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.
my Bujinkan Kuden describing How I Prepare for Class with the 十手 Jutte. I probably prepare more than most Bujinkan teachers. In fact I spend 1-2 hours before every training session following 6 steps.
First I had everyone review what they know about 裏小手逆 Ura Kote Gyaku. All the students had good lessons to share.
my Bujinkan unboxing video of a book by 木葉幸四郎 Kiba Kōshirō. One day I was on a long distance call with my original teacher, Peter Crocoll. I often call him to chat about various aspects of training including all the Japan news. And we often discuss what each of us are studying in our own dojos. He was working on the beginning of 九鬼神流 Kukishin Ryū 棒術 bōjutsu.
We warmed up with 玉返 tama gaeshi. We studied 3 versions of this kata: The version found in Hatsumi Sensei’s bojutsu book; Then the version shown on his bojutsu video; and also the version found in the densho. Which version you take as the “true” one is on you. I explained to my students that...
Before and after my Chicago Bujinkan Seminar I discuss Bujinkan Densho and some of the misconceptions surrounding them. 伝承 Denshō are meant to be combined with kuden. This is the in and yo for training balance. 伝承者 denshō-sha may encounter problems because the densho themselves are vague. Books are full of mistakes. Bujinkan Videos (even...