This morning in Japan, I got up early to visit 蛇窪神社 Hebikubo Jinja, “Snake Hollow” shrine. Since 2025 is the year of the snake, I had to visit the white snake.
Today I had class with Nagase and Furuta 先生方. I wake up early these days. So I made some coffee with an AeroPress in my hotel room. Then I went out...
I began this day by catching a train to the Bujinkan Honbu Dojo for a class with Furuta Sensei. In the past few years I’ve been able to train with him quite a bit. And each class gives me a little more insight into the gokui of 雲隠流 Kumogakure Ryū and Ninjutsu.
I got up early for a long train ride to 石神井城跡 Shakujiijō ato. I wanted to investigate the ruins of Shakujii castle. This also gave me some time for reflection on my training here in Japan and to add more detail to my training notes.
My Bujinkan video covering the idea of 武器を友達成る Buki Wo Tomodachi Naru. Hatsumi Sensei told us in one class to make weapons your friends. The idea was that you get so familiar with your weapons they become like close friends. When you know them so well you use them fluidly or in unconventional ways.
I began the morning in a hurry because I had to get to the dojo early. My days in Japan are very busy. I run and gun to fit in all of the classes, recording my video reports in between. And I still have to find time for food, laundry, sleep, as well as tourism and shopping.
I was invited to Furuta Sensei’s home dojo out in the countryside. He is very generous and picked us up from the train station. The only problem is that he plays a Lady Gaga CD on repeat during the drive.
On this day of my Bujinkan Japan Training trip, I began with a visit to the the 月野宮神社 Tsukinomiya Jinja Flea Market. There, I found an impromptu concert from a local guy with a guitar. And I also found many antique swords, jutte, and miscellaneous weapons.
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.