Bujinkan
Encyclopedia
The Bujinkan is an international martial arts
organization based in Japan
and headed by Masaaki Hatsumi
, it is best known for its association with ninjutsu
. The system taught by this group, called Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu, consists of nine separate martial arts traditions .
, and control of weather, to fighting techniques and fortification design).
The Bujinkan school claims that Takamatsu's grandfather was a samurai and a direct descendant of the founder of Gyokko Ryu (and that the Gikan-ryū was passed to Takamatsu through another source).
Other arts, such as Takagi Yoshin Ryu and Kukishinden Ryu were developed by members of samurai families. Today the Bujinkan claims to incorporate techniques from the 9 traditions overseen by Hatsumi and other sources.
In 1843 several of the Bujinkan ryūha were mentioned in the Kakutogi no Rekishi (“The History of Fighting Arts”). Although details of the ryūha were omitted, the publication states, "even though they are not mentioned in this particular periodical, there are several schools that are well-known for being ‘effective arts’ (jitsuryoku ha)." Among the schools listed in this section are Gyokko Ryū, Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu, Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō, Kukishin Ryu
, Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu and Asayama Ichiden-ryū
(which is not part of the Bujinkan’s nine schools but was studied by Hatsumi via Takashi Ueno).
From 1968 and onwards, the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
has entries bearing the name of Hatsumi below his teacher Takamatsu for the following school entries: Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu, Kukishinden Ryu, Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu, Shinden Fudō-ryū Dakentai jutsu, Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu, Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu, Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō and Kumogakure-ryū Ninpō.
, or a certain set of techniques from specific ryū will be taught. Hatsumi announces the years theme, or focus, each year at the Daikomyosai.
Depending on what years a student has studied in Japan
, they may find that their focus reflects the themes or schools taught during their time. This is one reason that there are often noticeable differences in techniques from different teachers inside the Bujinkan. Although Ninpo Taijutsu is an overall theme of the Bujinkan, 2008 marked the first time that a Ninpo Taijutsu Ryū was the focus of the year. Prior to founding the Bujinkan organization and teaching the nine Ryū collectively (with particular yearly focus), Hatsumi awarded his students rank certificates in individual Ryū.
The themes thus far are:
No focus was announced for 2009, though Hatsumi talked about 3 things which are important for a martial artist, which may be loosely considered to be the yearly theme. He said that these things were going to become a bit of a theme for next year.
Soon after this theme as was announced, it was proposed by Hatsumi that the second aspect, Kokoro (Heart), be replaced by Tamashii (Soul). His reasoning was that the heart is in a constant state of change, whereas the soul is permanent and unchanging, and therefore is "essential to the person", as was later stated on George Ohashi's homepage .
The Bujinkan does not adhere to any guideline or set of rules to limit action or techniques during training, as such many of the staple responses of a student would be inappropriate in most competitions. Specifically however, the Bujinkan is mostly known for teaching koshi jutsu (joint manipulation art), koppo jutsu (bone manipulation art), jutai jutsu (throwing, grappling, ground fighting), dakentai jutsu (strikes), happo biken jutsu (various modern and traditional weapons), and ninpo tactics and strategies (Ninjutsu). The depth of training in the Bujinkan, is designed to open the eyes of the student to the endless possibilities and potential in all situations.
.
Uke continuously seeks to regain balance and cover vulnerabilities (e.g., an exposed side), while Tori uses position and timing to keep uke off-balance and vulnerable. In more advanced training, uke will sometimes apply to regain balance disable the Tori.
refers to the act of receiving a technique. Good ukemi involves a roll or breakfall that is used to avoid pain or injury, such as joint dislocations or throws. Thus learning to roll and break fall effectively is key to safely training in Taijutsu. Before receiving the 9th kyu, the first rank, a student must demonstrate the ability to smoothly roll in a variety of directions without exposing the neck to injury.
According to the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
, Masaaki Hatsumi
is the lineage holder of Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō. The Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
states that the Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō was transferred to Masaaki Hatsumi
in the middle of the 20th Century by his teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu. Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō is taught today in the Bujinkan
organization.
