Bujinkan Training Videos

My Bujinkan video exploring the strategy of 出離の棒 Shutsuri No Bō. During the last few years when Hatsumi Sensei was actively training, he did mutō dori against the Bō in almost every class. He told us this idea of shutsuri as a way to detach and be free of the attack from the Bō.

My Bujinkan video exploring 半棒結び Hanbō Musubi. This came from one of my classes in Japan when Hatsumi Sensei tied up his opponent’s with the hanbō

exploring the kata 月肝 Gekkan. We began class with a review of 神傳不動流 Shinden Fudō Ryū kamae and the fundamentals of striking. Hatsumi Sensei shared a wordplay changing 構え Kamae to 化 前 Ka mae. He said this to suggest kamae was “the moment before change.” I think that is a great way to understand the idea of kamae.

My Bujinkan video exploring the kata 逆捕 Gyaku Dori. We warmed up with the kihon of 表逆突 Omote Gyaku Tsuki. We focused on controlling with the guarding hand and pivoting around that center.

My Bujinkan video exploring the kata 柳骨 Ryūkotsu. The literal translation of this name is willow and bone. But kotsu also means a secret skill. So, the definition I prefer is the secret of the willow.

My Bujinkan video exploring 膝車 Hiza Guruma. There is more than one version of this kata. We focused on the variation where your kick is a form of 虚実 kyojitsu.

My Bujinkan Kuden about the strategy of 阿吽の呼吸 Aun'nokokyū. Aun is the Japanese word for Om, which is the idea of breathing in and out to represent beginning and ending. Kokyū also means breathing but when combined with Aun, it means harmonizing or being in sync with the opponent.

my Bujinkan video exploring 三法切り Sanpō Giri. I learned these three methods of sword cutting from Hatsumi Sensei. Soke called them 敲く切り Hataku Kiri, 引き切り Hiki Kiri, and 押し切り Oshi Kiri.

My Bujinkan video exploring 腰投鎌 Koshi Nage Gakari. We warmed up with some 組打 kumiuchi drills. We used this grappling and balance exercise to discover openings for kihon.

my Bujinkan Kuden sharing Tenchijin strategy. When I was in Japan last month, Nagase Sensei used the lens of tenchijin to teach us many lessons. In this video I share a few.

my Bujinkan video exploring Togakure Ryū Biken with Dato no Ken. It’s basically two quick strikes in succession. First, strike with the 棟 mune to disarm or open up the target. Then the second strike is a kesa giri to finish the job.

My Bujinkan video with the latest training updates from Japan. I begin with a visit to 上野東照宮 Ueno Tōshōgū. This shrine was built in 1627, and enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu.