Questions & Answers

Below are common questions about the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo & Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

What is the Bujinkan?
The Bujinkan (translated as "warrior spirit hall") is the platform Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, Soke (literally "head of the family", but commonly called 'Grandmaster'), teaches his martial art, Budo Taijutsu from. Dr. Hatsumi created the Bujinkan after his teacher, the late Takamatsu Sensei, died in 1972. Takamatsu Sensei was the Soke of nine ryu, or lineages, of which he taught to Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi over the course of 15 years. The nine ryu & approximate dates of their historical beginnings are:

It is the culmination of these nine ryu that Dr. Hatsumi uses as the basis for the Bujinkan. Three of the nine ryu are of ninpo decent (Togakure Ryu, Kumogakure Ryu & Gyokushin Ryu), making the history of the Bujinkan slightly more difficult to understand without proper historical interpretation by an authentic teacher.

Although students are taught multiple techniques from the nine ryu, Dr. Hatsumi teaches the culmination of these lineages as one martial arts body, of which he has titled Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Therefore, students of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo are tested & licensed in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, not the specific lineages. It is true that a few senior students of Dr. Hatsumi have been licensed in some of the specific ryu, but this is not very common today.

What are the instructor credentials of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo instructors?
The Dayton Bujinkan Dojo is a Shidoshi Kai (teacher's guild) affiliate as defined by the rules and regulations of the Bujinkan Hombu in Nodashi, Japan for schools that issue rank. Furthermore, instructors and staff members renew membership cards yearly every spring with the Bujinkan, a requirement dictated by the Hombu. These cards and shidoshi-kai menkyo are available for viewing at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo.

In addition, most senior instructors of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo visit Japan yearly for guidance and training from Hatsumi Soke and the Bujinkan Shihan. This information is then shared with the students of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo, which raises the level of training for all students.

What can I expect during a class?
Each class is approximately one hour long. The class starts with a bow-in procedure, then proceeds with five minutes of warm-ups, stretching, and rolling. Striking, body dynamics, and body alignment are then taught for the rest of the first half of class. The second half of class consists of taihenjutsu, dakentaijutsu and/or jutaijutsu (body work, striking & throwing) training. Each student works with a partner on the instruction given by the teacher. Each student practices the techniques or movements equally on both sides of their body. There is typically one to two breaks per class, to allow everyone a chance to get a drink of water, rest, or ask questions.

Each class ends with a bow-out procedure, thanking their classmates for help during the class. After class, all students are invited to stay for another half hour or so, to train on their own. Because Budo Taijutsu does not participate in competition-style training, most students find the noncompetitive atmosphere the best part of training. No one will ever force a student to do something they do not feel comfortable with. Many times a new student will find themselves working with an advanced practitioner of Budo Taijutsu. The concept of a family atmosphere is very important to the lead instructors of the dojo.

What kind of uniform do I wear when training?
The Dayton Bujinkan Dojo provides you with your own do-gi training uniform when you join the dojo. The uniform is very similar to a karate training gi. For the first four kyu ranks (9th kyu to 6th kyu), a white uniform is worn. From fifth kyu on, an optional black uniform may be worn. The separation in colors allows for junior and senior students to easily be distinguished. From a student's perspective, while wearing a white uniform they can rest assured that their senior training partner will work slowly and assist them with capturing the essence of the techniques in class. Once a student wears a black uniform, the student has moved on to middle rank status, and are more responsible for their ukemi (receiving or techniques) and comprehending the movements shown in class.

Some Bujinkan dojos wear black do-gi uniforms from the moment the new student begins training with them. Each Bujinkan dojo provides its level of instruction differently - all of which is permissible by the Bujinkan headquarters (hombu) in Japan.

How do I advance at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo?
The art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, as taught by the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo, is broken down into Kyu colored belt ranks and Dan black belt levels. There are nine Kyu ranks and four Dan levels a student can earn at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu has a total of ten Dan levels. Only Dr. Hatsumi can award beyond the fourth Dan level. A student who trains twice a week and practices basic exercises at home will typically advance through the Kyu ranks every three to four months. The Dan levels take much more time, usually 1-3 years per level, until Godan (5th Degree Blackbelt). Although advancement in the Bujinkan is a great goal for any student, it is more important to focus on the training itself, rather than worry about rank. By continuously training, and not dwelling on the reward of a belt, a student can excel toward self-discovery and reach a deeper understanding of Budo Taijutsu.