In 1843 Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō was mentioned in the Kakutogi no Rekishi (“The History of Fighting Arts”), p. 508-517. Although details of the ryūha was omitted, the publication states, “even though they are not mentioned in this particular periodical, there are several schools that are well-known for being ‘effective arts’ (jitsuryoku ha).” Among the schools listed in this section was Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō.
According to the Bujinkan
martial arts organization, Gyokushin-ryū was founded in the mid-16th century by Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi, who was also then-sōke
of Gyokko Ryu, which explains similarities between the two styles. Gyokushin-ryū is considered a style of koshijutsu. Masaaki Hatsumi
is the current and 21st sōke.
According to the Bujinkan
, Gyokushin Ryu has sutemi waza techniques, and is more focused on the art and techniques of espionage
, rather than fighting. Its most prominent weapon is the lasso (nagenawa).
members Ninja Jūhakkei, the eighteen disciplines (jūhakkei < jūhachi-kei) were first stated in the scrolls of Togakure-ryū , or "School of the Hidden Door", allegedly founded during the Oho period (1161-1162) by one Daisuke Nishina (Togakure), who learned a life view and techniques (ninjutsu) from Kagakure Doshi.
Togakure ryu Ninjutsu Hidensho is a manuscript in the possession of Masaaki Hatsumi
that is said to document Togakure-ryū. The document is the purported origin of the "18 skills of Ninjutsu", however there is some controversy regarding the lineage of this claim as evidenced by the Bugei Ryūha Daijiten
. This source indicates that Hatsumi's Togakure-ryu "genealogy refers to various written records and oral transmissions and there are many points/places where embellishments have been added and people appearing in the genealogy are also made older than they actually are"..
Ninja jūhakkei was often studied along with Bugei Jūhappan (the "18 samurai
fighting art skills"). Though some are used in the same way by both samurai and ninja, other techniques were used differently by the two groups.
The 18 disciplines are:
The name of the discipline of , literally means "body skill" or "body art". Historically, the word taijutsu is often in Japan used interchangeably with jujutsu
(as well as many other terms) to refer to a range of grappling
skills. The term is also used in the martial art of aikido
to distinguish the unarmed fighting techniques from other (e.g. stick fighting) techniques. In ninjutsu, especially since the emergence of the Ninja movie genre
it was used to avoid the explicitly referring to "ninja
" combat techniques.
(grades) below the level of shodan, starting with mukyu ("without grade") and then from kukyu (9 kyu) to ikkyu (1 kyu), with 9 kyu being the lowest rank and 1 kyu being the highest. Unlike other Japanese martial arts, such as karate
and judo
, unranked (mukyū) practitioners wear white belts, kyu grade practitioners, green belts, and those with ranks of shōdan and above wear black belts. In some dojos Kyū level practitioners - especially in children's classes - wear colored belts, though the actual color of the belt varies from place to place. In Japan
, it was once customary for kyu-level men to wear green belts over a black gi and women to wear red belts over a purple gi; however, this practice has largely been abandoned. Now, both male and female Bujinkan practitioners wear green belts at most Japanese dōjō. Outside of Japan, some countries still follow the green for men/red for women custom, while others use green for all practitioners.
The practitioner's level is displayed by the color of the art's emblem, called wappen (ワッペン), inscribed with the kanji "bu"(武) and "jin" (神). There are four kinds of wappen (9 to 1 kyū, 1 to 4 dan, 5 to 9 dan, and 10 to 15 dan) sometimes augmented with up to four silver, gold or white stars (called hoshi) above or around the emblem, representing the individual ranks.
At 4 dan (yondan), practitioners submit to a test before the sōke to establish that they are able to sense the presence of danger and evade it, considered to be a fundamental survival skill. This is called sakki. This is the test for 5 dan. A practitioner with the level of godan or above is entitled to apply for a teaching license (shidōshi menkyo). A shidōshi is entitled to open his own dōjō, and grade students up to the level of 4 dan. A practitioner with the level of between 1 dan to 4 dan may become a licensed "assistant teacher" (shidōshi-ho), if backed by and acting under the supervision of a shidōshi 5th to 9th dan or a person who holds the level of 10 dan (jūdan). In the Bujinkan a person who holds the level of between 8 dan and 15 dan is often referred to as a shihan
.
