Ninja, the mystical figure from ancient Japan , captures everyone's imagination today. He serves as the basis for children's figures in the form of, for example, a fighting turtle-ninja or 3 little ninja brothers in Hollywood children's films. Martial artists also look up to this fighting machine from the past with a certain awe and respect. As always, there is a difference between fiction and reality. The ninja was indeed very skilled in his martial arts , but he was also more than mere fighting machines , he was for example one with nature. Because of this he was able to lead his opponents astray , making him regarded as a magician.
Nurture one's heart with patience. Improve and encourage with endless perseverance and that is what a true ninja is - quote from Toshutsugu Takamatsu , 33rd soke of the Togakure Ryu.
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu contains the knowledge of the ninja and gives every martial artist the opportunity to train in a realistic manner in their martial art.Generally this martial art is also described as ninjutsu or ninpo , in other words the martial art of the ninja. Although this is also a correct general description, it should be noted that Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu consists of 9 schools, of which there are actually only 3 ninjustu-schools: Name
Name of the School | Translation | Type of School |
Togakure Ryu | The Hidden Door School | Ninpo Taijutsu |
Gyokko Ryu | The Jewel Tiger School | Kosshijutsu |
Kukishinden Ryu | The Nine Demons School | Happo Hikenjustu |
Koto Ryu | The Tiger Knocking Down School | Koppojutsu |
Shidenfudo Ryu | The Immoveable Heart School | Dakentai Jutsu / Jutaijutsu |
Takagi Yoshin Ryu | The High Tree, Raised Heart School | Jutaijutsu |
Gikan Ryu | School of Truth, Loyalty and Justice | Koppojutsu |
Gyokushin Ryu | The Jewel Heart School | Kosshijutsu / Iga Ryu Ninjutsu |
Kumogakure Ryu | The Hidden in the Clouds School | Ninpo |
Takamatsu Toshitsugu Sensei
Takamatsu was the teacher of Hatsumi Sensei.
Also known as Moko no Tora (the Mongolian tiger) and as the last true ninja.
Born on March 10, 1887 and died on April 2, 1972.
He began his martial art training with his grandfather Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu , 24° Soke of Shidenfudo Ryu
Dr Masaaki Hatsumi
Born in Noda on December 2, 1931.
After practicing multiple martial arts styles such as judo, karate, aikido, etc., Hatsumi came in contact with Takamatsu sensei at the age of 26. After 15 years of dedicated training, Takamatsu sensei passed on the grandmaster scrolls to Hatsumi. Thus, he not only became the 34th grandmaster of Togakure Ryu, but also became the grandmaster of the 8 other schools. In 1972 he then founded the Bujinkan Dojo and in time even opened the doors of ninjutsu to the West.