The Training

Due to the number of ryûha (schools) in the Bujinkan, there is a tremendous amount of things to learn—from techniques, combat principles and weapon-wielding to warfare strategy and tactics as well as warrior philosophy. Training in Bujinkan Budô Taijutsu—the collective term for our art comprised of said nine ryûha—consists of the following:

• Dakentaijutsu (striking—using fists, fingers, elbows, feet, knees, head and more)
• Jûtaijutsu (grappling—throwing, joint locks & breaks, takedowns etc.)
• Taihenjutsu (non-striking or grappling related body movement—rolling, leaping, break-falling etc.)
• Bukijutsu (weapons art/weapons technique)

The latter of the above five items can be placed in a category all by itself due to the rather extensive arsenal of weapons arts taught within the collective ryûha:

• Kenjutsu (swordsmanship)
• Bôjutsu (staff)
• Jôjutsu (medium-length staff)
• Hanbôjutsu short staff)
• Sôjutsu (spear)
• Shuriken jutsu (throwing blades)
• Kusarigama jutsu (sickle & chain)

And more.

The training also encompasses body conditioning (strengthening and hardening of fists, knuckles, fingers, feet, toes etc.) and the development of flexibility, along with some general strengthening and conditioning of the body.

For the more advanced students, various teachings of strategy & tactics along with several techniques and principles of concealment, infiltration & exfiltration, ambushing and much more is taught in association with the ryûha of shinobi no jutsu (ninjutsu) found within the Bujinkan. Among other higher-level teachings, certain spiritual practices (such as Kuji Goshinhô, the “Body Protection Method of the Nine Characters”) are also taught.

Training in Bujinkan Shinseikon Dôjô is warm, friendly and welcoming to all regardless of age (though one must be at least 18-years old to train), gender, social background or other. That having been said, the training is simultaneously serious and can be quite severe. As kobujutsu (old/classical Japanese martial arts—i.e., pre-Meiji Restauration) was for actual combat and war during those turbulent times in Japanese history, the training reflects that and therefore, techniques are typically fully executed—though with careful consideration to safety and the well-being of one’s training partner at all times, of course. Nevertheless, punches are thrown to hit, kicks are executed to land, throws, locks and strangulations are performed to carry out their intended purpose, and weapon attacks are aimed to reach their intended target. Without this level of realism, one would not learn correct timing, distancing or movement dynamics.