In addition to the kyū/dan system, a few practitioners have earned menkyo kaiden "licenses of complete transmission" in individual schools. These menkyo kaiden essentially establish that the master practitioner has learned all that there is to learn about the particular lineage. Whereas the kyū/dan ranks are often made public, those select practitioners who have earned menkyo kaiden rarely divulge their status, sometimes even being reluctant to recognize their actual dan ranking to outsiders.
The Bujinkan organization recognises black belts (Shodan level) granted to people who have studied only via home training video courses over an average period of 2 1/2 to 3 years. (Testing for the black belt requires the student be briefly present in a Bujinkan dojo. ) Video training courses are available to reach the rank of 5th dan black belt.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
organization based in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and headed by Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki, (born 2 December 1931) refers to himself (and is generally recognised) as the 34th Togakure-ryū ninpo Soke (Grandmaster), and is the founder of the Bujinkan Organization. He currently resides and teaches in the city of Noda,...
, it is best known for its association with ninjutsu
Ninjutsu
or may be:*the arts associated with espionage and assassination in feudal Japan, see Ninja*modern schools of martial arts claiming to be based in these traditions, see Modern Schools of Ninjutsu*fictional depictions, see Ninja in popular culture...
. The system taught by this group, called Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu, consists of nine separate martial arts traditions .
Origins
Hatsumi's claimed connection to Ninjutsu is through his teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu. The Bugei Ryuha Daijiten (researched by a friend of Takamatsu) indicates that Takamatsu's "genealogy includes embellishments...to appear older than it actually is". Other researchers believe that there is no historical basis for the claims that Takamatsu had any link to a ninjitsu lineage. It is Hatsumi's assertion that Toshitsugu was permitted to copy the Amatsu Tatara scrolls which date back to 7BC and contain many assorted techniques (ranging from killing by yellingKiai
is a Japanese term used in martial arts. There are numerous examples of the battle cry in other cultures: kiai is perhaps primarily a development of this. In the representation of Asian martial arts in cinema and in animated cartoons, Modern Kiai are often written by westerners in Romaji as...
, and control of weather, to fighting techniques and fortification design).
The Bujinkan school claims that Takamatsu's grandfather was a samurai and a direct descendant of the founder of Gyokko Ryu (and that the Gikan-ryū was passed to Takamatsu through another source).
Other arts, such as Takagi Yoshin Ryu and Kukishinden Ryu were developed by members of samurai families. Today the Bujinkan claims to incorporate techniques from the 9 traditions overseen by Hatsumi and other sources.
In 1843 several of the Bujinkan ryūha were mentioned in the Kakutogi no Rekishi (“The History of Fighting Arts”). Although details of the ryūha were omitted, the publication states, "even though they are not mentioned in this particular periodical, there are several schools that are well-known for being ‘effective arts’ (jitsuryoku ha)." Among the schools listed in this section are Gyokko Ryū, Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu, Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō, Kukishin Ryu
Kukishin Ryu
or Kukishinden Ryū, originally "Nine Gods Spirit School" is a Japanese martial art allegedly founded in the 14th century CE by Kuki Yakushimaru Ryūshin...
, Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu and Asayama Ichiden-ryū
Asayama Ichiden-ryu
is a Japanese koryū martial art founded in the late Muromachi period by .-Asayama Ichidensai Shigetatsu:There are often conflicting stories among Martial art schools that have many branches about who actually founded the school and how. In some cases this steams from Japanese Samurai being fond of...
(which is not part of the Bujinkan’s nine schools but was studied by Hatsumi via Takashi Ueno).
Formation of the Bujinkan Organization
The head of the Bujinkan organisation, Hatsumi, claims to be the lineage holder of several ryūha taught in the Bujinkan, which he claims were transferred to him in 1958 by his teacher Takamatsu.From 1968 and onwards, the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
The or "Encyclopedia of Martial art schools", originally Bugei Ryuha Jiten , is a catalog of Koryū Bujutsu and Gendai Budō of Japanese martial arts...
has entries bearing the name of Hatsumi below his teacher Takamatsu for the following school entries: Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu, Kukishinden Ryu, Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu, Shinden Fudō-ryū Dakentai jutsu, Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtai jutsu, Gikan-ryū Koppō jutsu, Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō and Kumogakure-ryū Ninpō.
