryû Ninpo Taijutsu was founded in the mid 1500 by Sasaki Goemon Teruyoshi. Very little of this school have been taught to the western world. It is believed that this school was more into information gathering and planning than actual combat.
Koto Ryû Koppojutsu was founded in the mid 1500 by Sakagami Taro Kunishige. Most famous in Bujinkan for the Koppojutsu (unarmed grappling techniques that attack the body’s structure), and unusual Biken (sword) style of fighting.
Gikan Ryû Koppojutsu was founded in the mid 1500 by Uryû Hangan Gikanbo. Most famous in Bujinkan for the difficult and odd Kamae's in it's taijutsu. This school is also specialized in Koppojutsu.
Takagiyoshin Ryû Jutaijutsu was founded in the beginning of 1600 by Takagi Oriuemon Shigenobu. Most famous in Bujinkan as a "Bodyguard School" fast and effective Jujutsu techniques, and Daishosabaki (Jujutsu while wearing both swords in the belt).
Kumogakure Ryû Ninpo Taijutsu was founded in the mid 1500 by Iga Heinaizaemon No Jo Ienaga. Most famous in Bujinkan for the Kamayari, and jumping techniques.

Dojo Organization

In the Bujinkan all dojos world-wide are subordinate the Hombu(Head School) in Japan. All grading is sent off to Japan. We are all considered students of the Soke Hatsumi, which means anyone from the brand-new student to the seansoned Master teacher anyone can train in Japan with Dr. Hatsumi. Shidoshi(instructors) can give grading up to yondan (4th degree black belt). Dr. Hatsumiranks everyone above yondan.

Ranking

Unlike most martial arts today, who rank in belt colors, our dojo uses dans and kyûs The first rank a student receives is 9th Kyû. All following ranks increase downward to 1st Kyû. After that the rank increases upward from 1st dan to 10th dan. And with in the 10 Dan there are 5 levels, being the five elements. A student wears a green belt until they hit 1st Dan or Shodan (meaning the first step) where they exchange it for black. All ranks up to Fourth Dan are not based on tests but, by the teacher observing the student Most people have a misconception that being a black belt means mastery; it actually means that the student has just become a full licensed practitioner in the art. The Grandmaster then records the student's name in the Bujinkan annals. Then it is now time to start learning for real.

Testing

Martial arts especially those of the Bujinkan Dojo are a life long path. The longer you train under a proficient instructor the better you get. The instructor watches a student's movement daily, and based upon certain criteria will award the student with a higher rank when it is appropriate. In a sense the student is tested daily. This is also how ranking is done in Japan but teachers in other countries are given free license to do as they see fit. There is a 5th Dan test given by the Grandmaster, which makes a practitioner a full licensed teacher.

B.J.A.T. testing is done through Mark Hodel one of the most dynamic and recognized senior instructors (13th dan) in the Bujinkan. He was the Fifth American to achieve Godan level from Hatsumi. Traveling on Thursdays and Tuesdays with Joshua to Kenosha is the only way to train regularly with Mark Hodel.