Introduction to the Bujinkan

Guidelines For Participation In 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 with 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 mental 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 trouble makers 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 hearts to better themselves through training and friendship. It evinces the glory of warrior virtue, and embodies both loyalty and brotherly love.

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:

To know that patience comes first.
To know that the path of Man comes from justice.
To renounce avarice, indolence, and obstinacy.
To recognize sadness and worry as natural, and to seek the immovable heart.
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.

Kyu levels: beginners
First to Fifth dan: Ten (heaven)
Fifth to Tenth dan: Chi (earth)
Tenth to Fifteenth dan: Jin (person)

The eleventh to fifteenth dan are broken into Chi (earth), Sui (water), Ka (fire), Fu (wind) and Ku (emptiness); the Happo Biken will be taught at these levels. The fifth dan test shall only be administered under 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.

Those not upholding the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out of the Bujinkan.

The Bujinkan Dojo
Soke: Masaaki Hatsumi — Title: Hisamune
All correspondence must be authorised by Shidoshi only.

“All members should own every copy of the Hombu's publications, and read and re-read them consistently as part of your training. Reading them soon after you join, a year later, and then several years after that, will afford you different, and more advanced interpretations and feelings. The Hombu's publications also contain information concerning the worldwide practice of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu and the various materials (printed, video, or otherwise) available for training.” —Masaaki Hatsumi Soke

Bujinkan Southwest Dojo Guidelines

Students should bow upon entering and leaving the Dojo.
At the dojo, change from your street clothes and put on a training uniform (a shinobi dogi if possible). This will help you shed outside concerns and focus on the current tasks ahead – Budo Taijutsu training. Remember – this is a dojo and not a gymnasium.
The class is opened and closed with an important formal ceremony. It is important to be on time and participate in this reverence ceremony. If you are unavoidably late you should always wait until ceremony is completed before entering the dojo. This is not religious worship, but a sign of reverence for the tradition of our art. If this practice conflicts with personal, religious, or cultural beliefs you do not have to participate in rei-ho (this specific etiquette).
Senior students are responsible for making all new students and guests feel welcome and at home in the dojo. Seniors should keep a watchful eye for things that could potentially be harmful to those in the dojo. By doing so, they can help prevent injury, wrong-doing, rude behavior or anything else that could negatively affect the dojo, or Bujinkan.
Words in the dojo can be meaningless or can kill like the sword. One must be ever-mindful of his or her actions. Insults or swearing is not tolerated. Furthermore, excessively using empty words such as “I wish I could” or “I’m sorry” are unnecessary. Ultimately, actions speak louder than your words, so therefore determination, enthusiasm, and intentions are most important. All members of the Bujinkan represent the Bujinkan inside and outside of the dojo.
Never use or bring illegal drugs into the dojo. Intoxication in the dojo is NOT tolerated. If you have a prescribed medication, let your teacher know prior to training.
It is always better to ask before doing things that involve your training, or the dojo; e.g. using your own or another’s weapons without permission, or answering cellphones, etc. Do not assume! This is excellent preparation for all students who are planning on training in Japan.
It is very poor etiquette to question a teacher's or senior rank’s authority or technical knowledge, and especially so during a class. If you are confused about something, ask respectfully. Don't insist on your point of view. Question your training. If it does not feel good, bring it to your teacher’s attention so he/she can help you with this. Your teacher will not ask you to do something he/she has not done, or is or not doing.
With rank comes more responsibility.
Sojido ‘mindful cleaning’ should be done at the end of every class without waiting for instructions. Senior ranks should ensure such actions have been undertaken.
When given homework please do it. If you are asked to complete a task to contribute to the dojo please do it swiftly. We are each only as good as our word.
Take your teacher’s suggestions about your training seriously, and to heart.
Other important aspects of etiquette deal with more commonplace concerns. Please remember to pay your fees on time at the end of every session. It is easy in our enjoyment of Budo to sometimes forget our responsibilities to our instructors, and the Bujinkan.
Never forget that you are part of an ancient tradition, and there is good reason for everything you are shown and told.

The very object of Budo study is to cultivate character, enrich the ability to make valued, mindful judgments, and to foster a well disciplined and capable individual through participation in physical and mental training utilizing martial techniques. When practicing, one must constantly adhere to the fundamentals, and resist the temptation to pursue mere technical skill rather than the unity of mind and technique. Please cultivate temperate attitudes. Be patient!

The dojo is a sacred place for training one's mind and body. Here, one must maintain discipline, proper etiquette, and formality where necessary. The training area must be a clean and safe environment. ~ And one of enjoyment and happiness too. In order to be an effective passer of knowledge, the senior rank should always strive to cultivate his/her character, and further his/her own skill and discipline of mind and body. He/She should not be influenced by the notion of winning or losing, or display arrogance about his/her greater skill, but rather he/she should preserve the attitudes suitable for a role-model.