The Bujinkan is an international martial arts organization created by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi. It is a collection of nine Japanese ryuha (schools or traditions). Six of the nine schools are traditional samurai arts, and three are ninja arts. Hatsumi Sensei inherited these ryuha from his teacher, the late Toshitsugu Takamatsu, in 1972.

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu translates as “Warrior Way Body Skills.” The art was formerly known as Ninjutsu, but Hatsumi Sensei renamed it, possibly due to inaccurate ideas many people associated with the previous name. Budo Taijutsu emphasizes natural, relaxed movement. In training, one learns to use proper alignment, timing, and distancing to defeat opponents, rather than strength or speed. Taijutsu (unarmed combat) training uses the entire body moving together to provide power. The subtle destruction of the attacker’s balance and rhythm is a primary focus. These principles allow even smaller practitioners to defeat larger and stronger opponents.

Although the Bujinkan techniques are based on ancient traditions, it is a living art, constantly evolving to allow for applications in the modern world. Furthermore, every martial artist's body type, style of movement, and way of thinking are different. Each student must adapt the art to his or her own life.

The international Bujinkan Dojo is supervised directly by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. Presently, Hatsumi Sensei lives and trains in Noda City, Japan. He teaches at the Ayase Budokan in northern Tokyo, and at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noda. Hatsumi Sensei is recognized worldwide for his martial arts abilities and his expertise in ancient samurai and ninja arts. The Bujinkan Dojo has hundreds of schools and training groups spread all over the world.

For extensive historical information, see Bujinkan Long Island Dojo, "About the Bujinkan" and "History" menus.

The biggest difference between Budo Taijutsu and other martial arts is probably the idea of nagare, or flow. We strive to attain natural body movement, and we place a different emphasis on things like kamae (postures) and kata (forms). We learn the techniques so that we can have a strong foundation from which to explore, and ultimately we seek to "break the technique" in order to achieve true freedom in our movement and in how we live our lives.

Schools for other martial arts may design classes specifically to help students develop greater strength, speed, or toughness, and these qualities are often nurtured through competition. Since Budo Taijutsu is a combat art, not a sport, we do not compete, or do much of what most people think of as "sparring." Training in this art may certainly help to develop strength, speed, and endurance, as well as flexibility, balance, and other qualities. However, there is always someone bigger, stronger, faster, and tougher. Therefore, students of Budo Taijutsu strive to learn ways to be effective without relying on speed or power.

The "feel" of the art can depend in large part on the person instructing, and even the instructor's mood that particular day. Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu incorporates elements of both striking and grappling schools. Training focuses on the realistic application of combat techniques, including "crushing" strikes, joint locks, and bone-breaking. However, Budo Taijutsu also emphasizes defeating and controlling opponents without using power, and ideally, without any force at all, by controlling the physical and mental balance of the attacker.

Because of the emphasis on natural movement and the use of proper distancing, timing, and alignment over strength or speed, this art is uniquely useful and appropriate for women. In fact, one of the nine ryuha (traditions) upon which the Bujinkan is based, Gyokko Ryu, is said to have been founded by a female martial artist.

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is a combat martial art, not a sport. Therefore, we do not compete within the dojo or participate in tournaments. "Sparring" is often replaced with randori, or "free response" exercises, with the intention of developing realistically applicable skills. Since these are combat techniques, there are no rules or illegal moves as there are in tournaments or other competitions. We try to avoid training to win within artificial constraints, and potentially developing bad habits that could be limiting in a real life situation. Also, because the techniques of Budo Taijutsu evolved from real combat, they are often designed to injure and potentially kill attackers, and could not safely be applied in a competitive environment.

The word "ninpo" is a compound of two characters, Nin, or perseverance, and Po, meaning path or way. "Ninpo" is often used to refer to ninjutsu in the broader sense, including not only the techniques, but the philosophy of ninjutsu. Ninpo encompasses the ideas of endurance or perseverance, training as a way of living or survival, and the need to develop a good heart, with love and compassion for others and for oneself.

Budo is a compound of the kanji Bu, meaning war or warrior, and Do, meaning path or way. Budo is most often translated as "The Way of the Warrior," or "Martial Way." Budo is often used to refer to martial arts training in the broader sense, incorporating the philosophy and discipline of the Japanese warrior. In a more modern context, budo can mean the study and application of the martial arts as a way of life, more than a simple means of self-defense.

The Bujinkan is comprised of nine ryuha, or traditions, only three of which have origins in ninjutsu. It has been speculated that the name Ninjutsu was changed to Budo Taijutsu in order to avoid certain negative ideas or stereotypes people often associate with the image of the ninja as a dark assassin and mercenary. Many aspects of ninjutsu and ninpo are a regular part of training, such as stealth applied to both physical and psychological aspects of combat, and persevering and training for survival against all odds.

