American Bujinkan Dojo

American Bujinkan Dojo^TM
The American Bujinkan Dojo International division of the International Bujinkan Dojo and Bushindo Martial Arts University is dedicated to helping you and others around the world more easily obtain quality Bujinkan Ninjutsu /Budo Taijutsu training and information. We are the One Stop Shop for Authentic Ninjutsu Information, no one offers more information to the general public than we do. In offering our students a direct lineage to Soke Masaaki Hatsumi in Japan we have become the premier official Hatsumi (Quest Co. Ltd) video distributor outside of Japan. We secured English subtitles on Soke's videos so that you can better understand what he is teaching. We also secured distributors for his Japanese and English book titles and hired translators of his Japanese books (both in and out of print). We established a structured step- by- step Ninjutsu learning and ranking system all the way to 9th dan for interested parties and we will continue our efforts to bring you the best information and training possible. 

The American Bujinkan Dojo^TM was created in 1985 by Shidoshi Shihan Richard J. Van Donk and was sanctioned by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi Soke of the International Hombu Dojo in Japan to help build unity and to spread the teachings of the nine traditions of Ninjutsu throughout the United States and abroad. Every licensed teacher in Ninjutsu must be certified by Grandmaster Hatsumi first as a Shidoshi-ho (junior licensed instructor under a Shidoshi) and then as a Shidoshi (fully licensed teacher of the warrior ways of Enlightnement-5th degree rank is required). We now have many affiliated dojos and Bujinkan friends (Buyu) all over the world. Many of our students are now Shidoshi and a few are at Judan (10th degree level). Please beware of instructors who cannot provide you with official licensing proof for themselves or if your personal ranking certification does not come from Japan with Grandmaster Hatsumi's seal on it. If it doesn't you are not officially the rank you think you are. This is your guarantee of the quality of teaching. We at the American Bujinkan Dojo^TM offer authentic Ninjutsu and Budo Taijutsu (as Soke Hatsumi now calls his martial art) training as practiced in Japan by Grandmaster Hatsumi of whom Shihan Van Donk is a personal student. We have compiled many training tools and unsurpassed learning materials to help you with your training progress. Also if you are traveling or moving to another area we have a network of friends in the Bujinkan we can direct you to for training. Our network of training friends is growing on a daily basis. Check out the training links and dojos that we have under our Bujinkan Dojo links page on this web site. 

Our mission is to train and to share with as many people as we are able, the art of Bujinkan Ninpo Taijutsu. Our only prerequisite for training is that the student possess respect for all life, an open heart, an open mind, and a strong desire to learn. Those that do not attempt to cultivate these attributes will not find happiness or success in our school. 

Students attending an American Bujinkan Dojo^TM class or seminar will find a helpful and harmonious family type atmosphere. There is no rivalry because our art is not taught competitively. It is taught and learned by people helping each other to grow in Body, Mind, and Spirit. Students are instructed to maintain the idea of harmony and non-aggression in their daily lives. You become what you think about and do. Again, balance is what we seek through creating a flexible body, free mind, and an open heart. Our studies reflect that all training is a reflection and journey of the self. We strive to become better human beings through all our actions including our Budo training. Shihan Van Donk says "To be a protector of peace you must be strong enough to defend peace and resolved enough to be peaceful even in times of challenge". 

The American Bujinkan Dojo^TM has developed a sound reputation in the Bujinkan organization as well as throughout the martial arts community. We have developed one of the finest methods available today, utilizing self empowerment and Life Change Technologies to enhance our members progress. To us it's not the rank you get to but what you personally become in the process. 

In keeping with our philosophy of fostering good relations between all martial schools, we willingly accept students from other Bujinkan schools and other martial disciplines as well to train with us in our school, come to camps or to purchase our study materials. Let us grow together as one family of friends.

Happy training!

Richard Van Donk, 15th dan

Linda Van Donk, 10th dan