Bujinkan lineage: fact or fiction, somewhere inbetween?

[hawkmed]

Hey all,
I'm new to bullshido and a previous practicioner of Bujinkan budo taijutsu (previously called Bujinkan Ninjutsu) of 9 years. I started at 14 years old, so I was fairly isolated from any discussions that this may not be genuine. After I started Judo, I realized some of the disbelief thats out there about Hatsumi's claims. So, I've looked into some but it seems that while I have seen that what I learned of ryu such as kukishin ryu and shinden fudo ryu looks authentic, I can't find any proof of Togakure's existence outside of the system. Is this whole thing just a farce or the lies of Hatsumi? Did he mix legitmate styles with hooplah for money?

[shinbushi]

Use the Search function noob

[hawkmed]

I found some good articles after searching through some unhelpful bashing. I feel violated. Now I want kobudo without the bullshinkan.

[shinbushi]

Why do want to train in kobudo (I assume you me Japanese and not Ryukyu)?
Outside of Japan real ones are hard to find, though California has 2 high level ones. If you train in judo pick a striking style. If you want the classical weapons training, some Bujinkan schools are good for that.

[Virus]

I'll oblige the opening post.

Some of the ryu in the bujinkan are valid, kukishinden ryu and takagi-yoshin ryu are legit. I'm not sure about the others but the "ninjitsu" schools, togakure, kumogakure and gikkan are not recognised as real koryu, and can't be traced back any further than takamatsu. It was written in a certian edition of the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten that takamatsu made up togakure out of childhood ninja games. A few recent articles have surfaced on various forums alleging that "ninjitsu" was added becuase it was impossible to compete for attention with the kokdokan. One thing is for certian, you can look as hard as you want, you won't uncover anything about togakure which doesn't come from the bujinkan/takamatsu.

[Plasma]

Use the Search function noob

The JMA forum is new, I approve a new thread on this that can be moderated.

[Plasma]

I'll oblige the opening post.

Some of the ryu in the bujinkan are valid, kukishinden ryu and takagi-yoshin ryu are legit. I'm not sure about the others but the "ninjitsu" schools, togakure, kumogakure and gikkan are not recognised as real koryu, and can't be traced back any further than takamatsu. It was written in a certian edition of the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten that takamatsu made up togakure out of childhood ninja games. A few recent articles have surfaced on various forums alleging that "ninjitsu" was added becuase it was impossible to compete for attention with the kokdokan. One thing is for certian, you can look as hard as you want, you won't uncover anything about togakure which doesn't come from the bujinkan/takamatsu.

You mean Togakure-ryu, Kumogakure-ryu and Gyokushin-ryu

Gikan-ryu(義鑑流) is a Koppojutsu lineage that is taught through Akimoto family.

[Plasma]

Hey all,
I'm new to bullshido and a previous practicioner of Bujinkan budo taijutsu (previously called Bujinkan Ninjutsu) of 9 years. I started at 14 years old, so I was fairly isolated from any discussions that this may not be genuine. After I started Judo, I realized some of the disbelief thats out there about Hatsumi's claims. So, I've looked into some but it seems that while I have seen that what I learned of ryu such as kukishin ryu and shinden fudo ryu looks authentic, I can't find any proof of Togakure's existence outside of the system. Is this whole thing just a farce or the lies of Hatsumi? Did he mix legitmate styles with hooplah for money?

The 9 Ryu-Ha

Kukishin(den)-ryu & Takagi Yoshin-ryu

Legimate Ko-ryu that traditional are taught and handed down together. There are a load of lineage charts for them most of them correct.


Gyokko-ryu & Koto-ryu

Sister ko-ryu arts from the Momochi clan in Iga. There are a few lineage since Takamastu Takamatsu Toshitsugu including the students of Ueno Takashi

Shinden Fudo-ryu

Again a Ko-ryu art with quite a few lineages.


Togakure-ryu & Kumogakure-ryu & Gyokushin-ryu

Ninjutsu Ryu-Ha that are NOT Ko-ryu they are gendai budo that are basis of them are older scrolls and technique salavaged through research primarily. The oldest which was created by Takamatsu in the 50s. The other 2 have no record past Hatsumi.

Gikan-ryu

Koppojutsu lineage taught through the Akimoto family.

[hawkmed]

Ninjew:
Just to clarify, it is thought that Hatsumi manufactured these styles (komogakure ryu and Gyokushin ryu)? We were told that Hatsumi is a star of the kodokan, does he have any standing in Japan?
While I plan to continue to studying Judo, I do miss some of more integrated throwing techniques of the Bujinkan in which strikes are used to set up throws. Could you suggest a Japanese kobudo that does this? I have considered traveling to the UNC to study Daito ryu Aikijujutsu, but I have wondered if this was a battlefield tested system? I have read some things that suggest that this was more of an aristocratic art. Another possibility is Tanemura's brand of jujutsu (Kokusai), but I also don't know of its roots, and I haven't found much written about it.

[Virus]

We were told that Hatsumi is a star of the kodokan, does he have any standing in Japan?

He's not a star of the kodokan and even if he was, he's tarnished any such status by starting a ninja school for naieve westerners. Amongst historians the ninja are seen as a bit silly and cartoonish which is why very few of them take self-styled "ninjas" seriously.

One of our members, Mongo, informs us that Hatsumi isn't very highly regarded by respectable koryu and judo masters in Japan. I'd be interested in hearing some of the things he has heard them say during his time in Japan.