We may occasionally do exercises during training involving awareness, energy, visualization, breathing, and internal sensitivity. However, these exercises will be used to further our exploration of the movements of Budo Taijutsu, and are not meant to provide spiritual guidance or training. Students may extract deeper lessons, but it is always up to the student to determine the meaning or usefulness of anything learned in the dojo. The instructors at DC Bujinkan Dojo do not claim to be meditation teachers, or to have any knowledge of spiritual or religious teachings.

Since the arts of the Bujinkan are based on ancient Japanese combat schools, some traditions are derived partly from Shinto and Buddhist philosophy and practices. The bow-in ceremony is based on a Shinto ritual banishing evil spirits and inviting the presence of the gods. However, in the context of training, students may think of this ritual as banishing their own personal demons, cleansing the mind of negative or distracting thoughts and preparing for training. They may envision summoning their best selves to rise to the challenges of training and extract the maximum benefit and understanding from the teachings they are about to receive. The words spoken during the bow-in and bow-out ceremony, "shikin haramitsu daikomyo," can be translated as "In every moment, another chance for enlightenment."

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Directions via car, Metro, and foot, as well as a map to the exact training location, may be found on our schedule page.

Everyone has different reasons for choosing to study martial arts. Some may be interested purely in self-defense and protecting loved ones. Others may also be looking for ways to improve their flexibility, balance, and control. Others may see training as a way to forge character, or find that principles learned during training apply to other aspects of life. Your reasons are your own, and the only way to find out if Budo Taijutsu will provide what you are looking for is to try it for yourself.

It is difficult for new students with no knowledge of the art to judge if a teacher is qualified, so you will need to rely on the instructor's documentation and reputation, as well your instincts.

All Bujinkan instructors should be licensed through the International Bujinkan Dojo and Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi, and be able to show their Godan Certificate and Shidoshi License. Those below the rank of godan should be supervised by a licensed Shidoshi. You can also inquire among other instructors and practitioners, as well as online forums, regarding the instructor's reputation. Just be sure to take anything you hear second-hand with a healthy dose of salt.

Beyond license and reputation, you should feel comfortable with your instructor. Above all, instructors should be students first, and should always be striving to learn and improve even as they seek to "pay it forward" by sharing their experience with the next generation. Students are at the dojo to learn, and should never be inhibited from training with other instructors, attending seminars, or visiting Japan to train with Hatsumi Soke or the Japanese Shihan, regardless of rank or level of experience. Your instructor should also convey a concern for your safety and well-being, and a desire to see you grow and even exceed him or her. Good instructors are approachable, and foster an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect throughout the dojo.

All you need to start training is a desire to learn. For your first few classes, you can wear loose-fitting clothing that you wouldn't mind getting dirty or ripped, and sneakers or wrestling shoes. Later, if you decide that you wish to join the dojo, you will eventually want to purchase a training gi, or uniform. At some point you will also want to own your own training weapons, so that you can practice armed techniques on your own and bring your own gear to seminars. However, these things are not necessary right away, and should not prevent you from starting training.

Training in Budo Taijutsu is often physically strenuous, and may involve taking falls, getting hit, and having joint locks and reversals applied to various parts of the body. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all students get a complete physical examination before engaging in training, including an evaluation by a licensed physical therapist or personal trainer to identify and begin correcting any muscle imbalances, potential joint problems, and posture or gait issues. This being said, all students are required to sign a complete Release and Waiver, and engage in training entirely at their own risk. It is the nature of martial arts training that injuries may occur, and students need to understand this risk before deciding to train.

While regular classes often involve many physically strenuous activities, students are encouraged to participate in training at their own level. Students in any physical condition can benefit from this art. While some disabilities or physical conditions may limit bodily participation in some class activities, they may not necessarily disqualify students from training altogether. Observing some portions of class can have many benefits, and students will never be pressured to participate in activities that are beyond their physical capabilities.

In addition, regular training usually contributes to greatly improved flexibility and balance over time, and can improve strength and cardio-vascular health as well. Students should know, however, that class is not meant as a work-out. Class is not sufficient in itself to maintain optimal physical conditioning, and must be supplemented outside the dojo. Class time is used for exploring and practicing skills; keeping yourself in shape for training and for your own well-being is your responsibility.

This art is open to anyone who wants to learn, and who is willing to abide by the Bujinkan Guidelines. However, DC Bujinkan Dojo currently does not offer classes for students under the age of 16, and students between 16 and 18 years old must have permission and a waiver signed by a parent or guardian to engage in training. In addition, they must be deemed mature enough by the instructors and senior students to learn and apply this art responsibly.

Because these techniques are so potentially dangerous, Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi has also told all instructors only to train students with "good hearts," and this standard will be applied to all students entering the dojo. The skills learned in the dojo must never be abused, and students who get into fights or commit illegal acts will be expelled. For more on this, please read the Bujinkan Guidelines.

DC Bujinkan Dojo currently does not offer classes for students under the age of 16. However, some very few exceptions may be made for students deemed mature enough by the instructors and senior students to learn and apply this art responsibly. If you are under 16 years old and are seriously interested in training, please have a parent or guardian contact an instructor to set up a meeting. For those under 16 years old, gymnastics and/or dance class are highly recommended to develop flexibility, coordination, and balance, which will be invaluable later on in life, whether or not the student then decides to pursue martial arts.

Classes at DC Bujinkan Dojo are mixed, as at most Bujinkan dojo, including the Hombu in Japan. Students work with others of all levels. This model allows beginners to learn more "advanced" methods and benefit from the experience of senior students, while also having a chance to interact with students at their own level and discover things for themselves. The necessity of explaining and demonstrating movements to kohai (junior students) forces sempai (senior students) to refine their own technique, and clarifies their understanding of the principles behind each movement. In general, beginner and advanced students are shown and work on the same material in class, but are working on the techniques at their own level.

Many of the "secret" techniques of the Bujinkan are hidden in plain sight, and therefore cannot be withheld from the student who is ready to see them. A simple example of this might be a "stealth" disarming technique, where a sweep of the hand serves as a weapons check as well as kuzushi (balance break). As the student's understanding and awareness improve, greater and greater subtleties become apparent. All that is required to learn these "secrets" is perseverance in training, and the (learnable) skill of paying close attention.

Only you can answer this question. However, the more you train, and the better you train, the more you will improve. Therefore, you should try to train as often as you can, as well as you can, without sacrificing other things that are important in your life. Training is about how to survive and how to live as much as winning a fight. If you are neglecting your family, career, or personal goals for training, you are missing the point.

A minimal amount of training sufficient to maintain your skills is around one two-hour class per week, but you will need to train on your own as well in order to improve. Ideally, students should attend at least two classes a week with a qualified instructor, in addition to working on your own on kihon (fundamentals), such as kamae, ukemi, and sanshin.

A new student who joins the dojo is considered mu-kyu, or no-rank, and wears a white belt. After mu-kyu, there are nine "kyu" ranks ascending in reverse order from ku-kyu (ninth level) up through i-kyu (first level), all of which wear a green belt. The next rank is shodan, or first degree black belt, and the ranks ascend in order through judan, or tenth degree black belt. Occasionally, students in the upper kyu ranks wear a brown belt to identify them as senior students who are preparing for shodan.

Some students see attaining a black belt as the "goal" of training, but it is actually the beginning. Once a student receives black belt, it means they have been exposed to enough of the basics to be ready to truly explore the movements. This exploration is the real meat of training.

The Bujinkan ranking system is different from many other martial arts, in that there are an additional five dan ranks above judan (tenth degree black belt), delineated by ju-ichidan, ju-nidan, etc. or by the five elements of earth, water, fire, wind, and void. The kyu ranks are said to be the Heaven level; dan ranks up through judan are said to be Earth level; ranks from ju-ichidan up are considered Man level. What these ranks mean is up for debate. However, this question is not really relevant for most practitioners, so don't worry about it!

Each dojo or teacher has a different system for determining rank. Some dojo are very structured, and have manuals and/or tests defining the skills needed for each rank. Other dojo are very loosely structured in this regard, and the only way to know what a rank means is to find out directly from the instructor who gives it.

Rank is not important. To clarify: in the Bujinkan, many teachers give rank for different reasons, and two students at a similar skill level may not have the same rank. Therefore, the rank may be very meaningful to an individual student, but it is not important in any sense other than as a tool to further that student's growth.

Sometimes students are given rank to challenge them to train harder, in order to live up to the rank they are given. Rank may be withheld to challenge a student's resolve, or as a lesson in ego-management. Similarly, an inflated rank may be given to a student in order to develop their ability to remain humble.

The bottom line is that rank is only meaningful in the context of the individual student's training, and the intentions of the teacher who gave it. Rank is unrelated to other students' abilities or progress, and it is generally useless to make comparisons from one student to another.

The time it takes to attain the rank of shodan, or first degree black belt, varies at each dojo and from student to student. Some teachers give shodan to dedicated students in as little as one or two years, if they determine that the student is ready, while for others it may take five years or more. Since rank is very individual, it should not be a main focus of training, and should be used by the student only as an internal measure and tool for personal growth.

Although experience in other martial arts may apply to some aspects of training in Budo Taijutsu, all practitioners new to this art are considered white belts, and should enter training with shoshin, or beginner's mind, humble and ready to learn what is being taught.

"Shidoshi" translates as "Teacher of the Way" and is a title available only to practitioners who have taken and passed the godan (fifth degree black belt) test. Until recently, only Soke Masaaki Hatsumi could administer the test, but he has recently allowed some teachers at the level of 15th dan to give the test. To be a Shidoshi, an instructor must be licensed through the International Bujinkan Dojo, and renew their Shidoshi License annually.

A "Shidoshi-ho" is an assistant instructor, below the rank of godan, who is preparing to take the godan test and become an instructor. A Shidoshi-ho is also licensed through the International Bujinkan Dojo.

The word "Shihan" is a title meaning "Great Teacher," and was used in the past only to refer to the senior Japanese instructors and personal students of Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. More recently, the title has come to be used in the US to refer to any instructor with the rank of judan (tenth degree black belt) or higher.