Styles

What are the different styles of Ninpo / Ninjustu?

Broadly speaking there are 4 styles of Ninpo / Ninjutsu taught in the UK

Each of these styles teaches similar techniques and the associated organisations are made up of people who sincerely want to teach & learn real martial arts. The differences are largely ones of emphasis and teaching style. I would suggest that any prospective student visits dojos of each style in their area and chooses the class that best suits them personally.

Bujinkan

This is the art as taught by Dr Masaaki Hatsumi (and the style taught at this dojo)

Dr Hatsumi was a direct student of Toshitsugu Takamatsu who is the ultimate source of all styles considered here. Dr Hatsumi is Mr Takamatsu's chosen successor (Soke) of the nine schools of martial arts that he owned.

Genbukan

This is the art as taught by Mr Shoto Tanemura

Mr Tanemura was orginally a student of Dr Hatsumi and was graded 8th dan in the Bujinkan system. He also learnt martial arts from several other respected teachers in Japan. He left the Bujinkan in 1984 and set up his own organisation called the Genbukan. He studied under other students of Takamatsu after leaving the Bujinkan.

Jinenkan

This is the art as taught by Mr Fumio Manaka

Mr Manaka was one of Dr Hatsumi's original students and one of the most senior members of the Bujinkan until in 1996 he decided to leave and set up his own organisation called the Jinenkan. He held 10th dan in the Bujinkan.

BBD (Bujinkan Brian Dojo)

This is the art as taught by Brian Mcarthy

Brian was one of the senior teachers in the UK & Ireland in the Bujinkan and was graded 8th Dan until he decided to leave the Bujinkan in the 90's and continue his training without the guidance of Dr Hatsumi.