Although most people may be more familiar with ninjas from Hollywood movies, the martial art of ninjutsu is still alive and being taught today. The mystique of the ninja and the legends of their fighting ability, and their stealth and subterfuge techniques have made ninjutsu a popular art. Many schools in America and the West today are affiliated to or can trace their lineage from a number of schools in Japan that claim to be descended from the ninja clans.
Bujinkan
The Bujinkan dojo is probably the best-known ninjutsu school in the world, with branches all over the world. Masaaki Hatsumi is the head of the school, who became grandmaster of the nine separate styles of martial arts that make up the Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu school of jinjutsu. These schools cover striking, bone and joint manipulation, throwing and grappling, weaponry, as well as strategies, tactics and stealth techniques associated with ninjutsu. Hatsumi learned his art from the previous grandmaster, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Hatsumi was the first to allow students from the West to the Bujinkan headquarters, who then went on to spread the ninja tradition in the west. While the Bunjinkan teaches techniques, Hatsumi emphasizes developing feeling and understanding of concepts, choosing a new theme every year that the whole Bujinkan studuies.
To-Shin Do
The To-Shin Do school was founded by Stephen K Hayes in 1997. Hayes was a senior student of Masaaki Hatsumi, training with him in Japan since 1975. After being awarded his 10th degree black belt by Hatsumi, he decided to form his own martial art based on his knowledge of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, with a new emphasis on adapting traditional ninjutsu to modern situations such as those involving firearms. While Hayes is no longer officially linked to the Bujinkan, he describes his style as being his greatest possible tribute to his teacher. To-Shin Do is taught through Hayes' Quest centers.
Genbukan
The Genbukan school of ninjutsu was founded by Shoto Tanemura after splitting away from the Bujinkan and his original teacher, Masaaki Hatsumi. After the split, Tanemura began training with other students who had trained under Hatsumi's teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Tanemura believed that Hatsumi's teachings were not in keeping with the traditions of ninjutsu, necessitating the split. Tanemura's Genbukan school focuses on preserving traditional ninjutsu in the Japanese style.
Other Schools
Other schools of ninjutsu exist, however many of them are also offshoots of the Bujinkan or the Genbukan. Others have less clear tradition or lineage, so their authenticity may be doubtful. Notable schools that have been found to have no link to known ninjutsu traditions include schools led by Frank Dux and Ashida Kim. Most other schools have a link to the Bujinkan, Genbukan or To-Shin Do.
References
- Bujinkan Honbu
- "Ninjutsu: History and Tradition"; Masaaki Hatsumi; 1981
- Stephen K Hayes: Biography
- Quest Center: To-Shin Do
- Genbukan: Overview
- "Classical Bujutsu: The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan"; Donn Draeger; 2007
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