The Bujinkan

 

 

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The Bujinkan Dojo is a system of martial arts founded by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi of Nodashi Japan. This name was created by Soke Hatsumi to collectively represent the nine ryu-ha (schools) of martial arts contained within.  These lineages were passed down to Soke Hatsumi from his teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu Sensei, known by many as the actual last living ninja. The Bujinkan name can be defined many ways, one possible translation would be:

 

Bu 武 – Martial or military

Jin 神 – Spirit or heart

Kan 館 – House or Hall

Bujinkan – “Divine Warrior School”

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The nine schools that comprise the Bujinkan are as follows, with each one representing its own unique set of skills or application: 

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Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu 玉虎流骨指術

Koto Ryu Koppojutsu 虎倒流骨法術
Kukishin Ryu Happou Bikenjutsu 九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術
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
Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu 戸隠流忍法体術
Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu 義鑑流骨法術
Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo 玉心流忍法
Kumongakure Ryu Ninpo 雲隠流忍法

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Six of these are regarded as schools of samurai jujutsu and three are ninjutsu schools.

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Bujinkan Ranking System

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The ranking system is different from other arts in that there are only three belts:

 

White (Mukyu) meaning 'without rank' for beginners

Green (kyu) with nine levels 

Black (dan) with fifteen levels.

 

Within the Bujinkan you do not take a test to be awarded with the rank your skills are currently showing, but are given rank that must be grown into, like a child growing into new clothes. With this in mind, each new rank will constantly push the student to improve themselves and not become complacent.

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