Budo
These 9 schools of Bujinkan were first together in the lifetime of Toshitsugu Takamatsu, who then passed them on to Hatsumi Sensei.
These schools became available to westerners only in Hatsumi Sensei’s lifetime, and to Americans only as recently as the seventies. At that time there were very few students, all of whom traveled to Japan to receive teaching from Hatsumi Sensei. Today there are just over one thousand people worldwide who hold the rank of Shidoshi (5th dan and above), and are recognized instructors of the art.
The ninja history dates back for many centuries, as long as man operated in groups, there was a need for “behind the scene forces.” They would have developed a variety of arts using stones, sticks, vines and whatever nature provided. Legends say that the use of Shinobi (ninjas) was used as early as the 6th century.
The art of ninjutsu was also influenced by overseas. There are techniques, which were brought from China in the 7th century. Some of these we know today as Senban-nage (throwing of thin iron plates) and Hicho-jutsu (misunderstood to mean “leaping”, but actually meaning to neutralize an opponents technique). In addition, ninjutsu was influenced by spiritual practices such as different forms of meditation and also other philosophies such as Qimen Dunjia, divination related to Feng Shui. (Taken from “The Way of the Ninja”)
According to Hatsumi Soke in “The Way of the Ninja”, he says, The first step in Ninpo training is that of physical endurance. The important thing here is to polish your techniques, use your spirit, and endure physical forces until you reach a critical state where everything is on the line.
The second step is that of mental and emotional endurance. He further states that we have to understand harmony, and in understanding harmony, through understanding nature itself and our own nature we come to know that everything in the universe is connected, everything in nature, all the seasons, love and hate, good and evil-all are interconnected aspects of a fundamental unity.
The third step is the endurance of knowledge… [the student] can see clearly in all four directions, gaining in the same way a comprehensive, balanced understanding of nature’s cycles and that this perspective frees you from fear. While mental and emotional endurance can be an active process of setting your mind to endure, enduring knowledge goes beyond both physical and mental endurance to a level where you develop the power to understand everything without conscious thought. This means not just responding to things that have already happened, but sensing things that are about the happen and handling them naturally. In other words, enduring knowledge is connected with having a rich education, while also practicing endurance with respect to one’s own sixth sense and subconscious mind.
Essence of a Ninja
“Ninja aspire to merge their spirit and techniques into one, and become ‘uncommon’ common people. Some people did try to become ‘superhuman’ through their training in Ninpo, but they did not achieve great success as Ninja. It is quite easy to become a superman; Ninjutsu makes one more aware of just how difficult it is to become a ‘normal’ human being.”
Everything in quotes is from “The Way of the Ninja” by Masaaki Hatsumi, 2004, Kodansha Int’l
Gambatte (Keep going!)
Forget your sadness, anger, grudges and hatred. Let them pass like smoke caught in a breeze. You should not deviate from the path of righteousness; you should lead a life worthy of a man. Don’t be possessed by greed, luxury, or your ego. You should accept sorrows, sadness and hatred as they are, and consider them a chance for trial given to you by the powers… a blessing given by nature. Have both your mind and your time fully engaged in budo, and have your mind deeply set on bujutsu.
Adapted from Tetsuzan
Bujinkan Kunoichi Taikai
http://www.bujinkankunoichi.com/
Bujinkan Hombu Dojo
http://www.bujinkan.com/
Bujinkan Directory Site
http://www.winjutsu.com/
Bujinkan Information Site
http://www.livingvalues.com/
Quest Videos
http://www.queststation.com/quest-e/v_list.html
DVD, Books and Miscellaneous Distributors
http://store.ninjutsu.com/
http://www.shinbudoweapons.com