About the Bujinkan Martial Arts
Bujinkan Dōjō Budō Taijutsu is a Japanese martial art drawing elements of nine ancient schools of classical Japanese martial arts together into a single study.
This system was created by the current Sokē (inheritor) of these schools, Masaaki Hatsumi Sensei. The schools taught under the banner of the Bujinkan Dōjō are:
- Togakure Ryū Ninpō
- Kotō Ryū Koppōjutsu
- Gyokko Ryū Koshijutsu
- Kukishinden Happō Biken
- Takagi Yōshin Ryū Jūtaijutsu
- Kumogakure Ryū Ninpō Happō Biken
- Gyokushin Ryū Ninpō Happō Biken
- Shinden Fudo Ryū Dakentaijutsu
- Gikan Ryū Koppōjutsu
These arts are taught together as the martial art of Budō Taijutsu, but also separately as individual schools. Licenses (known as menjyō) are issued in Budō Taijutsu, and the modern curriculum includes multiple fighting skills drawn from battlefield proven medieval combat arts, such as punching, kicking, throwing, limb restraints, rolling and breakfalling.
Also studied are weapons including the long and short Japanese sword, long, medium and short staffs, flexible rope and chain weapons and throwing weapons.
All training is carried out in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, and with safety considerations constantly in mind. The teaching method includes basic movement drills designed to increase coordination and spatial awareness in new students, leading on to more advanced movement and the study of traditional kata, or prearranged techniques and henka, or variations, from the nine schools listed above.
