Bujinkan Training Videos

we continue with our warmup series focusing on 棒振型 Bōfuri Gata. I described 詒変之構 ihen no kamae. This kamae is always sifting and changing. This means that bofurigata is always manifesting ihen.

my Bujinkan video as we continue with our warmup series focusing on 体変術無刀捕型 Taihenjutsu Mutōdori Gata.

I reminded my students that if you get in a sword fight and you don’t get cut, you are doing it wrong! Of course, this is kind of joke but it does suggest the proper attitude for muto dori.

we continue with our warmup series focusing on 八文字振り Hachimonji Furi and Ukemi with the hanbō. We practiced rolling with the weapon from 膝行 shikkō. This improves form, kamae, and strengthening of the legs and hips.

Rolling with any weapon requires that you have full control over your own body. The weapon should not be an encumbrance, or obstacle for your roll. This can only happen through practice and perfection of ukemi.

my Bujinkan video continuing with our warmup series focusing on the proper distance for 小太刀 kodachi. Kodachi is one of the weapons of juppo sessho along with jutte, tessen, and kunai.

my Bujinkan video warming up with a Gyokko Ryu training drill for 基本八法 Kihon Happo flow. I first learned this training drill in 2001 when Hatsumi Sensei set the yearly theme as Gyokko Ryu. This drill expects that you already know the basic form of each of the kihon happo.

my Bujinkan video of a typical class warmup with 基本八法 Kihon Happō. Every training session begins with one half hour of warmup. We use this time to get our bodies moving while studying basics.

four 半棒術 hanbōjutsu kihon of 附入 tsuke iri; 腰折 koshi ori; 鬼砕 oni kudaki; and 巌石落 ganseki otoshi. My student Jesse led us off with his presentation of each one. In my classes, I encourage my students to lead the warmup sessions for their own learning and growth.

my Bujinkan video exploring three 半棒術 hanbōjutsu kihon of 腕搦み ude garami, 腕返し ude gaeshi, and 竹折り take ori. I began class with a review of 腕搦み ude garami from last time. The opponent grabs your wrist to control your use of the weapon. The kanji 搦 suggests that we bind our opponent. This happens with the very weapon he seeks to control. Hatsumi Sensei has advised us to let the opponent have what they want. This leads to their self-destruction.

my Bujinkan video exploring 三心飛び Sanshin Tobi. We begin with 初心五型 Shoshin Gokei and 地の型 Chi No Kata. Then you add the tobi. With 地の型 Chi No Kata I emphasized leaping with the rhythm of sanshin.

my Bujinkan video exploring the Kata 狼倒 Rōtō. My focus is not the form. We use it as a starting place to explore ideas from this year’s theme connected to my studies in Japan.

my Bujinkan video exploring the waza 捻り返し hineri gaeshi. The feeling of nagare continued with unarmed taijutsu. We deliver a whirling strike with koppo ken to kasumi. It is both an attack and evasion in the same twist, or 捻り hineri.

my video exploring the Bujinkan Fists 指針拳 shi shin ken and 指端拳 shitan ken. We continued our study of 宝拳十六法 hōken juroppō with 指針拳 shi shin ken. This is a strike with the little finger. In Japan, if you form this fist, a local might think you are using your wife (or mistress) as an excuse to avoid partying with him. Of course, if a yakuza makes this sign, he might indicate the mistress has been beheaded!