Training
Background:
The Bujinkan
New Jersey Dojo is a practicing group of Japanese Budo
Taijutsu enthusiasts. Internationally, our group is
known as the Bujinkan Buyῡ Dojo [Warrior Friends
School]. The head instructor is Jack
Hoban. We meet at Wesley Hall Auditorium in
Spring Lake, NJ on Wednesday nights from
7 - 8:30pm.
Directions are here. "For out-of-towners,"
we have an all day
seminar
once a month on a Saturday.
Training
fees are:
$60.00
per month, or, $15.00 per class Monthly
seminars fees are not included.
|
|
There are a number
of Bujinkan Buyῡ Dojos, as well as other Buyῡ groups
popping up here and there. Check the Internet
WIN Yellow Page for training opportunities in other
areas. Fees may differ in other areas.
About The Training
|
Directions | What To Bring |
Seminars |
Home Page
ABOUT THE BUJINKAN BUYŪ DOJO TRAINING
The Bujinkan
is a set of nine Japanese martial art schools (or styles):
- Togakure Ryu
Ninpo
- Gyokko Ryu
Koshijutsu
- Kuki Shinden
Ryu Happo Hiken
- Koto Ryu Koppojutsu
- Gikan Ryu Koppo
- Shinden Fudo
Ryu Dakentaijutsu
- Gyokushin Ryu
Ninpo
- Kumogakure
Ryu Ninjutsu
- Takagi Yoshin
Ryu Jutaijutsu
Included are
hitting, grappling, escaping, and weapons systems. These martial
arts are not sport martial arts. Therefore there are no formal
competitions or tournaments. Ranks are awarded when the student
demonstrates competency and an appropriate level of commitment.
Training is for:
- Acquiring the
capability of defending self and others
- Maintaining
a compassionate attitude toward others
- Cultivating
a natural lifestyle
The Grandmaster
is Masaaki Hatsumi of
Noda, Japan
Initially, the
curriculum will consist of:
- Junan Taiso
conditioning and flexibility exercises
- Ukemi injury
prevention
- San shin no
kata exercises for developing a strong body and clear spirit
- Kihon Happo
fighting scenarios
The training
will evolve eventually into a wider curriculum including:
- Kata advanced
fighting scenarios from the different ryῡ-ha
- Henka fight
variations
- Budogu martial
art fighting tools:
- bojutsu stick-fighting
(including, hanbo, jo, rokushakubo, yari, and naginata/bisento)
- tantojutsu
and kenjutsu blade-fighting
- kusari-fundojutsu
flexible weapons-fighting
The official
Bujinkan guidelines for training may be found here:
http://www.bujinkan.com/guidelines.htm
Dojo Etiquette:
Black Japanese
martial arts do-gis (training uniforms) and an appropriate colored
belt are worn in our training. If you already have a white training
uniform, there is no need to buy a new one until you wish to
or the old one wears out. Belt ranks are as follows:
Rank |
Color |
Time
in Grade (approx.) |
Shoshinsha |
white |
3-6 months |
9th-1st kyu |
green |
4 months per kyu |
1st-4th dan |
black |
1 year per dan |
5th dan and above |
Black |
Receive from Japan only |
Although we take
a relaxed approach to the training, certain formalities (bowing,
etc.)are observed while actually involved in giving and receiving
instruction.
In the adults
class, we do not use honorifics as a rule, but they are not
inappropriate. Geniality and respect between all training members,
student and teacher, is the rule and will be observed. Students
should also be aware of certain courtesies that will make them
more comfortable if there should be an opportunity to go to
Japan and study, or if a Japanese instructor visits us.
Treat your seniors
with respect, your juniors with care. In Japan there is what
is known as a sempai/kohai or senior/junior system. This system
is not part of American culture. Still, due to the inherent
danger in all real martial arts training, more experienced members
must ensure that new members are safe and feel so. It is also
their responsibility to make all new training members and guests
feel welcome in the dojo. New members must be observant and
are encouraged to ask questions of the more experienced.
The classes are
conducted in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere with the
emphasis on safety. The reason for this is because, as mentioned,
the techniques are real and have not been adapted for use as
a sport. They must be practiced in a certain way or injury will
result.
Realistic fight
distancing is used at all times. Therefore the speed at which
technique exchanges occur must be appropriate for the level
and ability of the participants; training dynamics must be mutually
agreed on in advance by "attacker" and "receiver."
All members train
together when possible. There is no "caste" system.
Rank and seniority bring responsibility rather than privilege.
Philosophy:
Our philosophy
is simple: Protect life. Live according
to nature and the natural law. All people's lives are equal
(even if their behavior isn't) and must be respected, and if
possible, protected.
As Hatsumi Sensei
wrote: "Shinobi no ho, or Ninja methods, are for discerning
what is right for the world, enduring, training to become a
moral being, becoming aware of one's destiny, and dedicating
one's life to other people or the world as a whole."
In addition to
Hatsumi Sensei's teachings, our training group has adopted the "Ethical Warrior"
philosophy of the late
Robert L.
Humphrey. Mr. Hoban is also one of the founders and remains
a Subject Matter Expert for the
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Accordingly, there
are certain aspects of our training that strongly reflect those
influences.
Those that agree
with our training philosophy, will be instructed in the skills
needed to support that perspective, regardless of age, health,
gender, or cultural distinction. On the other hand, we are not
an "obedience school." If you cannot summon up the
personal discipline to train with a friendly and courteous demeanor,
you will probably feel out of place and quit the training. People
who are looking for a competitive, aggressive atmosphere will
probably be disappointed and quit as well. Make no mistake ,however,
the training is challenging. Once you acquire the skills, you
will be capable of walking through life as a warrior knight.
|