The Bujinkan

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The Bujinkan (武神館, “Hall of the Divine Warrior”) is an international martial arts organization headquartered in Noda City, Japan. It was founded in the early 1970s by Masaaki Hatsumi to preserve and transmit nine classical Japanese martial traditions—six samurai schools and three ninja schools—some with traceable histories reaching back to the 12th century.

The Bujinkan training system, known as Budō Taijutsu, emphasizes natural movement, timing, distance, and adaptability over brute strength. Training is cooperative rather than competitive, with students learning to control encounters through balance disruption, proper positioning, and calm awareness. Both unarmed techniques and traditional weapons are studied as part of a complete martial curriculum.
 

Today, thousands of practitioners train in Bujinkan dojo around the world, all connected through a shared lineage back to Japan.
 

Soke Masaaki Hatsumi

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Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭) was born in 1931 in Noda City, Japan. After studying judo, karate, and other martial arts in his youth, he sought out the older warrior traditions that would define his life’s work.

In the mid-1950s, Hatsumi met Toshitsugu Takamatsu—a legendary martial artist known as “the Tiger of Mongolia”—and spent the next fifteen years traveling to train with him in the mountains of Nara Prefecture. When Takamatsu passed away in 1972, Hatsumi inherited the leadership of nine classical martial traditions, becoming their sole successor (Sōke).

Hatsumi Sensei founded the Bujinkan organization to continue the study of these arts and has since taught students from around the world at the Hombu Dōjō in Noda. His contributions to martial arts and cultural exchange have been recognized internationally by governments, institutions, and martial arts communities.
 

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The Nine Ryu-ha of the Bujinkan
The Bujinkan encompasses nine distinct schools (ryūha), each with its own history, techniques, and character. These traditions were passed to Hatsumi Sensei through an unbroken lineage of masters:

Ninja Traditions (Ninpō)

• Togakure-ryū Ninpō (戸隠流忍法) — est. 1161 — “Hidden Door School” The oldest documented ninja school. Emphasizes stealth, evasion, nature, and unique weapons.  

• Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法) — est. 1532 — “Jeweled Heart School” Known for espionage, intelligence gathering, and psychological strategy, and physical prowess.

• Kumogakure-ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法) — est. 1532 — “Hiding in the Clouds School” Rooted in Buddhist and Shintō principles of non-violence, spiritual awareness, and self mastery.

Samurai Traditions

• Gyokko-ryū Kosshijutsu (玉虎流骨指術) — est. 1156 — “Jewel Tiger School” Often targets the muscular system and emphasizes the power found circular movements. The source of fundamental techniques like San Shin and Kihon Happō.

• Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu (虎倒流骨法術) — est. 1532 — “Tiger Knocking Down School” Focuses on bone structure and skeletal attacks with distinctive cross-stepping footwork.

• Shinden Fudō-ryū Dakentaijutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術) — est. 1346 — “Immovable Heart School” Powerful striking methods emphasizing natural posture and an unshakeable spirit.

• Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtaijutsu (高木揚心流柔体術) — est. 1625 — “High Tree, Raised Heart School” Close-quarter grappling, throws, and joint locks—including techniques from seated positions.

• Kukishinden-ryū Happō Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術) — est. 1336 — “Nine Demon Gods School” Often called ‘The Samurai School.’ Famous for battlefield tactics and weapons: sword, spear, staff, and more.  Includes traditional armored techniques.

• Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu (義鑑流骨法術) — est. 1558 — “Truth, Loyalty, and Justice School” Known for low, powerful stances and dynamic, forceful techniques with devastating effect.