Yearly themes
Since 1988 Hatsumi's teaching has focused on a particular theme each year. This typically means that a specific ryūRyu (school)
A Ryū , or ryūha , is a Japanese word referring to a school of thought in any discipline...
, or a certain set of techniques from specific ryū will be taught. Hatsumi announces the years theme, or focus, each year at the Daikomyosai.
Depending on what years a student has studied in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, they may find that their focus reflects the themes or schools taught during their time. This is one reason that there are often noticeable differences in techniques from different teachers inside the Bujinkan. Although Ninpo Taijutsu is an overall theme of the Bujinkan, 2008 marked the first time that a Ninpo Taijutsu Ryū was the focus of the year. Prior to founding the Bujinkan organization and teaching the nine Ryū collectively (with particular yearly focus), Hatsumi awarded his students rank certificates in individual Ryū.
The themes thus far are:
- Theme of 2011 - Kihon Happo
- Theme of 2010 - Rokkon Shoujou
- Theme of 2009 - Mu - No themeMu (negative)or Wu , is a word which has been translated variously as "not", "nothing", "without", "nothingness", "non existent", "non being", or evocatively simply as "no thing"...
/ Talent, Heart, Capacity / Talent, Soul, Capacity - Theme of 2008 - Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu
- Theme of 2007 - Kukishin Ryu
- Theme of 2006 - Shinden Fudo Ryu
- Theme of 2005 - Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu (Bo and Tachi)
- Theme of 2004 - Daishou Juutai jutsu (Roppo-Kuji-no Biken)
- Theme of 2003 - Juppo Sessho
- Theme of 2002 - Jutai jutsu (Takagi Yoshin Ryu)
- Theme of 2001 - Kosshi jutsu (Gyokko Ryu)
- Theme of 2000 - Koppo jutsu (Koto Ryu)
- Theme of 1999 - Kukishinden Ryu
- Theme of 1998 - Shinden Fudo Ryu
- Theme of 1997 - Jojutsu
- Theme of 1996 - Bokken
- Theme of 1995 - Naginata
- Theme of 1994 - Yari
- Theme of 1993 - Rokushakubojutsu
- Theme of 1992 - Taijutsu Power
- Theme of 1991 - Sword and Jutte
- Theme of 1990 - Hanbo
- Theme of 1989 - Taijutsu and Weapons
- Theme of 1988 - Taijutsu
No focus was announced for 2009, though Hatsumi talked about 3 things which are important for a martial artist, which may be loosely considered to be the yearly theme. He said that these things were going to become a bit of a theme for next year.
- Sainou (Ability/talent)
- Kokoro (Heart)
- Utsuwa (Capacity)
Soon after this theme as was announced, it was proposed by Hatsumi that the second aspect, Kokoro (Heart), be replaced by Tamashii (Soul). His reasoning was that the heart is in a constant state of change, whereas the soul is permanent and unchanging, and therefore is "essential to the person", as was later stated on George Ohashi's homepage .
Schools
The Bujinkan organization incorporates the teachings of nine martial arts lineages known as (ryūha):- Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術)
- Gyokko ryū Kosshi jutsu (玉虎流骨指術)
- Kuki Shinden Ryū Happō Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)
- Koto Ryū Koppō jutsu (虎倒流骨法術)
- Shinden Fudo Ryū Dakentai jutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術)
- Takagi Yoshin Ryū Jūtai jutsu (高木揚心流柔体術)
- Gikan Ryū Koppō jutsu (義鑑流骨法術)
- Gyokushin-ryū Ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法)
- Kumogakure Ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法)
Training
Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu practice doesn't include participation in competitions or contests, as the school's training aims to develop the skills to protect ones self and others, through the use of techniques which often focus on the disabling (breaking) of the attacker's limbs and which can also potentially cause their death.The Bujinkan does not adhere to any guideline or set of rules to limit action or techniques during training, as such many of the staple responses of a student would be inappropriate in most competitions. Specifically however, the Bujinkan is mostly known for teaching koshi jutsu (joint manipulation art), koppo jutsu (bone manipulation art), jutai jutsu (throwing, grappling, ground fighting), dakentai jutsu (strikes), happo biken jutsu (various modern and traditional weapons), and ninpo tactics and strategies (Ninjutsu). The depth of training in the Bujinkan, is designed to open the eyes of the student to the endless possibilities and potential in all situations.
