Hombu
Dojo Office Noda, Japan
Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, Ph.D
636 Noda st., Noda-Shi, Chiba-Ken Japan Y278
Phone: 04-7122-2020
Fax: 04-7123-6227
Note: All correspondence must be in Japanese!
Bujinkan Hombu Information Page (English version- Thank you
George Ohashi!):
www.Bujinkan.com
Bujinden Hombu Training
Hall
Noda city, Japan
Guidelines For Participation
In The Bujinkan
By Masaaki Hatsumi - Soke
-
The Bujinkan shall be open to only those
who agree with and uphold the guidelines of the Bujinkan
Dojo. Those not doing so shall not be allowed to join. Specifically:
Only those who have read and agreed with these guidelines
shall be allowed to participate.
-
Only those able to exercise true patience,
self-control, and dedication shall be allowed to participate.
A physician's examination report shall be required. Specifically,
individuals with mental illness, drug addiction, or mentally
instability shall be barred from joining. The necessity
of such a report concerns individuals who may present a
danger to others, for example, those with infectious diseases
or illnesses, individuals with clinically abnormal personalities
or physiology, and individuals lacking self-control.
-
Individuals with criminal records shall
be turned away. Trouble makers, those who commit crimes,
and those living in Japan who break domestic laws shall
be turned away.
-
Those not upholding the guidelines of the
Bujinkan, either as practitioners or as members of society,
by committing disgraceful or reproachable acts shall be
expelled. Until now, the Bujinkan was open to large numbers
of people who came to Japan. Among them, unfortunately,
were those committing violent drunken acts, the mentally
ill, and trouble makers who thought only of themselves and
failed to see how their actions might adversely affect others.
Through their actions, such people were discarding the traditional
righteous heart of the Bujinkan. From this day forward,
all such people shall be expelled.
-
Regarding accidents occurring during training
(both inside and outside the dojo), one should not cause
trouble to the Bujinkan. This is an extremely important
point. Those unwilling to take personal responsibility for
accidents occurring during Bujinkan training shall not be
admitted. Reiterating for clarity, the Bujinkan shall not
take responsibility for any accidents happening in the course
of training, regardless of the location.
-
All those joining the Bujinkan must get
an annual membership card. This card not only preserves
the honor of the Bujinkan members, it indicates you are
part of a larger whole--one whose members come together
with warrior hearts to better themselves through training
and friendship. It evinces the glory of warrior virtue,
and embodies both loyalty and brotherly love.
-
The tradition of the Bujinkan
recognizes nature and the universality of all human life,
and is aware of that which flows naturally between the two
parts:
A:"The secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the
foundations of peace.
B:To study is the path to the immovable heart (fudoshin)."
Recently, the Bujinkan has become truly international. Just
as there are various time zones, so exist various taboos
among the world's peoples and nations. We must respect each
other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must put the heart
of the warrior first, working together for self-improvement
and for the betterment of the Bujinkan. Those not upholding
the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out of the
Bujinkan.
Sealed by Masaaki Hatsumi - Soke
Other
Rules to Follow
Respect and common sense:
Due to the increasing numbers
of people attending training and visiting Japan recently, we
have been asked to clarify the guidelines for visiting Japan.
This is directed to those that visit Japan for training
on a regular basis, and those that are planning on visiting
Japan in the near future. The following points have
recently become a concern for many of the people who volunteer
their time and are responsible for various things here at the
Hombu and Ayase classes and need to be made very clear to avoid
miscommunication, or problems in the future.
While
Training in Japan
There is a very large constant
flow of visitors and practitioners from around the world to
the Hombu Dojo and Tokyo Budokan Ayase classes. Training in
Japan is definitely a unique experience and something that every
serious Ninjutsu practioner should do when they can.
- Bujinkan Membership is required to train-
Be up to date on your membership or pay it the very first
day to the person who is collecting dues for Soke Hatsumi's
classes or get one from us before you leave.
There have been increasing problems
with many things lately such as:
- Garbage in and around the Hombu and Ayase
Dojo's
- People taking photos or video without
permission
- Drinking and eating in the dojo at Ayase
Also please be aware of the following
rules and guidelines as provided by Shihans Doug Wilson and
George Osashi.:
If
you want to visit Soke's class
- Those who do not belong to the
Bujinkan cannot watch Soke's classes without permission.
If you need permission, please talk to Ohashi or
a Shihan at the Dojo beforehand.
- If you are a Bujinkan member, you can
watch the class. You don't have to pay for it.
- NO PHOTOS! NO VIDEO! We do not allow
you to take photos or videotape the class during the session
without previous permission by Soke (even if you are a Bujinkan
member) because we are learning Budo, not a sport.
- Please do not ask Soke for a conversation
or a photo unless you know him directly. Consult with a
Shihan, an administrator, or a local practitioner first
instead. They can help you to read the situation and/or
facilitate the interaction given Soke's busy schedule.
