Heart, Faith and Steel » ninpo

Unarmed Fighting Techniques

Joe — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:00:07 +0000

Many people were shocked with the release of Unarmed Fighting Techniques in 2008. Upon review of the contents we see the listing of six Bujinkan traditions and their training structure. In many Bujinkan schools this book is referred to as “The densho” (tradition book). In the Bujinkan New York Dojo, I recommend senior students study it against their class lessons.

“When you become entangled, there can be no victory. By sacrificing yourself you have the chance to be saved. Heed this old poem and strive to train to the best of your abilities.” — Masaaki Hatsumi

Japanese Sword Fighting

Joe — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:00:47 +0000

It was in 2005 that we saw Hatsumi-sensei‘s Japanese Sword Fighting at the bookstores. As far as I can recall, this is the first Bujinkan related work to focus on our sword style. The subtle format was visually impressive for those of us that have been reading Bujinkan books throughout the years.

With this book, there seemed to be a shift in the way Hatsumi-sensei is sharing information with the reader. Without doubt, this book is a must have item.

“It is taught that the foundation of Budo is to first understand taijutsu, through which you can fight even if you have no weapons. this means to persevere in the martial ways (bufu-ikkan), and to train consistently and with the utmost effort. Then you will grasp the secrets of muto dori (no-sword method). Succeeding in this, the mysteries of the secret sword (hiken) will be revealed, and no matter what you hold, your heart and your taijutsu with dance skillfully in the void (koku).” — Masaaki Hatsumi

Understand? Good. Play!

Joe — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:00:53 +0000

With the private release of Ninpo: Wisdom for Life there seemed to be a renewed interest in Hatsumi-sensei‘s writings. Ben Cole, a Bujinkan member, had been writing down quotes from Hatsumi-sensei Japan classes visits for several years and sharing them.

This eventually transformed into Understand? Good. Play!, a book of Bujinkan quotes from Masaaki Hatsumi. A great success, this book has been out of print for too long.

“This [training] cannot be taught. It cannot be understood through mere words. It must be experienced personally. Books are for use after you know the techniques. It is the same for the densho. If you know the technique, and then read the words, it makes sense.” — Masaaki Hatsumi

Ninpo: Wisdom for Life

Joe — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:00:44 +0000

In the 1980s, I met Hatsumi-sensei for the first time and found out that he had several books written in Japanese. Being an avid reader, I asked one of the Japanese-shihan about them. In a short while I was working on a translation of the first chapter of one book.

Eventually I began a project to translate one whole book from beginning to end. It was a challenge, but with Hatsumi-sensei‘s approval, updates and encouragement Ninpo: Wisdom for Life was published.

“Musha Shugyo [warrior errantry] was to go beyond the bounds of simple training. You must stretch beyond your personal limitations.” — Masaaki Hatsumi

BNYD twitter feed

Joe — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:30:54 +0000

If you enjoy reading quotes about martial arts training, you may want to check out or subscribe to the Bujinkan New York Dojo Twitter feed. You can check it out here:

http://twitter.com/bnyd

Dojo Rules of Conflict

Joe — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 11:00:35 +0000

1. Distance or “Run away.”

2. Guard or “A good face is worth protecting.”

3. Strategy or “Strategy is everything and Everything is strategy.”

Peter Reynolds Bujinkan Seminar

Joe — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:30:59 +0000

Pete Reynolds – Bujinkan NYC Seminar

Dates: Tuesday & Wednesday, November 9 & 10, 2010

Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm (both nights)

Location: Pearl Studios, NYC
500 Eighth Ave. (btw 35th/36th St.)
New York, NY

Cost: $30 for one night or $55 for both

Info: The Pete Reynolds Bujinkan NYC Seminar is jointly sponsored by: Jeff Christian (Muzosa Dojo), Christopher Chen (Tanjiki Dojo), Ben Cole (U?G.P! Dojo), Rob Flanagan (Muzosa Dojo), Joe Maurantonio (Bujinkan New York Dojo), Antonio Rodriguez (Bujinkan Gokui Doj) and several more dojo!

Ninja and Assassin

Joe — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:00:14 +0000

I recently saw two ninja movies that came out last year and though both were entertaining, neither was very good. So, here’s my review:

Ninja (2009): Age old story, boy meets girl in ninja school, they bond. Rival ninja student hates boy does bad things and gets a tabi boot to the butt. Rival student returns to make everyone regret the day…

Ninja Assassin (2009): Age old story, boy meets girl in ninja school, they bond. Rival ninja student kills girl. Boy escapes and returns to make everyone regret the day…

So, I’m glad I didn’t pay theater prices ($10 per flick) to see them… Instead i borrowed them from my local library (free).

The Bells Were Ringing

Joe — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:00:26 +0000

The martial arts are about living (not dying). We study the arts of protecting our friends, family and ourselves from those who would harm us; but equal in importance we are studying how to live, grow and foster the same in those around us.

So, (on Saturday, April 24, 2010) when one of the members of our group was getting married, it was obvious that many of us would be attending. Bill and his beautiful wife, Geovanna, had a wonderful sunny day and awesome wedding! Congratulations!

Per cent’anni!

The power of zero

Joe — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:30:35 +0000

It’s not form or technique, it’s the koppo. It’s the whole body. It’s the power of zero. Don’t hit or strike. Play in the space. — Hatsumi-soke

Recently, a friend asked me to voice my thoughts on the quote above. here’s what I wrote back:

We always think of “koppo” in terms of bone attacks but a few years ago, Hatsumi-soke explained that koppo has a deeper meaning. My simple understanding of Koppo is knack (“skillful means”). So, koppo is letting go of the form and intent; moving naturally to effect others within “their” movements.

Additionally, soke often speaks and demos how we shouldn’t think of hitting the opponent, but move in ways that cause imbalance (loss of stability in body/mind) in the opponent.

For me a really “cool” non-martial way of explaining this is:
“A boozer looking for a fight walks into a bar. His attitude is plastered all over his face and body… Jackie [Chan], sitting in a chair, turns the chair and the boozer goes flipping over Jackie’s leg smacking his head on a table and falling unconscious.”

But as another friend of mine used to say, “Of course, I might have it all wrong.”