Taijutsu
Taijutsu (body art, body arts, art of the body) is the system of unarmed defense. Throws holds, chokes, locks of the joints are all techniques of taijutsu. Taijutsu is divided into subsystems, daken-taijutsu or the way of attacking the bones and ju-taijutsu or the relaxed body method. Daken-tai jutsu utilizes and teaches strikes, kicks and blocks. Ju-taijutsu which utilizes and teaches grappling and throwing techniques. The first levels of training such as leaping, tumbling, proper fall techniques, body conditioning form the basis for taijutsu, these techniques are necessary in order to progress into other techniques such as the use of tools and weapons. Once learned Taijutsu techniques can be applied to any situation, armed or unarmed.Roles of the Uke and the Tori
Training is based primarily on two partners practicing pre-arranged forms (waza) and then advancing to unlimited variations of those forms ("Henka"). The basic pattern is for the receiver of the technique (uke) to initiate an attack against the person who applies the technique - the 取り toriTori (martial arts)
is a term used in Japanese martial arts to refer to the executor of a technique in partnered practice. The term "tori" comes from the verb , meaning "to take", "to pick up", or "to choose"....
.
Ukemi and Balance
Bujinkan Taijitsu seeks to use body movement and positioning over strength in order to defeat the opponent. All techniques in Bujinkan Taijutsu revolve around getting the opponent off balance while maintaining your own balance. This is achieved by moving the opponent perpendicular to his or her weak line, the imaginary line drawn between the opponents heels.Uke continuously seeks to regain balance and cover vulnerabilities (e.g., an exposed side), while Tori uses position and timing to keep uke off-balance and vulnerable. In more advanced training, uke will sometimes apply to regain balance disable the Tori.
refers to the act of receiving a technique. Good ukemi involves a roll or breakfall that is used to avoid pain or injury, such as joint dislocations or throws. Thus learning to roll and break fall effectively is key to safely training in Taijutsu. Before receiving the 9th kyu, the first rank, a student must demonstrate the ability to smoothly roll in a variety of directions without exposing the neck to injury.
Weapons
Weapons use is among the 18 disciplines taught in bujinkan: bō, jo, hanbo, yari, naginata, shuriken, kusarigama, kayaku (the use of firearms, gunpowder, explosives and pyrotechnics.)Physical conditioning
Junan taiso (junan meaning flexible) is a yogic method of stretching and breathing by which the Bujinkan practitioner may develop and maintain good physical condition and well being. The exercises promote relaxation, blood circulation, muscle toning, and flexibility and form a core part of all training sessions. Junan taiso is a form of conditioning and preparation for the body, all major joints are rotated and stretched in a proper manner while proper breathing and concentration are practiced.Self Protection
This martial art is largely based on combat, it is used to protect oneself from attack and not for competition purposes. Because of its nature, any of the techniques can result in permanent and major injuries or even death. Safety and care is always taken seriously during training sessions; when practicing techniques, one must be careful to not injure their Uke (practice partner).Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō
Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō ("The Jeweled Heart School") is taught within the Bujinkan martial arts organization.According to the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
The or "Encyclopedia of Martial art schools", originally Bugei Ryuha Jiten , is a catalog of Koryū Bujutsu and Gendai Budō of Japanese martial arts...
, Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki, (born 2 December 1931) refers to himself (and is generally recognised) as the 34th Togakure-ryū ninpo Soke (Grandmaster), and is the founder of the Bujinkan Organization. He currently resides and teaches in the city of Noda,...
is the lineage holder of Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō. The Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
The or "Encyclopedia of Martial art schools", originally Bugei Ryuha Jiten , is a catalog of Koryū Bujutsu and Gendai Budō of Japanese martial arts...
states that the Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō was transferred to Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki, (born 2 December 1931) refers to himself (and is generally recognised) as the 34th Togakure-ryū ninpo Soke (Grandmaster), and is the founder of the Bujinkan Organization. He currently resides and teaches in the city of Noda,...
in the middle of the 20th Century by his teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu. Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō is taught today in the Bujinkan
Bujinkan
The Bujinkan is an international martial arts organization based in Japan and headed by Masaaki Hatsumi, it is best known for its association with ninjutsu. The system taught by this group, called Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu, consists of nine separate martial arts traditions .-Origins:Hatsumi's...
organization.
