 |  |  | Bujinkan Newbury Dojo | Teaching Budo Taijutsu & Ninjutsu |
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The Bujinkan (武神館) is an international martial art organisation based in Japan, and headed by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi. It consists of nine ryu-ha (martial arts schools).
Togakure Ryu ninpo taijutsu - 戸隠流忍法体術
Gyokko Ryu kosshijutsu - 玉虎流骨指術
Kukishinden Ryu - 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 Ryu koppojutsu - 義鑑流骨法術
Gyokushin Ryu ninpo - 玉心流忍法
Kumogakure Ryu ninpo - 雲隠流忍法
Training
The training includes unarmed techniques (taijutsu), and armed techniques, including unarmed defense against weapons. The Bujinkan incorporates bikenjustu, bojustu, sojustsu, naginatajutsu, tantojutsu, tessenjutsu, juttejutsu, kusarigama, the use of modern firearms and more. Much of the basic taijutsu taught to beginers comes from six primary ryu-ha in the Bujinkan, namely Koto Ryu, Gyokko Ryu, Shinden Fudo Ryu, Takagi Yoshin Ryu, Kukishinden Ryu, and Togakure Ryu.
A large variety of weapons are taught, including swords such as daito, katana, ninjato, wakizashi, and tanto using bamboo shinai, bokken, and other safe training wooden and plastic weapons. Staves are taught from six foot bo staff, 4 foot jo staff, 3 foot hanbo, and various kubotan sized weapons. Rope and chain weapons including kusarigama, kusarifundo, kyoketsu shoge, and kaginawa. Weapons also include tessen, jutte, kunai, and shuriken.
Bujinkan budo taijutsu and ninjutsu practice does not normally include practice in competitions or contests, some dojo's do practice randori (free practice) which is like sparring but with more control, and under set conditions. The Bujinkan is mostly known for teaching kosshijutsu, koppojustu, jutaijutsu, dakentaijutsu, happo bikenjutsu and ninpo.
Grades
The Bujinkan Dojo has a series of nine kyu grades below the level of shodan, starting with mukyu (no grade) and then kukyu (9th kyu) to ikkyu (1st kyu), with 9th kyu being the lowest rank, and 1st kyu the higher. Students of mukyu grade wear a white belt, between 9th and 1st kyu the men wear a green belt, the women a red belt. From shodan (1st dan) upwards a black belt is worn.
There were originaly 9 dan levels, but this was changed to 10, and then the 10th dan was further expanded to five levels, giving a possible 15 dan grades, or 10th dan at the fifth level. The five judan (10th dan) grades are defined by the Japanese system of the godai - chi (earth), sui (water), ka (fire), fu (wind), ku (void).
The practioners level is also displayed by the wappen (Bujinkan badge) inscribed with the kanji 'bu' - 武 and 'jin' - 神. There are four kinds of wappen, kyu grades, 1st to 4th dan, 5th to 9th dan, 10th dan to 15th dan. This is sometimes augmented with stars around the badge to mark the individuals progress within those areas.
At 4th dan (yondan) practitioners submit to the sakki test, which is performed by Soke Hatsumi or a 15th dan Shihan. This is to establish the individuals ability to sense unseen danger, and evade it. If passed the individual recieves there 5th dan (godan) grade and can apply for their shidoshi (instructor) license. From 1st dan to 4th dan may become a shidshi-ho (under instructor) so long as the have the support of a shidoshi or a judan (10th dan), who is referred to as shihan (master instructor).
In addition to this there is the menkyo kaiden, given to shihan that have learned all the techniques in a particular school.
Yearly Themes
Since 1988 Soke Hatsumi's teaching has focused on a particular theme each year. This typically means that a specific ryu-ha, or a certain set of techniques from specific ryu will be taught. Soke Hatsumi announces the years theme, or focus, each year at the Daikomyosai (end of year celebration).
2010 - Rokkon Shoujou 禄魂笑浄 and the weapon of focus is a Tachi
2009 - Sainou (ability/talent), Kokoro (heart), Utsuwa (capacity), rope & sword
2008 - Togakure Ryu ninpo taijutsu
2007 - Kukishinden Ryu
2006 - Shinden Fudo Ryu
2005 - Gyokko Ryu kosshijutsu (Bo & Tachi)
2004 - Daisho jutaijutsu (Roppo kuji no biken)
2003 - Juppo Sessho
2002 - Jutaijutsu (Takagi Yoshin Ryu)
2001 - Kosshijutsu (Gyokko Ryu)
2000 - Koppojutsu (Koto Ryu)
1999 - Kukishinden Ryu
1998 - Shinden Fudo Ryu
1997 - Jojutsu
1996 - Bokken
1995 - Naginata
1994 - Yari
1993 - Rokushakubojutsu
1992 - Taijutsu power
1991 - Sword & Jutte
1990 - Hanbo
1989 - Taijutsu & weapons
1988 - Taijutsu |
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| | Updated: 15.08.08 | | |
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