The Bujinkan Dojo was formed in the 1970′s by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi following inheriting nine martial traditions from his teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Dr. Hatsumi had trained intensively with Takamatsu Sensei prior to this, and initially the Bujinkan Dojo was a small training group made up of a handful of individuals.
During the 1970′s people from the west started to hear about the Bujinkan, and a few people began to make the trip to Japan to study with Hatsumi Sensei. In the years that followed, the Dojo grew into an international organisation, but still very much focused on Japan.
Within the Bujinkan, we approach martial arts with the mindset of self‑protection and the protection of others and society more widely. Training is not focused on competition or sport, as the nine traditions passed onto Hatsumi Sensei developed from military applications. It is a martial art in its truest sense, not a martial sport.
Each of these traditions could stand on its own as a complete martial system. Within the Bujinkan, training focuses on six of these schools — Togakure, Kukishinden, Koto, Shinden, Takagi and Gyokko‑ryū. Each shares similarities, but also contextual differences related to when they evolved and the weapons and equipment used at the time.
At Bujinkan Reading, we focus on key principles that bind these schools together — distancing, timing and angling. Our approach is pragmatic, centred on self‑protection and effectiveness. We train using drills that help participants learn movements and develop skills for dealing with a range of scenarios.
Training includes rolling, breakfalling, striking, throwing, locking, balance‑taking, the use of and defence against weapons, multiple opponents, and how to use your surroundings. The Bujinkan promotes a comprehensive and holistic viewpoint on self‑protection, applicable to a wide range of people.
We also work on drills that help participants deal with stress, pressure and the unpredictable nature of violent confrontations. These exercises build progressively, helping students respond appropriately and apply their skills at realistic speeds.