- Please learn to read the atmosphere and
use your best judgment given that atmosphere. Those who
cannot read the atmosphere often cause difficulty. Please
be careful.
- The Tokyo Budokan (Ayase) forbids eating
and drinking in the Dojo.
If
you want to place an order from the Hombu Office
1. Write the following on a sheet
of paper.
- Your name, rank, nationality
- A complete list of what you want (number
and unit prices)
- The date you are leaving Japan
- Your exact address in case the Hombu Office
has to mail the stuff to you later (enclosing a business
card is preferable).
2. Sign your name on an envelope
and put the sheet of paper and the correct money in the envelope.
3. Hand it to Ohashi or a Shihan at Soke's class.
4. Notes.
- Soke's assistants usually mail items
to the people who ordered them, however some of them return
as dead mail because the address is not correct. This is
a waste of time for both sides. Please write your
CORRECT addresses with READABLE letters. (It's
appreciated if printed.) And additionally, your e-mail addresses
or URLs might help the Hombu staff when you have such troubles.
- When you mail the Hombu Office, please
send the money (in Yen or as an "International Money
Order") and the list of what you want in the same envelope.
If the Hombu Office receives only one of the two, you will
not receive anything (or have to wait for a long time at
best). Please be careful about this because this kind of
problem happens very often. Needless to say, the money should
be exact.
- If you want QUEST DVDs/videos, please
buy them at/though bookstores, etc. (either online or offline).
The Hombu Office has stopped selling them.
When
you enter the Dojo
- Stack your shoes or line them up neatly
at the entrance. It would be appreciated if you put them
in your gear bags when the Dojo is crowded. (especially
at the Hombu Dojo)
- Stack your gear bags or stuff empty ones
inside each other. (Please leave a nice "trail"
for Soke to get into his changing room when you are at the
Hombu Dojo.)
- Do not bring your suitcase unless it is
really necessary.
- Bring a plastic shopping bag or two with
you everywhere for garbage.
ASK before doing things. You should be humble
and sensitive to the situation and be patient especially when
someone with obvious authority is asking you to stop or cease
something that is not allowed. Comments such as these are always
being done so at the request of Soke or someone very senior
in the Dojo. These comments are not coming at the requester's
own whim. There is NO excuse for arguments when such
a request is made.
Another important point that is being more and more overlooked
is the fact that Japan is a unique place. It
is not America, England or any other country. Therefore, people
need to be sensitive when visiting here. Garbage is treated
differently than any other country and basic rules are expected
to be followed with respect and consideration. This goes for
how you handle garbage at your Ryokan, Hotel etc. It should
be handled in the expected manner. Culture, rules and other
things you take for granted in your home country do not apply
in Japan or can even be considered rude or disrespectful in
Japan. There is NO excuse for continued misunderstanding in
this area. The reputation of the Bujinkan and its members
are at stake.
When people leave the Hombu
Dojo and toss their trash at the side of the road, for example,
it is Soke who gets the call from the angry neighbors. If Soke
apologizes and assures the neighbor that "It won't happen
again," it shouldn't happen again....
But inevitably (and sadly), it will.
Although the new trash incident
will be at the hands of a different visitor than the first incident,
that same neighbor will call Soke to complain once again. Such
repeated "incidents" are an embarrassment for Soke.
People do not normally think
that tossing an empty can could lead to Soke's early retirement.
But it could if we are not careful! If such incidents happen
too many times, the pressure that Soke feels from the neighbors
could eventually push him to no longer teach! And that would
be a tragedy for us all!
Next, members are now attending
training sessions with their families, children, friends and
colleagues. This generally requires permission by Soke or the
instructor when they are not Bujinkan members. It is the sole
responsibility of the member bringing someone to gain permission
for those people to watch training, take pictures, etc.
People who bring someone must
be respectful as well as take responsibility for those people
to understand the rules. Otherwise, no one will be allowed to
watch training or be present while training is taking place
unless they are a participating Bujinkan member. This statement
has been made on several occasions.
Most importantly, Shidoshi
are responsible for their students when they visit the Hombu
Dojo and should be aware of when they are visiting. Students
visiting will be representing their Shidoshi when they are here.
Please be aware that the names of the Shidoshi are often asked
when people are visiting in order to be clear on the person?fs
history or credibility. This is common sense in the world of
Budo. Especially, senior members of the Bujinkan have a growing
responsibility for their students' actions as well as upholding
the honor and respect of the Bujinkan.
The above are not merely rules
or guidelines for behavior. They play a key role in protecting
Soke, the Shihan, the Hombu Dojo, neighbors around the Hombu
Dojo as well as all training members. As students of a martial
art, it is vital that we consider things in this way.
*
The intention of this document
is not to hurt people's feelings. The intention is to lay forth
some rules that need to be followed with common sense and judgment.
We are asking everyone to be more sensitive to the situation
and therefore preserve the training experience for present and
future Bujinkan members. Above all, this is expected
and requested out of respect for our Soke and the Bujinkan.
Hope to see you all in Japan.