In 1843 Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō was mentioned in the Kakutogi no Rekishi (“The History of Fighting Arts”), p. 508-517. Although details of the ryūha was omitted, the publication states, “even though they are not mentioned in this particular periodical, there are several schools that are well-known for being ‘effective arts’ (jitsuryoku ha).” Among the schools listed in this section was Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō.
According to the Bujinkan
Bujinkan
The Bujinkan is an international martial arts organization based in Japan and headed by Masaaki Hatsumi, it is best known for its association with ninjutsu. The system taught by this group, called Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu, consists of nine separate martial arts traditions .-Origins:Hatsumi's...
martial arts organization, Gyokushin-ryū was founded in the mid-16th century by Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi, who was also then-sōke
Soke
The word soke has several meanings:* Soke , an early Western jurisdictional concept.* Soke or eke is a Tongan stick dance, originating from Wallis and Futuna., a Japanese title meaning "head of the family," and is usually used to denote the headmaster of a school of Japanese martial arts.* Soke of...
of Gyokko Ryu, which explains similarities between the two styles. Gyokushin-ryū is considered a style of koshijutsu. Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki, (born 2 December 1931) refers to himself (and is generally recognised) as the 34th Togakure-ryū ninpo Soke (Grandmaster), and is the founder of the Bujinkan Organization. He currently resides and teaches in the city of Noda,...
is the current and 21st sōke.
According to the Bujinkan
Bujinkan
The Bujinkan is an international martial arts organization based in Japan and headed by Masaaki Hatsumi, it is best known for its association with ninjutsu. The system taught by this group, called Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu, consists of nine separate martial arts traditions .-Origins:Hatsumi's...
, Gyokushin Ryu has sutemi waza techniques, and is more focused on the art and techniques of espionage
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
, rather than fighting. Its most prominent weapon is the lasso (nagenawa).
Togakure-ryū
According to BujinkanBujinkan
The Bujinkan is an international martial arts organization based in Japan and headed by Masaaki Hatsumi, it is best known for its association with ninjutsu. The system taught by this group, called Bujinkan Budō Tai jutsu, consists of nine separate martial arts traditions .-Origins:Hatsumi's...
members Ninja Jūhakkei, the eighteen disciplines (jūhakkei < jūhachi-kei) were first stated in the scrolls of Togakure-ryū , or "School of the Hidden Door", allegedly founded during the Oho period (1161-1162) by one Daisuke Nishina (Togakure), who learned a life view and techniques (ninjutsu) from Kagakure Doshi.
Togakure ryu Ninjutsu Hidensho is a manuscript in the possession of Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki, (born 2 December 1931) refers to himself (and is generally recognised) as the 34th Togakure-ryū ninpo Soke (Grandmaster), and is the founder of the Bujinkan Organization. He currently resides and teaches in the city of Noda,...
that is said to document Togakure-ryū. The document is the purported origin of the "18 skills of Ninjutsu", however there is some controversy regarding the lineage of this claim as evidenced by the Bugei Ryūha Daijiten
Bugei Ryuha Daijiten
The or "Encyclopedia of Martial art schools", originally Bugei Ryuha Jiten , is a catalog of Koryū Bujutsu and Gendai Budō of Japanese martial arts...
. This source indicates that Hatsumi's Togakure-ryu "genealogy refers to various written records and oral transmissions and there are many points/places where embellishments have been added and people appearing in the genealogy are also made older than they actually are"..
Ninja jūhakkei was often studied along with Bugei Jūhappan (the "18 samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
fighting art skills"). Though some are used in the same way by both samurai and ninja, other techniques were used differently by the two groups.
The 18 disciplines are:
- Seishinteki kyōyō (spiritual refinement)
- TaijutsuTaijutsuis a Japanese blanket term for any combat skill, technique or system of martial art using body movements that are described as an empty-hand combat skill or system. The term is commonly used when referring to a traditional Japanese martial art but has also been used in the naming of modern martial...
