Bujinkan

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (武神館 武道武道体術) is the martial art which continues the tradition of nine schools of Soke (grand master 宗家) Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭), who has inherited his title for all nine schools from his teacher Toshitsugu Takamatsu (高松 寿嗣). Dr. Hatsumi has combined the teachings of all nine schools in one training programme, due to the practical time issue for someone to train in all nine schools individually, and named the school as Bujinkan, which means temple of the divine warrior, in honour of his teacher Tagamatsu Sensei. Bujinkan has been founded in early 1980s and its aim is to develop and enlight the human in harmony with the universe.

From these nine schools (ryu ha 流), the three first mentioned below happen to be the last remaining ninja schools, and therefore Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu many times is simply referred to as Ninjutsu. The nine schools are:

• 戸隠流忍法

  Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu

  School of the hidden gate — Founder: Daisuke Nishina (Togakure Daisuke in), 12th century

• 雲隠流忍法

  Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu

  School hidden in the clouds — Founder: Heinaizaemon Ienaga Iga, 16th century

• 玉心流忍法

  Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu

  School of the gemstone heart — Founder: Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi, 15th century

• 義鑑流骨法術

  Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu

  School of truth and justice — Founder: Uryu Hangan Gikanbo, 16th century

• 九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術

  Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hiking Jutsu

  School of the tradition of nine demons — Founder: Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru, 12th century

• 玉虎流骨指術

  Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu

  School of the gemstone tiger — Founder: Tozawa Hakuunsai, 12th century

• 虎倒流骨法術

  Koto Ryu Koppojutsu

  School of the defeated tiger — Founder: Sakagami Taro Kunisuge, 16th century

• 神伝不動流打拳体術

  Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu

  School of the immobile heart — Founder: Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru, 12th century

• 高木揚心流柔体術

  Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu

  School of the high tree and the exailed heart — Founder: Takagi Oriemon Shingenobu, 17th century

Today Bujinkan is a living combination of traditional and modern effectiveness. The infinity of the system requires the constant evolution of its members in both training and everyday life.