What makes The Dayton Bujinkan Dojo Martial Arts School different from other schools in the area?
First, the dojo is owned and run by Marty, Pam, David & Jeff who have full-time careers. Making money was not the idea behind running the dojo. They opened the dojo to continue training their family, friends and each other in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. (It's a great excuse to go to Japan, too!)

Second, the instructors of the dojo are dedicated to a family atmosphere. There is no tolerance for sports-like aggression, competition or performance in the dojo. All of the instructors have known each other for many years, making for a tight-knit staff interested in the well-being of dojo members. Finally, the dojo staff enjoys training. The "bug" you get once you have been training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for awhile is addictive. It makes you want to train harder, help others, and keep stretching yourself to be better than you are now.

I have a blackbelt (or other rank) in a different art, how will I be ranked in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu?
Rank in the Bujinkan is different than rank in other arts. Just as a blackbelt student in Judo would not be seen as a blackbelt student in Tae Kwon Do, new Bujinkan students with previous experiences in other martial arts are seen in the same light. Normally, students with training experiences outside Budo Taijutsu are asked to focus solely on Budo Taijutsu in class, in order to understand the principles that make up the Bujinkan (this is commonly called the "tupperware affect" - place what you know in a tupperware container, and store it for future use). At some time in the student's training, they will be asked revisit what they already know and determine how it can be balanced with the methods of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

What is a Shidoshi?
Shidoshi is a word that Hatsumi Sensei in Japan uses for his 5th Degree Blackbelt (godan)and above students. It means, "teachers of the warrior ways". It is unique to Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Technically, only a Shidoshi of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu can grade and promote students. The highest level a Shidoshi may grade students to is 4th Degree Blackbelt (yondan). Above yondan, only Hatsumi Sensei can grade.

A Shidoshi-ho is a student who is not yet a godan, or full-fledged shidoshi, but is able to grade & promote students up to one level under themselves. A student can earn a Shidoshi-ho at 1st Degree Blackbelt in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. At the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo, we award Shidoshi-ho to students who are nidan or above, and actively teaching.

What is a Bujinkan Judan? What does Happo Biken Menkyo mean?
A Bujinkan Judan is a student of Hatsumi Soke who has earned their tenth degree blackbelt in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. In order to earn this, the student must be a 9th dan and have three letters of recommendations from other Judan+ seniors. Without these recommendations, Soke will not issue the student their Judan.

Happo Biken Menkyo are certificates earned once a student becomes a Judan. There are five levels within Judan called:

• Chi-i Happo Biken Menkyo (commonly called ju-ichidan)
• Sui-i Happo Biken Menkyo (commonly called ju-nidan)
• Ka-i Happo Biken Menkyo (commonly called ju-sandan)
• Fu-i Happo Biken Menkyo (commonly called ju-yondan)
• Ku-i Happo Biken Menkyo (commonly called ju-godan)

Hatsumi Soke is quoted in his Sanmyaku newsletter saying this about students who are Judan or above:

"[...] Those who have achieved the Tenth Dan are expected to master the traditional techniques of the Shinden Happo Biken and seek enlightenment within divinely transmitted martial areas. [....] The Ten Dan rank is classified into the five world levels of Chi-Sui-Ka-Fu-Ku. These five world levels also represent the natural world, and show life within the theme of nature and humankind. [...] Put simply, one can see this as meaning Chi equals Shoden, Sui equals Chuden, Ka equals Okuden, Fu equals Menkyo, and Ku equals Kaiden."

Said another way, the ten blackbelts and five levels of Judan in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu represent the fifteen years that Masaaki Hatsumi, Bujinkan Soke, trained with his teacher Takamatsu Sensei. The rank represents the potential a student has in developing the spirit and heart that Hatsumi Soke sees as important in understanding Budo Taijutsu. As previously indicated, rank from 9th kyu through yondan are earned through a Shidoshi; rank from Godan and above are given by Soke based on his views or his senior shihan. Please ask a senior instructor for clarification.

If I start training in Budo Taijutsu at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo and had to move, would I be able to find another school that offers Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu?
There are over 2000 certified instructors of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu under Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi throughout the world. The Dayton Bujinkan Dojo will assist any student find another Budo Taijutsu Dojo if they were to move away.

Please e-mail the dojo with any other questions.