TOPICS COVERED IN OUR DOJO

 

One of the main goals of training in the  Bujinkan Butoku Dojo is to understand and develop the "universal principles" that are necessary for any, and all, techniques to work properly and efficiently and, with a minimum of speed and muscle strength. This is accomplished by careful study and absorption, of an endless variety of skills and techniques, and not by "memorizing", in a robot like fashion, a limited number of "textbook" Kata or techniques.

We train in all methods of unarmed and armed fighting, as described below. This allows us the option to choose the specific skill, or set of skills, that are best suited to successfully manage an aggressive or attacking person, or persons, and in the most appropriate and legal manner possible. Our training goes far beyond standard "physical", or hands-on skills. We place great emphasis on one's ability to use appropriate awareness skills, communication skills, and tactics on a continuous and ongoing manner. Our belief is that self-defense training must include the "before", "during" and "after" stages of a potential attack.

 

In addition, training must include physical skills, legal/civil considerations, and also help prepare the student for the potential psychological effects of an attack, or a lethal force encounter. This includes the effects to the student, and close family members alike.

 

The following is a general outline of the skills taught in the  Bujinkan Butoku Dojo. While the core material used and taught here originate from the Bujinkan system, other skills are presented,  at times, in order to round out or complete the very few areas that not addressed by the Bujinkan teachings. This is not a complete list, but should provide a general indication of the topics covered.

Unarmed Skills

· Taijutsu (combat efficient body movement)

· Jutaijutsu

· Joint Locks

· Grabs

· Newaza (ground skills)

· Nage (throws)

· Shime (chokes)

· Daken Taijutsu (striking skills)

· Kyusho (pressure points)

Armed Skills

· Modern and Traditional Weapons

· Staffed Weapons (Hanbo, Jo, Bo, etc.)

· Edged Weapons (Katana - long sword, Wakazashi - short sword, Tanto - knives, modern edged weapons)

· Flexible Weapons

· Teppo (firearms - handguns & long guns)

 

Related Skills

· Offensive and Defensive Skills

· Mental Awareness and Sensitivity Skills

· Multiple Opponents

· Legal Considerations

· Psychological Considerations

· Use of Force Options

· Critical Incident Stress Management

 

This varied training is based on the nine (9) Ryu (schools or styles) that make up the Bujinkan Dojo. Each Ryu is considered, by some, to be a Koryu, or ancient school, and is not of modern origins, as many martial arts are today. This is a very important distinction. Historically most, if not all, Koryu studied all the different methods of fighting, for one never knew which skills an opponent may possess. They knew that specializing in one method of fighting, to the detriment of others, was a very dangerous practice then, just as it is today.

 

Some martial arts limit themselves to a few self defense skills or methods. For example, as a general rule, and obviously there are exceptions, many karate styles concentrate on punching and kicking as their primary means of self defense. Many grappling systems concentrate on wrestling someone to the ground, where they control t hem. There are circumstances in which either one of these methods would be inadequate, unsafe, and sometimes lethal. So, if one studies a martial art that teaches from a very limited curriculum, there are many circumstances in which those skills are not the best skills available for managing a particular type of attacker and attack.

 

In the Bujinkan system,  we continue to study and train in all forms of fighting. Our belief is that it is vital to have as much training and experience as possible. For it is only then, that we truly have the option of selecting the best possible self-defense methods with which to successfully manage the unique circumstances that surround each specific confrontation. This is, perhaps, one of the reasons the nine (9) Ryu of the Bujinkan has survived for hundreds of  years.