Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi was born in Noda City, Chiba prefecture on December 2, 1931. Grandmaster Hatsumi is the founder and International Director of the Bujinkan Dojo with its Hombu Dojo, the Bujinden (Divine Palace), residing in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He is married to his lovely wife, Mariko; a famous Japanese dance teacher and 10th dan director of women's training for the Bujinkan. He was 7 years old when he first held his father's wooden sword. From that moment, the martial arts of Japan became his passion and he studied everything he could, including Okinawan Karate (Zen-Bei Butokukai), Jukendo (rifle and bayonet combat) and western-style boxing. Additionally, he achieved teaching ranks in Judo, Kendo, Karate and Aikido. He took a break from martial arts for a while and focused on his academic studies, eventually graduating from Meiji University in Tokyo, with a major in theater studies and osteopathic medicine (bone doctor). Feeling a gap in his life, he again returned to the martial arts. Through dedication and perseverance, a young Hatsumi prevailed over much larger and older competitors to attain the rare honor, and high rank, of 4th degree black belt in Judo before his 20th birthday. Soon afterward, he was invited to teach Judo at an American military base. In no time, the Americans were able to develop a powerful style that enabled them to easily throw their Japanese seniors. Hatsumi began to question his training. Of what use were the combat arts if a bigger, stronger, more athletic opponent with little or no training, could negate years of martial practice? How could a person of smaller stature effectively defend him or herself? Hatsumi then turned to traditional Kobudo, or weapon arts. However, this was not the answer he sought. Upon learning all he could from one of his Kobudo masters, he was directed to seek out an old master in Nara Prefecture. Eventually he found himself at the doorstep of a man who would change his life and someday renew the world of martial arts, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, the last of the true Ninja. Takamatsu lived in Kashiwabara, on the far side of Japan. The trip to Kashiwabara took Hatsumi 15 hours by train. Every weekend he would make the long commute, starting on Friday night. He would return early Monday morning to see patients at his bone clinic. He continued to train in this manner for 15 years, until the time of his teacher's death. Through Takamatsu, Hatsumi learned the art of Taijutsu. This was what Hatsumi had been looking for. Here was a method of movement and distance that allowed an individual to defeat opponents who were much larger and stronger. He had found the essence of the true Bujutsu arts. Dr. Hatsumi inherited the nine schools that comprise the Bujinkan from Toshitsugu Takamatsu Soke shortly before Takamatsu's passing in 1972. Today these studies have become what we know of as the Bujinkan Dojo (Divine Warrior Training Hall). Hatsumi named his organization "Bujinkan" in honor of Takamatsu, whom he considered a Divine Warrior. Today, Grandmaster Hatsumi is the author of over a dozen books and over 40 videotapes on the art of Ninjutsu. He has been featured in almost every magazine relating to this subject in Japan, and throughout the world. He has authored countless magazine and newspaper articles. He wrote, directed and acted in 50 episodes of a television series called "Jiraya" which was rated the number one kid's program in Japan during its run. He is now what is called a historiographer of martial arts for various plays and movies, acting as a consultant to ensure that what is being portrayed is historically accurate. He is a past President of the Writers Guild of Japan. He is sought out as a speaker and television personality in Japan. He is an accomplished musician and singer who plays guitar and yukelale. For several years he played nightclubs in a Hawaiian band as a singer and musician. The walls of Soke Hatsumi's three-story brick home display an elaborate collection of signed photos from presidents and leaders from many countries around the world, along with awards, certificates, and honorary degrees from some of the most elite organizations in the world. Among them are Honorary Doctorate degrees from the USA in Human Sciences and Philosophy. Hatsumi Soke is also the recipient of the following honors and titles: Honorary Texas Ranger, Title of Knighthood from Germany, and Blackbelt magazine's Instructor of the Year. He also holds Honorable Citizenship status from the state of Texas; Los Angeles, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Dublin, Ireland; etc... Grandmaster Hatsumi travels around the world teaching at international Tai Kai events hosted by senior Bujinkan students in their home countries. |
Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi was born in Noda City, Chiba prefecture on December 2, 1931. Grandmaster Hatsumi is the founder and International Director of the Bujinkan Dojo with its Hombu Dojo, the Bujinden (Divine Palace), residing in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He is married to his lovely wife, Mariko; a famous Japanese dance teacher and 10th dan director of women's training for the Bujinkan. He was 7 years old when he first held his father's wooden sword. From that moment, the martial arts of Japan became his passion and he studied everything he could, including Okinawan Karate (Zen-Bei Butokukai), Jukendo (rifle and bayonet combat) and western-style boxing. Additionally, he achieved teaching ranks in Judo, Kendo, Karate and Aikido. He took a break from martial arts for a while and focused on his academic studies, eventually graduating from Meiji University in Tokyo, with a major in theater studies and