Heart, Faith and Steel » togakure

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

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

The Read Ahead

Joe — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:00:56 +0000

When I first joined the Bujinkan, there were precious few books on authentic ninjutsu. Those of us training at the time would read, discuss and reread them. There were notes to be taken and sections to memorize.

Today, there are many good books to be found. Most of them are by Hatsumi-sensei with a few by teachers from all over the world.

I’ve decided my next few articles will be quotes from some of my favorite Bujinkan related books.

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

Dark Knight Returns

Joe — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 01:00:31 +0000

I’m re-reading Batman: The Dark Knight Returns graphic novel by Frank Miller.

When I was a kid, I watched the TV shows; but Batman wasn’t one my usual reads. In this comic, Frank Miller’s take on the character was refresh and gritty. Miller knew Batman. And that is why “Dark Knight” was one of the BEST comic books released in the 1980s.

To be honest, I think it is one of the top 10 graphic novels around today. Pick it up, read it and remember who told you about it.

Ninja Qualities

Joe — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:00:40 +0000

Every once in a while I am asked, “What were the most important qualities of the ninja?”

Years ago, Hatsumi-soke spoke about this years ago. He stated the three most important qualities of a ninja were honesty, desire to learn, and perseverance.

He further explained the ninja’s honesty was akin to the lessons of justice and integrity. This honesty was a form of enlightenment developed by judging right and wrong with one’s heart as a mirror.

Learning was the ninja’s greatest weapon and companion. The ninja took interest in learning everything… general knowledge and common sense would ultimately enable the ninja to make critical judgments with decisive certainty. This led to understanding of day-to-day affairs and eventually wisdom and spiritual refinement.

The perseverance of the ninja is perhaps the most legendary of all his abilities. The ninja could not be dissuaded from his chosen path once is was begun. He had levels of endurance cultivated over years of training and tempering.

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!

Hey Sensei

Joe — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:06:06 +0000

I was just reading a witty blog post by Wayne Muromoto (publisher of the old Furyu magazine) andthought I would share a bit:

Hey Sensei, how long before I can kick ass?
How long before you stop being a jack ass? There’s no set time on becoming proficient in a martial art. What you put in is what you get out of it. Plus you have to train the right way. Doing it the wrong way many times over doesn’t make you better. It only makes you good in doing something bad.

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.”

Daikomyosai 2009 DVD

Joe — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:00:27 +0000

Like many of my buyu, I am eagerly awaiting the latest release of Quest Video’s Bujinkan DVD line: Daikomyosai 2009. Having been there during the filming, I know from experience that it’s a must have for all Bujinkan shidoshi.

Follow this link to watch a clip on YouTube.