The Bujinkan organization was formed in the early 1970's as the umbrella organization under which Souke ("Grandmaster") Hatsumi Masaaki transmits the teachings of the martial arts ryu-ha ("traditions / schools") which he in turn received from his teacher. These ryu-ha follow an unbroken lineage back through hundreds of years of Japanese history. The roots of the ryu-ha themselves are said to be 3,000 years old.

Although Hatsumi Sensei possesses the densho ("scrolls") which designate him as the grandmaster of many different martial schools, the Bujinkan itself is officially comprised of the following 9 ryu-ha:

Gyokko Ryu	"Jewel Tiger School"
Koto Ryu	"Tiger Knock-down School"
Takagi Yoshin Ryu	"High-Tree Raise-Heart School"
Shinden Fudo Ryu	"Divine Transmission Immovable School"
Gikan Ryu	"Regard for Justice School"
Kukishinden Ryu	"9 Demons Divine Transmission School"
Gyokushin Ryu	"Jewel Heart School"
Kumogakure Ryu	"Concealing Clouds School"
Togakure Ryu	"Concealing Door School"

These schools were formed during the centuries of civil war which preceded the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603. Their teachings have not been watered down for the sake of sporting applications, as is the case with most other Japanese martial practices, but have been faithfully handed down as methods for dealing with real-life conflict-resolution situations.

There are therefore no tournaments or other such sporting events in the Bujinkan. Training is mainly done through study and practice of various combat situations against 1 or more opponents, either empty-handed or with an endless variety of tools. Training is done in a safe and controlled manner in most Bujinkan dojo, so injuries are rare.

Refer to the following websites for more detailed Bujinkan information:

Official English Site:	http://www.bujinkan.com/
Japan Training Schedule:	http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/bujinkan/
Discussion Forum, Japan Accommodation, Etc.:	http://bujinkan.graycastle.com/

* About the Bujinkan Gurei Dojo

At Bujinkan Shiraishi Dojo

I started the Bujinkan Gray Dojo in July of 2000 after over a year of repeated encouragement from Hatsumi Sensei and Shiraishi Sensei to do so. I was very reluctant to start a training group because I did not want to set myself up as a teacher. After being told that instructing and experimenting on my own was beneficial to development as a martial artist, I finally took my teachers' advice, and it has proved to be valuable. I was told by Sensei to attach my own name to the dojo as this is what the Japanese Shihan do, which shows their personal responsibility for the dojo.

Since 2002 I have regularly been invited to give seminars overseas, and have continued to do so several times a year. This "shugyo" has been great training myself and has allowed me to serve the Bujinkan by sharing the feeling of training in Japan with others. The international nature of the Bujinkan is one of its greatest strengths, and I am very grateful to Hatsumi Sensei for providing an environment that makes this international exchange possible. I have made so many good friends through the Bujinkan over the years and can only say a heartfelt thank-you to Sensei for this.