Bujinkan Senki Dojo

                      Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi "The White Dragon"

 

Dr Masaaki Hatsumi established the Bujinkan in order to preserve the teachings and skills of these warrior traditions and for individuals to have a better understanding of the true meaning of  Japanese Martial Arts.

 

Masaaki Hatsumi was born in December 1931 in Noda city, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He grew up with an avid love of the martial arts and in his youth studied many martial art styles. Hatsumi began studying many popular Japanese martial arts from the age of seven and earned ranking in Karate, Aikido and Judo. 
While studying kobudo ("ancient weapons") with a renowned instructor Hatsumi learned about a teacher named Toshitsugu Takamatsu, of Kashiwabara City which is to the west of the Iga region of Japan. As a last hope of finding a teacher who could impart the essence of a true living warrior tradition, Hatsumi traveled across Honsho island to seek out the teacher he had searched for his whole life.

 

Cick here to see some interesting footage of Hatsumi Sensei training in Japan!

 

Takamatsu was well into his 60's when the two met. Hatsumi was only 26 years old . Full of confidence, Hatsumi had a match with the veteran battler and learned the true meaning of training.

In Hatsumi's own words: "The pain of his technique was different from any pain I had ever suffered before. I had only felt a cold, momentary pain, while with Takamatsu Sensei I was exposed to a hot, burning pain. It was as if something would explode, if my blood would be sucked up and I would die right away"

 Hatsumi asked Takamatsu Sensei if he could be his student. At that time, Takamatsu did not accept any new students, and yet, seeing something special in this young man he agreed to teach him.

 
Hatsumi closely trained under the supervision of Takamatsu Sensei for many years.

Takamatsu Toshitsugu passed away in his home in Nara. Before his death, Takamatsu had already decided that Hatsumi would be the heir to the last and oldest ninja tradition existing, the sole inheritor and "Soke" (Grandmaster) of the following 9 traditional warrior schools:

· Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, 34th Soke
· Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu, 28th Soke
· Kukishinden  Ryu Daken Happo Bikenjutsu, 28th Soke
· Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu, 26th Soke
· Gyokushin Ryu Ninjutsu, 21th Soke
· Koto Ryu Koppojutsu, 18th Soke
· Takagiyoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu, 17th Soke
· Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu, 15th Soke
· Kumogakure Ryu Ninjutsu, 14th Soke

Hatsumi is also a Nihonga (Japanese-style) painter and has had exhibitions in Noda, Ginza (Nagai Gallery), etc.

During his many years of training he has also supplied Martial Arts guidance for numerous films, (Ninja No-Mono) TV (Jiraiya, Ninja-boy-Fujimaru) & theater events. He has also trained many special forces, police and agencies from all over the world.