The Bujinkan is a new martial arts organization established by Masaaki Hatsumi Soke, the Founder, in the last 30 years. Translated, Bujinkan means "Hall of the Divine Warrior." Hatsumi Soke gave it this name to honour his teacher, Takamatsu Toshitsugu, was the first person to receive the title Soke in all of the nine Ryu of Bujinkan and which have histories dating from the eighth century. The teachings of these schools have been handed down in direct teacher/disciple relationships throughout a lineage of some two hundred and one Soke.
Bujutsu is a classical martial arts system, pre 1600's, whilst Ninjutsu is a section within Bujutsu. To think of Ninjustu as a system outside of Bujutsu would be wrong, as would thinking of the Bujinkan Dojo teaching only Ninjutsu.
Masaaki Hatsumi received the teachings of the nine schools of the Bujinkan from Takamatsu Toshitsugu. Takamatsu Sensei received these teachings from three sources: Toda Shinryuken, Ishitani Matsutaro, and Mizuta Yoshitaro. A brief description of each school is essential to an understanding of the Bujinkan as a whole.
Unlike other forms of martial training such as Karate, Judo, Kendo, Taekwondo etc., those of the Bujinkan were formed as far back at 1603 on the battlefields of Japan by the Takugawa Shogunate. 250 years of peace followed these battles and as warriors found their skills were no longer required, they started following more humanitarian path. The arts founded during this time of peace held perfection of character more important that effective combat skills.
The Bujinkan is unique in that combat effectiveness is still held at the highest level, and techniques are not being diluted to accommodate safety. This means that there is no tournament competition, as techniques are studied for real-life situations only. Particpants generally practice with a partner, taking turns performing the role of uke (receiver of a technique). The instructor will typically demonstrate a basic technique with an uke at the beginning of class, and the students will pair up and attempt the technique just shown. As the class progresses, numerous henka (variations) of the basic technique will be shown.
The reasoning behind this as I have already explained is that the Bujinkan is for real life. With this training a student will learn to instantly create a technique from nothing, should they need to. Real life situations very rarely play themselves out as a kata performed in class.
Training with a happy heart is stressed as important in the Bujinkan. Before his death, Takamatsu told Hatsumi Sensei just how important it is:
The way to experience happiness is to let go of all worries and regrets and know that being happy is the most satisfying of life's feelings. Reflect back on all the progress in your life and allow the positive, creative, and joyous thoughts to outshine and overwhelm any sorrow or grief. Happiness is waiting there in front of you. Only you can decide whether or not you choose to experience it.