(unarmed combat) - KenjutsuKenjutsu, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
(swordSwordA sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
techniques) - BōjutsuBojutsu, translated from Japanese as "staff technique", is the martial art of using a staff weapon called bō which simply means "staff". Staffs are perhaps one of the earliest weapons used by humankind. They have been in use for thousands of years in Eastern Asia. Some techniques involve slashing,...
(stickStick fightingStick fighting is a generic term for martial arts which use simple long slender, blunt, hand-held, generally wooden 'sticks' for fighting such as a staff, cane, walking stick, baton or similar....
and staff techniques) - SōjutsuSojutsu, meaning "art of the spear" is the Japanese martial art of fighting with the Japanese .-Origins:Although the spear had a profound role in early Japanese mythology, where the islands of Japan themselves were said to be created by salt water dripping from the tip of a spear, as a weapon the first...
(spearSpearA spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head.The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as flint, obsidian, iron, steel or...
techniques) - NaginatajutsuNaginatajutsuis the Japanese martial art of wielding the . This is a weapon resembling the medieval European glaive. Most naginatajutsu practiced today is in a modernized form, a gendai budō, in which competitions also are held.-Debated origins:...
(naginataNaginataThe naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...
techniques) - KusarigamajutsuKusarigamajutsuis the art of using the Japanese weapon kusarigama.Kusarigamajutsu is featured in several separate martial arts such as Koga Ha Kurokawa Ryū Heiho Ninjutsu, Suio Ryū and Shintō Musō-ryū...
(kusarigamaKusarigamaThe is a traditional Japanese weapon that consists of a kama on a metal chain with a heavy iron weight at the end. The kusarigama is said to have developed during the Muromachi period...
techniques) - ShurikenjutsuShurikenjutsuis a general term describing the traditional Japanese martial arts of throwing shuriken, which are small, hand-held weapons used primarily by the shinobi in feudal Japan, such as metal spikes bō shuriken, circular plates of metal known as hira shuriken, and knives .Shurikenjutsu was usually taught...
(throwing weapons techniques) - KayakujutsuKayakujutsuis the use of firearms, gunpowder and explosives especially by Ninja.The history and mythology surrounding ninjutsu and kayakujutsu are similar to the history of chemistry and the mythology surrounding Alchemy...
(pyrotechnicsPyrotechnicsPyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound...
) - HensōjutsuHensojutsuwas a Japanese martial art skill involving disguise, impersonation, and infiltration.In some ninja clans it was known as the or, "seven ways of going" . A ninja had to appear either as a priest, samurai, merchant, craftsman, performer, puppeteer, or farmer...
(disguise and impersonation) - Shinobi-iriShinobi-iriare ninjutsu techniques for silent movement and climbing for covert infiltration....
(stealth and entering methods) - Bajutsu (horsemanshipEquestrianismEquestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
) - Sui-ren (water training)
- BōryakuBoryakuis one of the alleged 18 fundamental skills of the Togakure-ryū school of ninjutsu.Alongside more orthodox and mainstream measures, Bōryaku includes use of unorthodox strategies and tactics, as well as manipulation of politics and exploitation of other current events to assist in subtle influence...
(tactics) - ChōhōChoho, literally meaning "secret information" or "intelligence", is the art of espionage, and one of the alleged 18 fundamental skills of the Togakure-ryū school of ninjutsu....
(espionageEspionageEspionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
) - IntonjutsuIntonjutsuIntonjutsu is the ninja art of "disappearing" and has many walking and stealth techniques. It also comprises wilderness survival, field craft, and Shinobi-aruki ....
(escaping and concealment) - TenmonTenmonis the ninja art of understanding and using meteorology as a strategic weapon. It allowed ninja to foresee weather changes and to use them as an advantage. By knowing nature's changes, animal behaviour, or atmospheric signs, one could use rainy weather or a hot sunny period as strategic elements to...
(meteorologyMeteorologyMeteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
) - Chi-monChi-monis the Ninja discipline of geography....
