A Brief Bio of Hatsumi Soke

Hatsumi is the Sensei of the Bujinkan which is the main Ninjustu organisation. Hatsumi is a man who has lived the life of a ninja, and preserved an intense physical lifestyle and tradition to pass onto future generations. Hatsumi is the 34th Soke of Togakure Ryu ninjutsu.. Masaaki Hatsumi is the Soke or Grandmaster of the art. Dr Hatsumi is a Grandmaster of nine other schools in Japan Hatsumi is the only living student of the last "fighting ninja,"


He is listed by their Government as a Natural living treasure. Masaaki Hatsumi Soke received his teaching of the nine schools of the Bujinkan from Takamatsu Toshitsugu. In turn Takamatsu Sensei received his teachings from three different sources. These were Toda Shinryuken, Mizuta Yoshitaro and Ishitani Matsutaro. You must have a brief understanding of each of these schools to understand the Bujinkan as a whole.

Unlike other forms of martial training such as Karate, Judo, Kendo, Taekwondo etc., those of the Bujinkan were formed as far back at 1603 on the battlefields of Japan by the Takugawa Shogunate. 250 years of peace followed these battles and as warriors found their skills were no longer required, they started following more humanitarian path. The arts founded during this time of peace held perfection of character more important that effective combat skills.

However in the Bujinkan, combat effectiveness was still held as the highest priority and it's techniques were not diluted to comply to safety. The techniques in the Bujinkan are studied for real life situations - there is no tournament competition. Training is usually carried out with a partner. Each taking turns of the role of uke (the receiver). Once the instructor has demonstrated a basic technique, the students pair up and attempt the technique. The students will then be shown numerious variations (henka) of the basic technique.

Bujinkan training is made for real life situations. With the Bujinkan the student learns to instantly produce a technique from nothing. As we all know a real life situation very rarely plays out like a kata practised in the class.

Training with a happy heart is stressed as important in the Bujinkan. Before his death, Takamatsu told Hatsumi Sensei just how important it is:

The way to experience happiness is to let go of all worries and regrets and know that being happy is the most satisfying of life's feelings. Reflect back on all the progress in your life and allow the positive, creative, and joyous thoughts to outshine and overwhelm any sorrow or grief. Happiness is waiting there in front of you. Only you can decide whether or not you choose to experience it.


Hatsumi is the author of several books in both English and Japanese and has produced a series of videos demonstrating this true Budo. Whilst some of Hatusmi's books are now out of print and plans for the 'print on demand' book seem to have been shelved; but a new book by Dr Hatsumi is set to be released very soon.


You can find it on the books section of http://www.bujinkan-store.com or on more information on the Bujinkan at http://bujinkan-online.com

Lisa Moore has an interest in the Bujinkan, mostly driven from her husband who has been studying Martial Arts for over 30 years. Lisa Moore has created websites dedicated to the Bujinkan. Bujinkan Online