BUJINKAN TRAINING THEME FOR 2008
"Togakure Ryu"
"Hidden Door Tradition, Stealth Methods"
(Ninpo Taijutsu / Ninja Biken)
Soke Hatsumi just announced at the 2007 Daikomyosai that we would be studying the school of Togakure Ryu in 2008. A focus will be on
Tonsogata-the art of escaping, using the natural elements to hide and stealth concealment , Ninpo skills and Ninja Biken Sword,
Ninjatou, Semban shuriken, Shuko, a Kyoketsu-shoge, and a Kusari. This will be a fun year of training.
He mentioned that we will be returning to the roots of the Ninjutsu teachings. Please note that concealment of your weaknesses from yourself needs to be over come. Learn your balance and your inner nature this year.
He also said many times that this was going to be the year of the Jugodan. Now this can take on many meanings - one of which is the year of maturity for the Bujinkan. In Japan and others cultures the age of 15 (USA it is usually 16) is a year of passage from boy to young man. At age 15 your are still a little pure from world experience and yet eager to grow up and to explore the world as a young adult. The Bujinkan has reached the level of Jugodan. Be a role model example for others to follow just a someone who has a Judogan level rank in the Bujinkan should be.
Soke Hatsumi and I highly encourage everyone to build a strong Bujinkan community, speak only with good purpose about everyone (even if you do not understand their nature or follow the way that they approach the art), train with those that you can, make new friends at every chance, enjoy your training, and be the best you can be while enjoying the lessons learned.
See the Ninja Vault for more detailed information on Togakure Ryu.
The following Study materials may help you better understand this years theme.
TOGAKURE RYU NINPO TAIJUTSU Video by Soke Hatsumi
'To Hide Is The Defense' this video covers Metsubushi (Blinding powders)- how to make and use them and Tonsogata- the art of Escaping, using Stealth movement and using the natural elements to hide. Among techniques shown are using Shuko (Hand claws) vs. Swords, One arm grab defenses, What to do if grabbed from behind, Ukemi-gata used in combat form (Shinken-Gata) and lots of sword defenses against one, two, or even multiple attackers. Shuriken- demonstration of how to throw at one attacker or at many. Somersaults! Watch a demonstration of the Sakkijutsu-5th degree test. Exciting! Japanese narration by Soke Hatsumi with English Subtitles #SPA-5505 Save big!! Japan price $70 - Our Regular price $39.95 TOGAKURE NINPO TAIJUTSU Holiday Special $34.95
NINJA WEAPONS BASICS - VOL. 1 DVD
Aspects, Postures and Strikes of the Hanbo, Tanto, Kusari Fundo, Shuriken, Teppan, Rokushaku Bo, & Naginata. Weapons are fun to train with! The Ninja used many weapons, both traditional and exotic so we share with you some of both. We start with the most commonly known Ninja weapons and share with you what they are, how they are used, postures to hold them in, and how to strike with them. This tape is made for you to practice along with and learn the correct weapon postures by name and then how to strike with them. Here is your opportunity to learn the aspects, postures and striking methods of 7 popular Ninja weapons that are used in Bujinkan Ninjutsu training. Until now there was nowhere you could get all this information in one place, especially on one reference video. Taught by Shihan Van Donk and Linda Van Donk. 1 hour Item #AB 511 NINJA WEAPONS BASICS - VOL. 1
NINJA WEAPONS BASICS - VOL. 2 DVD
Aspects, Postures and Strikes of the Sword, Jutte, Shuko, KyoketsuShoge, Yari, Gun & Kunai. Weapons are fun to train with! The Ninja used many weapons, both traditional and exotic so we share with you some of both. We start with the most commonly known Ninja weapons and share with you what they are, how they are used, postures to hold them in, and how to strike with them. This tape is made for you to practice along with and learn the correct weapon postures by name and then how to strike with them. With Vol. 2 you can add another 7 of the more popular Ninja weapons to your training arsenal. Until now there was nowhere you could get all this information in one place especially on one reference video. Taught by Shihan Van Donk and Shidoshi Linda Van Donk. 1 hour Item #AB 512 $39.95
NINJA WEAPONS BASICS - VOL. 2
SENGOKU NINPO ZUKAN Book
Sengoku Period of Japan was when the weapons of Ninjutsu where used the most and their uses and history are explained in this book. This was one of Soke Hatsumi's first books (Green Book) published in 1978 and out of print for many years. Offered here is a Professional English translation with 107 typed pages interlaced with Japanese Kanji. Very, very interesting on the history of Togakure Ryu, obscure weapons and the warring states of Japan. No Photos. Great Book. (Price reflects translation costs) 109 pages #TR-103 $39.95
SENGOKU NINPO ZUKAN
HIDDEN WEAPONS and SHURIKEN TECHNIQUES DVD
Kakushi Buki Shurikenjutsu (Hidden Weapons Shuriken Techniques) In this DVD Soke Hatsumi has released rare footage on several ninjutsu hidden weapons such as the Shuko, Kyoketsu Shoge, Kusarifundo, Senban Shuriken, and many more exotic ones. Learning how to use the element of surprise in defense will take your training to a new level. Official release is July 20th, 2004 but we have in stock now. 50 minutes on region-free DVD.#SPD7009 Japan Price $59.95 our low price is $49.95
HIDDEN WEAPONS and SHURIKEN TECHNIQUES
BUJINKAN TRAINING THEME FOR 2007
"Kukishin Ryu (Bo, Ken and Taijutsu)"
Soke Hatsumi just announced at the Daikomyosai that we would be studying the school of Kukishin Ryu in 2007. We will carry on the study of using the sword (ken), adding Bojutsu, use in armour and dakentaijutsu wazas. Kukishinden dakentaijustu wazas will be studied in detail unarmed and armed, without armour and with armor and of course the henka and lessons contained within the waza itself. Be aware of your demons. Learn how to tame them and to use them in combat to win.
