History

Masaaki Hatsumi is the founder of the Bujinkan Dojo, with it's Hombu Dojo located in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Dr. Hatsumi inherited the nine schools that comprise the Bujinkan from the late Toshitsugu Takamatsu Soke shortly before Takamatsu's passing in 1972. Hatsumi named his organization Bujinkan (Devine Warrior Training Hall) in honor of Takamatsu, whom he considered a Devine Warrior.

Toshitsugu Takamatsu was known as Moko No Tora (Mongolian Tiger). Once while in the mountains of China, he was attacked by several bandits. One of the bandits grabbed Takamatsu around the waist. The bandit suddenly screamed, and letting go of Takamatsu, fell to the ground holding his face. Takamatsu later said he did not know what he had done to the man but, feeling something wet and warm in his hand, he realized he had plucked the man's eye out. He gave the bandit first aid and then charged him for his services.

After Takamatsu senseis' passing, Hatsumi sensei founded the Bujinkan Dojo which translates into "Divine Warrior Training Hall". The name was selected by Hatsumi sensei out of respect for Takamatsu sensei.

The Bujinkan is comprised of nine schools or ryuha.

Togakure-Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu (Ninjutsu)

Gyokko-Ryu Kosshijutsu

Koto-Ryu Koppojutsu

Shindenfudo-Ryu Dakentaijutsu

Gyokushin-Ryu Ninpo Happo Biken

Kukishinden-Ryu Dakentaijutsu Happo Bikken

Gikan-Ryu Koppo Taijutsu

Takagiyoshin-Ryu Jutaijutsu

Kumogakure-Ryu Ninpo Happo Bikken

The history of the schools is quite extensive and can be rather complicated to follow. At times during a schools history there were more than one family claiming to be the head of the school. Some of the scrolls, the writen history of the schools, were lost or destroyed over the years and during the war.

It becomes quite contriversial as to who was the head of the school at what time and whom it was passed on to. Some of the schools date back 900 years or more making it even harded to trace their lineage. Some of the newer schools have been well documented and trace thier history back to as recent as about 200 years ago.