(geographyGeographyGeography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
)
The name of the discipline of , literally means "body skill" or "body art". Historically, the word taijutsu is often in Japan used interchangeably with jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
(as well as many other terms) to refer to a range of grappling
Grappling
Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...
skills. The term is also used in the martial art of aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
to distinguish the unarmed fighting techniques from other (e.g. stick fighting) techniques. In ninjutsu, especially since the emergence of the Ninja movie genre
Ninja in popular culture
The ninja are common stock characters in both Japanese and international popular culture. The cultural references listed below are major instances separated into groups, such as novels, comic books, anime/manga, films, television shows, video games, and others.- Overview :Depictions of ninja range...
it was used to avoid the explicitly referring to "ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
" combat techniques.
Kyu levels
The Bujinkan Dōjō has a series of nine kyūKyu
is a Japanese term used in martial arts, chadō, ikebana, go, shogi such as Japanese traditional culture, and academic tests and in other similar activities to designate various grades or levels or class of proficiency or experience...
(grades) below the level of shodan, starting with mukyu ("without grade") and then from kukyu (9 kyu) to ikkyu (1 kyu), with 9 kyu being the lowest rank and 1 kyu being the highest. Unlike other Japanese martial arts, such as karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, unranked (mukyū) practitioners wear white belts, kyu grade practitioners, green belts, and those with ranks of shōdan and above wear black belts. In some dojos Kyū level practitioners - especially in children's classes - wear colored belts, though the actual color of the belt varies from place to place. In Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, it was once customary for kyu-level men to wear green belts over a black gi and women to wear red belts over a purple gi; however, this practice has largely been abandoned. Now, both male and female Bujinkan practitioners wear green belts at most Japanese dōjō. Outside of Japan, some countries still follow the green for men/red for women custom, while others use green for all practitioners.
Dan levels
There are fifteen dan grades in the Bujinkan although only ten are formally recognised. After attaining the rank of Judan (tenth Dan) the further five grades up to fifteenth dan consist of advanced study in individual schools or Ryu-ha. The study of Tenchijin Ryaku No Maki (The arts of Heaven Earth and Man) forms the foundations of 9th Kyu to Shodan (1st Dan) and comprises all the fundamental techniques required for advanced study after obtaining the Shodan rank. It was previously stated that Ten Ryaku No Maki, Chi Ryaku No Maki and Jin Ryaku No Maki are divided amongst the Dan grades but this was incorrect.The practitioner's level is displayed by the color of the art's emblem, called wappen (ワッペン), inscribed with the kanji "bu"(武) and "jin" (神). There are four kinds of wappen (9 to 1 kyū, 1 to 4 dan, 5 to 9 dan, and 10 to 15 dan) sometimes augmented with up to four silver, gold or white stars (called hoshi) above or around the emblem, representing the individual ranks.
At 4 dan (yondan), practitioners submit to a test before the sōke to establish that they are able to sense the presence of danger and evade it, considered to be a fundamental survival skill. This is called sakki. This is the test for 5 dan. A practitioner with the level of godan or above is entitled to apply for a teaching license (shidōshi menkyo). A shidōshi is entitled to open his own dōjō, and grade students up to the level of 4 dan. A practitioner with the level of between 1 dan to 4 dan may become a licensed "assistant teacher" (shidōshi-ho), if backed by and acting under the supervision of a shidōshi 5th to 9th dan or a person who holds the level of 10 dan (jūdan). In the Bujinkan a person who holds the level of between 8 dan and 15 dan is often referred to as a shihan
Shihan
- Title of "Master" is a Japanese Honorific Title, Expert License Certification used in Japanese martial arts for Master Level Instructors. The award of the Expert License Certification is if designated by the qualification by virtue of endorsement by the [A] Association of Chief Instructors or [B]...
.
In addition to the kyū/dan system, a few practitioners have earned menkyo kaiden "licenses of complete transmission" in individual schools. These menkyo kaiden essentially establish that the master practitioner has learned all that there is to learn about the particular lineage. Whereas the kyū/dan ranks are often made public, those select practitioners who have earned menkyo kaiden rarely divulge their status, sometimes even being reluctant to recognize their actual dan ranking to outsiders.
The Bujinkan organization recognises black belts (Shodan level) granted to people who have studied only via home training video courses over an average period of 2 1/2 to 3 years. (Testing for the black belt requires the student be briefly present in a Bujinkan dojo. ) Video training courses are available to reach the rank of 5th dan black belt.