BUJINKAN
TRAINING THEME FOR 2006
"Nature" through the school of
Shinden
Fudo Ryu (Ken and Taijutsu)"
Soke
Hatsumi just announced that we would be studying "Nature" this year through the school of Shinden
Fudo Ryu. We will carry on the study of using the sword
(ken) in actual combat through
the understanding of the Shinden Fudo Ryu teachings
and wazas.
Our
IBDA
Sandan study Manual contains examples of all of the
Shinden Fudo Ryu wazas and aspects of this school. It
is not said whether the the daketaijutsu or the jutaijutsu
school will be focused on or both. The last year that
we studied this school was in 1998 so you will find the
1998
Daikomyosai dvd and the 1998
USA Tai Kai videos to be a help. And of course Soke
Hatsumi's Shinden
Fudo Ryu video shares some of the schools wazas. More
on this theme of nature later as the year develops and
Soke reveals his teachings.
Master
Van Donk (Judan Menkyo)- Japan 12/5/05
BUJINKAN
TRAINING THEME FOR 2005
"Gyokko-ryu Happo Biken, Bo and Ken"
It
is said that we will be training in the aspects of the
Rokushakubo And Sword in all their relationships together
with the taijutsu from Gyokko Ryu. Of course Soke Hatsumi
will bring his unique teachings to this training. The
understanding of how this works in armour will also be
a part of the training as it was so wonderfully presented
at the 2004 Daikomyosai. I am sure that refreshing yourself
with the Gyokko no bojutsu training that we did in 1993
(See 1993 Daikomyosai videos for great training) and the
2001 Budo No Fusi training (now on DVD) on Gyokko Ryu
will help you this year.
Practice using the BO against the sword that you just
learned this year and using the bo and the sword in your
training. We will update you with more information on
this theme as Soke begins the 2005 training.
Master
Van Donk - Japan 12/2/04
BUJINKAN
TRAINING THEME FOR 2004
Daishou
Jutaijutsu, Roppo Kuji
and
Budo no Kiso (budo fundamentals)
This is going to be FUN... Why? Cause I
love Sword training!
First of all Soke Hatsumi says everyone needs soft daisho
(long and short sword) and Kenjutsu Obi (Sword belt).
In the 2nd half of this year Soke is focusing on the training
of the Tachi - Longer battlefield sword. We are testing
several possible training swords and will offer them to
those who need them soon.
WHAT
IS DAISHO JUTAIJUTSU?
Well,
Daisho refers to using two swords, one long sword and
one shorter sword. We have done much training with daisho
in the past (especially in Japan).
Jutaijutsu basically means "Grappling methods"
that can contain of striking, as well as throwing techniques.
The jutaijustu fighting approach is to bring the uke to
the ground with the grappling, strike and/or to throw
them in such a way that the impact from the fall is done
in such a way that they cannot recover and they are damaged
more by the fall than by the strike itself. You take away
all their possibilities for recovery.
This
is different that in dakentaijutsu where the fighting
action is more to strike the opponent directly in ways
that are so damaging to them that they cannot continue
the fight whether it is because they hit and thrown or
more likely that they just fall down from the brutal striking.
Now that that is clear (hehehee), we have no real idea
on what Soke Hatsumi will come up with on HIS definition
of what doing Jutaijutsu with Daisho (two swords) will
mean. Now I could write an whole article on what I think
it might be but it probably wouldn't be that. So my advice
is train with two swords and play with the ideas a bit.
Soke has stressed that for his training you will need
soft padded daisho. That is a big clue that someone is
going to get hit and that there will be some interesting
training coming up.
WHAT
IS ROPPO KUJI?
Roppo
refers to the 6 ways to cut with a sword in this context.
You could say north, west, east, south and up and down
are the directions to cut. It can also mean the 5 elements
as in the Godai and san shin which is Air, Water, Fire,
Earth, and Void (space) PLUS one. The plus one is the
most important it is the 6th Ring (Musashi wrote about
the 5 rings). The 6th ring put forth by Soke Hatsumi has
been translated as Knowledge or Consciousness that permiates
the other 5 rings and without them they cannot exist.
Study this idea in your training this year. What is the
consicousness involved in your techinique and in your
life.
WHAT
IS BUDO NO KISO?
Budo
no Kiso means understanding budo fundamentals.
At the end of last years tai kai Soke mentioned to us
that this was also part of this years theme as there is
much more to be learned about the basic fundamentals of
Budo. We are all still trying to catch his basics. He
also said that Juppo Sesso (last years theme) continues
through all training.
I am expecting some reports from friends in Japan on this
years theme and when I get some more info I will pass
along what I can.
Also, I will be in Japan in April and will give my own
thoughts on the training when I get back or you are welcome
to join me for this Journey.
Until then....... I am practicing drawing and cutting
daily with an Iaido blade. And every other day I am practicing
drawing padded weapons as they come out of the obi (belt)
different. We are practicing daishosabaki and countering
various sword cuts from opponents and grappling in every
way we can think off. Do remember that your padded weapons
have a cutting edge so grabbing the blade is NOT smart
practice (even if it will seem to help you win). Most
of all have a good time while you are learning.
Happy Training,
Richard Van Donk, Judan*****
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