History of the Bujinkan

The "Ninja" were in fact samurai warriors who practiced an unusual pattern of warfare during a time in Japan's history when civil unrest, and unrelenting turmoil swept the country.  Constant struggles for land and power forced the men from Iga province to fight for survival in their own province.
    Distinguished Chinese influences such as Sun Tzu's "Art of War", taught them military intelligence, with emphasis in deception of the enemy.  Yamabushi, mountain warrior priests, taught them a blend of Buddhist and Shinto beliefs with an element of Chinese Prophesy and magic.  From these mystic teachings, they learned to move freely without being perceived, and how to work their will without action.
    Daisuke Nishina, of the Togakure family, suffered heavy losses in battle and was forced into the mountains of Iga province, where he met the warrior priest Kain Doshi.  Daisuke emerged from the fog enshrouded mountains as a master of its method of accomplishment.  Thus was born the legend of the Togakure Ninja (late 1100's AD).
    Togakure Ninjutsu is the only known form of Ninjutsu that has survived the years.  This school of Ninjutsu remains a key tradition of the Bujinkan.  Bujinkan means "Nine Schools" or "Nine Traditions".  The nine traditions are what the Bujinkan is based on. Three of the traditions are specialized as Ninjutsu schools, where some are more specialized in espionage, information gathering, tactics etc., rather than combative techniques. The other six are more specialized in the combative techniques (although most of them have Ninpo elements in them).  The nine traditions of the Bujinkan are as follows:

  - Togakure Ryu Ninpo (founded in the late 1100's AD by Daisuke Nishina)
  - Gyokko Ryu Koshijitsu (founded in the mid 1100's by Tozawa Hakuunsai)
  - Kukishiden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu (founded in the mid 1300's by Izumo 
    Kanja Yoshitero)
  - Koto Ryu Koppojutsu (founded in the mid 1500's by Sakagami Taro                                                 
    Kunishige)
  - Gikan Ryu Koppo (founded in the mid 1500 by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo)
  - Shiden Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu (founded in the early 1600's by Takagi 
    Oriuemon Shigenobu)
  - Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo (founded in the mid 1500's by Sasaki Goemon 
    Teruyoshi)
  - Kumogakure Ryu Ninjutsu (founded in the mid 1500's by Iga Heinaizaemon
    No Jo Ienaga)
  - Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu (founded in the early 1600's by Takagi 
    Oriuemon Shigenobu)

    Currently, the Soke (Grandmaster) of the Bujinkan is Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.  He has been handed the original scrolls, information, and training for each of the 9 schools.  The scrolls have been passed down through the generations, and have been unaltered.  All of the principles of each school have been tested on the battlefield.  Hatsumi sensei is the 34th, 28th, 28th, 18th, 15th, 26th, 21st, 14th, and 17th Soke of the 9 schools listed above respectively.

HOME | ABOUT US | TRAINING | EVENTS | UPDATES | HISTORY | LINKS  

Further info on ryu and related to founded
The Fastest FTPS anywhere, FREE Go FTP Client