Suggestion for Bujinkan Teachers
As with being a member of the Shidoshi Kai and Buyu Kai, following these guidelines is voluntary (but strongly recommended). These are the principles upon which our mission is founded. If anyone does not abide by the guidelines, they cannot consider themselves a member and will be removed from these listings.
1. Members of the Shidoshi Kai and Buyu Kai must obtain a current Bujinkan Hombu Shidoshi Kai and Buyu Kai membership from Hatsumi Sensei or a Dai-Shihan.
(There can be no exceptions to this rule as all Bujinkan Shidoshi teachers and Shidoshi-ho assistant teachers are required to be Hombu members in order to teach and offer rank to their students.)
2. Compliance with the Rules of the Bujinkan as set forth by Hatsumi Sensei.
3. Teaching in accordance with Tenchijin Ryaku no Maki. Especially regarding the basics of Ukemi, Sanshin no Kata and Kihon Happo as the foundation for instructing new students.
4. While there is no standardization of rank structure in the Bujinkan, Shidoshi Kai and Buyu Kai members use the contents of the Tenchijin Ryaku no Maki as a foundation in which to rank students.
5. Students should be ranked in proper time. Hatsumi Sensei has mentioned that it should take at least two (2) years to attain shodan level, so that is set as a minimum guideline.
6. In general, following the course and direction in which training is being shown by Hatsumi Sensei in Japan. All Shidoshi and Shidoshi-ho should attend annual Bujinkan Tai Kai, Daikomyosai or Hombu (Japan) training events. Training directly with Hatsumi Sensei annually is highly recommended.
7. Support the Bujinkan Dojo through participation in local Bujinkan seminars and through the purchase of Bujinkan related books, videos, and newsletters.
8. In accordance with Hatsumi Sensei’s statements, do not train with individuals in either the Genbukan or the Jinenkan Organizations.
9. Finally, members of the American Shidoshi Kai set forth that they will try to work together with warrior’s hearts.
Rules of the Bujinkan
The Bujinkan shall be open to only those who agree with and uphold the guidelines of the Bujinkan Dojo. Those not doing so shall not be allowed to join.
Specifically:
Only those who have read and agreed to these guidelines shall be allowed to participate.
Only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication shall be allowed to participate.
A physician’s examination report shall be required. Specifically, individuals with mental illness, drug addiction, or mentally instability shall be barred from joining. The necessity of such a report concerns individuals who may present a danger to others, for example, those with infectious diseases or illnesses, individuals with clinically abnormal personalities or physiology, and individuals lacking self-control.
Individuals with criminal records shall be turned away. Troublemakers, those who commit crimes, and those living in Japan who break domestic laws shall be turned away.
Those not upholding the guidelines of the Bujinkan, either as practitioners or as members of society, by committing disgraceful or reproachable acts shall be expelled. Until now, the Bujinkan was open to large numbers of people who came to Japan. Among them, unfortunately, were those committing violent drunken acts, the mentally ill, and troublemakers who thought only of themselves and failed to see how their actions might adversely affect others. Through their actions, such people were discarding the traditional righteous heart of the Bujinkan. From this day forward, all such people shall be expelled.
Regarding accidents occurring during training (both inside and outside the dojo), one should not cause trouble to the Bujinkan. This is an extremely important point. Those unwilling to take personal responsibility for accidents occurring during Bujinkan training shall not be admitted. Reiterating for clarity, the Bujinkan shall not take responsibility for any accidents happening in the course of training, regardless of the location.
All those joining the Bujinkan must get an annual member’s card. This card not only preserves the honor of the Bujinkan members, it indicates you are part of a larger whole — one whose members come together with warrior’s hearts to better themselves through training and friendship. It evinces the glory of warrior virtue and embodies both loyalty and brotherly love.
All members must have a membership card for the year, issued by the Hombu. There are two types of membership card: General Membership Card and Shidoshi Kai Membership Card:
(i) The General Membership Card applies to members of the Bujinkan Dojo, whether ungraded, kyu-grade or dan-grade.
(ii) The Shidoshi Kai Membership Card applies to those of Fifth Dan and above (called Shidoshi), and those from First to Fourth Dan (called Shidoshi-ho). Members who are teaching should possess one of these cards. Non-Shidoshi Kai members are not recognized as teachers and cannot grade students.
All memberships must be renewed every year.
Membership of the Shidoshi Kai of Fifth Dan and above may apply to the Hombu for licenses up to Fourth Dan, and may award these to their students. Members over Fifth Dan are promoted personally by Soke, who will judge them on their technique, character, and integrity. (Update: As of 2002, Hatsumi Sensei has given direct permission to certain individuals to administer the godan test.)
Only membership cards and licenses issued by the Bujinkan Dojo Hombu will be recognized as valid. People issuing “fake” membership cards and/or certificates will face expulsion from the Bujinkan Dojo.
The “Bujin” symbol is copyright. If planning to use it, you must contact the Hombu first for permission.
The tradition of the Bujinkan recognizes nature and the universality of all human life, and is aware of that which flows naturally between the two parts:
“The secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the foundations of peace.
To study is the path to the immovable heart (fudoshin).”
The Code Of The Dojo:
1. To know that patience comes first.
2. To know that the path of Man comes from justice.
3. To renounce avarice, indolence, and obstinacy.
4. To recognize sadness and worry as natural, and
to seek the immovable heart.
5. To not stray from the path of loyalty and brotherly
love, and to delve always deeper into the heart of Budo.
To follow this code is part of the dojo’s guidelines.
Meiji 23 (1890) Spring, Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu
Showa 33 (1958) March, Takamatsu Toshitsugu Uou
Hatsumi Masaaki Byakuryu
Initial Training Begins With Taijutsu:
Kyu levels: beginners
First to Fifth dans: Ten (heaven)
Fifth to Tenth dans: Chi (earth)
Tenth to Fifteenth dans: Jin (person)
The eleventh to fifteenth dans are broken into Chi (earth), Sui (water), Ka (fire), Fu (wind) and Ku (the void); the Happo Hiken will be taught at these levels. The fifth dan test shall only be administered by Soke. True shihan can be given fifteenth dan.
Recently, the Bujinkan has become truly international. Just as there are various time zones, so exist various taboos among the world’s peoples and nations. We must respect each other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must put the heart of the warrior first, working together for self-improvement and for the betterment of the Bujinkan.
Communication with the Hombu must be in Japanese. This is to help all business run smoothly now that the Bujinkan has become international.
Those not upholding the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out of the Bujinkan.