Ninjutsu Bujinkan?

Question

Does anybody know anything about the style of ninjutsu bujinkan? Is the style of ninjutsu effective? (i have never had anything to do with ninjutsu)

Answer 1

don't do ninkutsu it along with ATA are the most BS martial arts possible.

Answer 2

Effective for what?

If you want to learn DOMINATE IN THE RING, no.

If you want to play in MMA, *probably* not.

If you want to learn how to work a fight to your advantage, and don't mind taking a couple years to get there, I think it's ok.

It's not the most brutal art around, but I think it's the best integrated.

Of course, I'm biased, I've been taking it for 4-5 years.

Answer 3

Hi there

Its just like any other art in that its only as good as the individual that practises it. Its not a sport and specifically  Bujinkan taijutsu consists of the techniques of 6 out of 9 schools moulded into one.

To a complete novice it looks similar to modern Jujutsu or Aikdio but that's where the similarity ends.

If you break down what is actually practised the ninjutsu is only a very small part of what there is to study but its what the Bujinkan is most famous for. Its not what is practiced the most!

Don't make the silly mistake many do and try to compare it to MMA, kick boxing etc. All arts are fit for purpose so ninjutsu is useful when used the way it was intended just like Bjj works best in the UFC.

So it really comes down to what you want to get from your training. If you want to be greatest UFC champion then its not the art for you. If you want to study a koryu Japanese art that has weapons etc then give it a go.

Taijutsu is a difficult art to grasp and sadly its even more difficult for others to understand. The image of the ninja is so ingrained for some that they cant seperate the fact from fiction hence the negative reaction the art receives.

As for it working on the street that parts down to you and only you. Don't blame the art when it all goes Pete tong!

Try a few different arts first before you settle on the one for you. But more importantly find a good teacher. Theres crappy instructors and c**p to be found in every art.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 4

Looks ok to me.

I suggest you ask to have a free try for the first class and look at the environment and students.

Good luck

Answer 5

It is important to remember that the term "ninjutsu" does not refer to a specific style, but more to a group of arts, each with a different point of view expressed by the different ryu. The physical dynamics from one ryu to another varies - one ryu may focus on redirection and avoidance while another may charge in and overwhelm.

To provide some kind of brief description, ninjutsu includes the study of both unarmed and armed combative techniques, strategy, philosophy, and history. In many Dojos the area of study is quite comprehensive. The idea being to become adept at many things, rather than specializing in only one.

The main principles in combat are posture, distance, rythm and flow. The practitioner responds to attacks in such a way that they place themselves in an advantageous position from which an effective response can be employed. They are taught to use the entire body for every movement/technique, to provide the most power and leverage. They will use the openings created by the opponents movement to implement techniques, often causing the opponent to "run in/on to" body weapons.

Training progresses through skills in Taihenjutsu (Body changing skills), which include falling, rolling, leaping, posture, and avoidance; Dakentaijutsu (Striking weapons body techniques) using the entire body as a striking tool/ weapon - how to apply and how to receive; and Jutaijutsu (Supple body techniques) locks, throws, chokes, holds - how to apply and how to escape.

In the early stages, weapons training is usually limited to practicing how to avoid attacks - overcoming any fear of the object and understanding the dynamics of its use from the perspective of "defending against" (while unarmed). In the mid and later stages, once a grounding in Taijutsu body dynamics is in place, practitioners begin studying from the perspective of "defending with" the various tools/weapons.

In the early stages of training, kata are provided as examples of "what can be done here" and "how to move the body to achieve this result". However, as the practitioner progresses they are encouraged to explore the openings which naturally appear in peoples movements and apply spontaneous techniques based upon the principles contained within the kata. This free flowing style is one of the most important aspects of ninjutsu training. Adaptability is one of the main lessons of all of these ryu.

Due to the combative nature of the techniques studied, there are no tournaments or competitions in Ninjutsu. As tournament fighting has set rules which compel the competitor to study the techniques allowed within that framework, this limits not only the kinds of techniques that they study, but also the way in which they will apply those techniques. The way that you train is the way that you fight. Ninjutsu requires that its practitioners be open to any situation and to be able to adapt their technique to ensure survival.

However, as with all martial arts, it would be wise to be very careful about people claiming to be "masters personally taught by the Grandmaster in Japan".

How do you verify the authenticity of an instructor? In the case of a Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu instructor there a few points which one can use.

First: all recognized "instructors" of the Bujinkan Dojo will, in addition to their Dan grade (black belt), have either a Shidoshi-ho (assistant teacher - first to fourth Dan) or Shidoshi (teacher – fifth to ninth Dan) certificate/ licence from Dr Hatsumi. Only people with these certificates are considered to be qualified to teach his system (a Dan grade alone DOES NOT make one a teacher).

Second: in addition to these certificates/licences, all recognized "instructors" of the Bujinkan Dojo will possess a valid Bujinkan Hombu Dojo Shidoshi-kai (Bujinkan Headquarters Dojo Teachers Association) for the current year. These cards are issued each year from Dr Hatsumi to those recognized as "instructors".

These points will help you if you are looking at training with someone from the Bujinkan Dojo. Beyond that, it's a case of "buyer beware".