Budo Taijutsu (Budo - martial arts, Taijutsu - body movement)

The Bujinkan Dojo is an amalgamation of nine schools of ancient martial arts, which were once the art of the samurai and the ninja. Although there are nine separate schools which all have their own techniques, Hatsumi Sensei's Budo Taijutsu is common to them all. The art of the Bujinkan Dojo is therefore known as "Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu".

Hatsumi Sensei has taught the following six schools widely throughout the world:

Koto Ryu Koppojutsu (Bone Breaking Art)
Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu (Organ and Muscle Striking Art)
Takagiyoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu (Grappling, Locking and Throwing Art)
Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu (Blocking and Striking Art)
Kukishinden Ryu Hikenjutsu (Secret Sword Art)
Togakure Ryu Ninpo (Ninjutsu)

In addition to the above, there are a relatively small number of people who have knowledge of Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu. The two remaining Ninja schools (Gyokushin Ryu & Kumogakure Ryu) as far as I am aware have not yet been taught by our Sõke.

 

Martial art of Distance

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is also referred to as "Martial Arts of Distance". This does not mean that we should consciously try to create distance, or fight from a distance; it simply means to use the correct distance. The more we practice our Taijutsu the better our distancing will become, if we have good Taijutsu, we will automatically have good distancing.

 

Ninpo Taijutsu

Many people refer to Budo Taijutsu as Ninpo Taijutsu or Ninjutsu. This is true to a point as three of the Bujinkan schools are Ninja schools. However, before we can start thinking of ourselves as Ninja, we must first build a strong foundation to work from. Training in our basic methods i.e. Taihenjutsu, Sanshin and Kihon Happo etc. provides us with the solid background that we need in order to become skilled in our art. It is essential that we have a good teacher and a good understanding of the basics; if we do not, we cannot progress to a high level. If we look at Togakure Ryu Ninpo for instance, in the old days there were many specific Ninja techniques that would have only been taught at the highest level. To become a ninja, one would first have to become skilled in Taijutsu. This would have probably meant a number of years training in Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu, and maybe Koto Ryu Koppojutsu before a student would have been taught the higher level techniques. In other words the Togakure Ryu system would have only been taught to highly skilled and competent martial artists.

Generally our training can grow on many levels; the more advanced we become the more we can understand this. Hatsumi Sensei often says that the forms are no good and we should throw them away. This does not literally mean we should throw them away and never return to them, he is simply reminding us not to become fixed in our ideas by practicing forms. When we break the form and reach a level of skill such that our opponent cannot see or counter our techniques, then this is Ninpo Taijutsu.

 

A Modern Approach

Due to Hatsumi Sensei's modern approach and personal views on Budo, our training (which involves little formality) is constantly evolving and adapting in line with the 21st Century. Although we are studying various schools of ancient martial arts, the primary aim is to provide realistic self-defence ability, increase practitioner's awareness of themselves and the surrounding environment, and develop greater self-control. (Martial arts should only be used for self-defence if there is no other choice)

 

Weapons

It is essential to have good Taijutsu when using weapons. Hatsumi Sensei often says, if you put a long weapon in someone's hands, you can instantly see how good their Taijutsu is. There are many traditional Japanese weapons used within the Bujinkan, the following are some of the most well known:

Tanto (Knife)
Naginata (Halberd)
Hanbo (3 ft. Staff)
Jo (4ft. 6in. Staff)
Bo (6 ft. Staff)
Ken (Sword)
Yari (Spear)
Shuko (Iron Claw)
Kunai (Digging Tool)
Jutte (Iron Truncheon)
Shuriken (Throwing Star or Blade)
Kusarifundo (Weighted Chain)
Tessen (Iron War Fan)
Hojo (Cord or Rope)

 

Grading System

The rank is indicated by a series of coloured belts, badges and stars worn with a black gi. There are a total of 10 Kyu grades and 15 Dan grades as follows : -

10th Kyu	White Belt
9th Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge
8th Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge with 1 Silver Stars
7th Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge with 2 Silver Stars
6th Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge with 3 Silver Stars
5th Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge with 4 Silver Stars
4th Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge with 1 Gold Star
3rd Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge with 2 Gold Stars
2nd Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge with 3 Gold Stars
1st Kyu	Green Belt & Kyu Grade Badge with 4 Gold Stars

N.B.  Girls wear a red belt instead of green and may wear a purple gi instead of black.

1st Dan	Black Belt & Dan Grade Badge
2nd Dan	Black Belt & Dan Grade Badge with 1 Silver Star
3rd Dan	Black Belt & Dan Grade Badge with 2 Silver Stars
4th Dan	Black Belt & Dan Grade Badge with 3 Silver Stars

5th Dan	Black Belt & Shidoshi Badge
6 th Dan	Black Belt & Shidoshi Badge with 1 Gold Star
7 th Dan	Black Belt & Shidoshi Badge with 2 Gold Stars
8 th Dan	Black Belt & Shidoshi Badge with 3 Gold Stars
9 th Dan	Black Belt & Shidoshi Badge with 4 Gold Stars

10th Dan	Black Belt & Judan Badge
11th Dan	Black Belt & Judan Badge with 1 Silver Star
12th Dan	Black Belt & Judan Badge with 2 Silver Stars
13th Dan	Black Belt & Judan Badge with 3 Silver Stars
14th Dan	Black Belt & Judan Badge with 4 Silver Stars
15th Dan	Black Belt & Judan Badge with 5 Silver Stars

The rules of the Bujinkan Dojo must be observed and obeyed at all times, those who break the rules will be asked to leave and reported to the Honbu Dojo