osteopathic medicine (bone doctor). Feeling a gap in his life, he again returned to the martial arts. Through dedication and perseverance, a young Hatsumi prevailed over much larger and older competitors to attain the rare honor, and high rank, of 4th degree black belt in Judo before his 20th birthday. Soon afterward, he was invited to teach Judo at an American military base. In no time, the Americans were able to develop a powerful style that enabled them to easily throw their Japanese seniors. Hatsumi began to question his training. Of what use were the combat arts if a bigger, stronger, more athletic opponent with little or no training, could negate years of martial practice? How could a person of smaller stature effectively defend him or herself? Hatsumi then turned to traditional Kobudo, or weapon arts. However, this was not the answer he sought. Upon learning all he could from one of his Kobudo masters, he was directed to seek out an old master in Nara Prefecture. Eventually he found himself at the doorstep of a man who would change his life and someday renew the world of martial arts, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, the last of the true Ninja. Takamatsu lived in Kashiwabara, on the far side of Japan. The trip to Kashiwabara took Hatsumi 15 hours by train. Every weekend he would make the long commute, starting on Friday night. He would return early Monday morning to see patients at his bone clinic. He continued to train in this manner for 15 years, until the time of his teacher's death. Through Takamatsu, Hatsumi learned the art of Taijutsu. This was what Hatsumi had been looking for. Here was a method of movement and distance that allowed an individual to defeat opponents who were much larger and stronger. He had found the essence of the true Bujutsu arts. Dr. Hatsumi inherited the nine schools that comprise the Bujinkan from Toshitsugu Takamatsu Soke shortly before Takamatsu's passing in 1972. Today these studies have become what we know of as the Bujinkan Dojo (Divine Warrior Training Hall). Hatsumi named his organization "Bujinkan" in honor of Takamatsu, whom he considered a Divine Warrior. Today, Grandmaster Hatsumi is the author of over a dozen books and over 40 videotapes on the art of Ninjutsu. He has been featured in almost every magazine relating to this subject in Japan, and throughout the world. He has authored countless magazine and newspaper articles. He wrote, directed and acted in 50 episodes of a television series called "Jiraya" which was rated the number one kid's program in Japan during its run. He is now what is called a historiographer of martial arts for various plays and movies, acting as a consultant to ensure that what is being portrayed is historically accurate. He is a past President of the Writers Guild of Japan. He is sought out as a speaker and television personality in Japan. He is an accomplished musician and singer who plays guitar and yukelale. For several years he played nightclubs in a Hawaiian band as a singer and musician. The walls of Soke Hatsumi's three-story brick home display an elaborate collection of signed photos from presidents and leaders from many countries around the world, along with awards, certificates, and honorary degrees from some of the most elite organizations in the world. Among them are Honorary Doctorate degrees from the USA in Human Sciences and Philosophy. Hatsumi Soke is also the recipient of the following honors and titles: Honorary Texas Ranger, Title of Knighthood from Germany, and Blackbelt magazine's Instructor of the Year. He also holds Honorable Citizenship status from the state of Texas; Los Angeles, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Dublin, Ireland; etc... Grandmaster Hatsumi travels around the world teaching at international Tai Kai events hosted by senior Bujinkan students in their home countries. |
The Essence of Ninjutsu "I believe that Ninpo, the higher order of Ninjutsu, should be offered to the world as a guiding influence for all martial artists. The physical and spiritual survival methods eventually immortalized by japan's Ninja were in fact one of the sources of Japanese martial arts. Without complete and total training in all aspects of combative arts, today's martial artist cannot hope to progress any further than mere proficiency in the limited set of muscular skills that make up his or her training system. Personal enlightenment can only come about through total immersion in the martial tradition as a way of living. By experiencing the confrontation of danger, the transcendence of fear of injury or death, and a working knowledge of individual personal powers and limitations, the practitioner of Ninjutsu can gain the strength and invincibility that permit enjoyment of the flowers moving in the wind, appreciation of the love of others, and contentment with the presence of peace in society. The attainment of this enlightenment is characterized by the development of jihi no kokoro, or "benevolent heart." Stronger than love itself, the benevolent heart is capable of encompassing all that constitutes universal justice and all that finds expression in the unfolding of the universal scheme. Born of the insight attained from repeated exposure to the very brink between life and death, Ninpo's benevolent heart is the key to finding harmony and understanding in the realms of the spiritual and natural material worlds. After so many generations of obscurity in the shadowy recesses of history, the life philosophy of the Ninja is now once again emerging, because once again, it is the time in human destiny in which Ninpo is needed. May peace prevail so that mankind may continue to grow and evolve into the next great plateau." Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi 34th Grandmaster of Togakure Ryu |
