Toshitsugu Takamatsu (高松 寿嗣)
AKA "The Mongolian Tiger"
-33rd Soke, 1888-1972

Toshitsugu Takamatsu was born March 1st, 1888. He is regarded to be the last combat ninja in history. He learned Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術), Gyokko-ryū Kosshijutsu (玉虎流骨指術), Shinden Fudō-ryū Dakentaijutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術), Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu (虎倒流骨法術), Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法) and Kumogakure-ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法) from his grandfather Toda Shinryuken. From Ishitani sensei he mastered KukiShinden-ryū Happō Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術), Hontai Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtaijutsu (高木揚心流柔体術), and Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu (義鑑流骨法術). From Mizuta Tadafuza he mastered Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtaijutsu. He lived in China for about 10 years, where he had many students. Takamatsu was a very well known master of Bojutsu and Jujutsu, not many knew that he was also a grandmaster of Ninjutsu. He passed away in May 1972, at 84 years old.

Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭)
-34th Soke, 1931-present

Dr. Hatsumi is the Soke (grand master) of 9 ryuha (traditional martial arts schools) which were fully transmitted to him by Soke Takamatsu Toshitsugu. Hatsumi Soke offers his teachings via the Bujinkan Dojo, an organization that he founded in honor of Takamatsu Toshitsugu, his aformentioned teacher.

Shihan Tetsuji Ishizuka (石塚哲二)
Shihan of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi

Shown in front row, left of 33rd Soke Toshitsugu Takamatsu(in white). Shihan Tetsuji Ishizuka has been training with Hatsumi Soke since the 1960's. He is one of the original students who met Hatsumi soke's teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu Sensei.

Dr. Kacem Zoughari
Student of Soke Hatsumi Masaaki & Shihan Tetsuji Ishizuka

Dr. Kacem Zoughari is a master of Ninjutsu and is a well known scholar of the history of Japanese Martial Arts. Born in Paris, France, he began studying Martial Arts in 1989 and soon began visiting Japan to further his studies. Dr. Zoughari received his Masters degree in Japanese History from INALCO. His Masters Thesis was titled: Ninjutsu: Its Form, History, and Essence. On September 8th 2008, Dr. Zoughari received his Ph.D. in Japanese History and Culture with highest honors from INALCO in Paris, France. His thesis was titled: "Tradition du Movement dans les écoles de combat classiques du Japon à partir des documents les plus anciens." (The tradition of movement in the classical combat schools of Japan based on the most ancient documents.)

Shidôshi Joshua Noro Polier (士道師ジョシュア 野呂 ポリア)
Student of Dr. Kacem Zoughari.

Joshua Noro Polier is the main instructor at BHD. A native New Yorker, he has been an active student in the martial arts since he began training in Kodokan Judo at the age of four. He has been training in the Bujinkan since 1991.

Joshua's experience of studying all over the world, under many instructors, has influenced and complimented his understanding of the Bujinkan art. His quest for the best instruction available has brought him all over North America, Europe and Asia.

Joshua's first trip to Japan for Ninjutsu instruction was in 1992 for several months. He now travels to Japan for training about twice a year. Joshua received his Shidôshi Menkyo (teaching license) from Hatsumi Soke in 2000. In January of 2006, after 15 years of searching, he finally found who he was looking for, his future teacher, Dr. Kacem Zoughari.

Incorporated within the Bujinkan system are nine ancient martial ryus, or traditions which have been passed down from generation to generation for as long as 1000 years. Under Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, these nine schools are taught as a collective and is called "Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu." Although three of these ryus are considered ninjutsu styles, the other six are traditional koryu (ancient martial ways) or samurai schools. Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, the current Soke (grandmaster), inherited the authority and title as head of these nine ancient martial schools from his late teacher Toshitsugu Takamatsu. For those that are unfamiliar with the various schools in our organization, here is a brief description of the nine ryu ha (traditions).

1. Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術) - Hidden Door School
   The second oldest of the nine traditions, this ryu forms much of the basis for the ninjutsu techniques taught in the Bujinkan. This system is famous for its use of such weapons as shuko and shuriken. It was reportedly founded by Daisuke Togakure in the late 1100s.
2. Gyokko-ryū Kosshijutsu (玉虎流骨指術) - Jeweled Tiger School
   The oldest of the nine traditions, this style is heavily influenced by Chinese kenpo and is known for its koshijutsu attacks to muscles and soft organs, also using fingers and thumbs for ripping and tearing. Gyokko Ryu was originally founded by Cho Gyokko who was said to have fled China during the Tang Dynasty around 900 AD. This ryu forms much of the basis for the Bujinkan system including the kihon happo.
3. KukiShinden-ryū Happō Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術) - Nine Demons School
   This ryu is a battlefield style whose specialty is the use of many different weapons including spears, swords, hanbos, etc. Many of the weapon techniques (hanbo, bo, yari, naginata, etc.) in Bujinkan come from this school. Kukishinden Ryu was reportedly founded by Izuma Kanja Yoshiteru in the mid 1100's.
4. Shinden Fudō-ryū Dakentaijutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術) - Immovable Heart School
   This system specializes in dakentaijutsu (striking techniques), and jutaijutsu (hard grappling techniques). This was the first ryu that Takamatsu learned form his grandfather. This ryu was also founded by Izuma Kanja Yoshiteru in the mid 1100's, who also learned Chinese kenpo.
5. Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法) - Jeweled Heart School
   The second ninjutsu ryu in the Bujinkan system was founded by Sasaki Goemon Teruyoshi in the mid 1500's. Not much is known of this ryu except that it is an Iga ninja school and concentrated more on the espionage side of ninjutsu, rather than the fighting side. It is also known for its use of sutemi (sacrifice) throws.
6. Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu (虎倒流骨法術) - Tiger Knocking Down School
   This style specializes in koppojutsu or bone-breaking techniques and is very linear in motion. This style was originally organized into a ryu by Sakagami Kunishige in the mid 1500s. The name of the school means to knock the tiger down with the tips of the fingers and historically, training started with striking sand and gravel, then larger stones for conditioning.
7. Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtaijutsu (高木揚心流柔体術) - High Tree, Raised Heart School
   This system specializes in grappling and throwing techniques similar to aikido and judo. However, unlike judo and aikido, this style makes it difficult for the opponent to use ukemi to fall or roll safely. This ryu is known as the "bodyguard school", and was founded by Takagi Oriuemon Shigenobu around 1650.
8. Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu (義鑑流骨法術) - Truth Loyalty and Justice School
   This ryu was originally founded by Uryu Hangan Gikanbo in the mid 1500s and specializes in koppojutsu or bone-breaking techniques. This style is known for its low stances, with much of the footwork within the Bujinkan system coming from this ryu.
9. Kumogakure-ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法) - Hiding in the Clouds School
   The third of the ninja ryus, it uses similar taijutsu as Togakure Ryu, and is also known for double blocks and strikes This ryu originated with Einaizaemon Ienaga Iga in the mid 1500's.

No, the following quotes illustrate some of the motivation behind the exclusion of competition and tournaments in the Bujinkan:
"There was a gathering of high-ranking karateka (karate practitioners) yesterday, and they were doing breaking demonstrations. Everyone was so impressed with the karateka stacking up to 20 to 30 roofing tiles then smashing the tiles with one blow. And so I thanked them. I told them that ninja would pick up the shards of the broken tile and throw them in their face, then kill them. I said that if they could not read that far, then they were not true martial artists and would truly die in a real fight. The room fell deathly quiet after that."
-Masaaki Hatsumi

"If this were a martial sport, everything I am teaching you would be against the rules. It has to be if you are to survive a real fight." - Masaaki Hatsumi

Moreover, competition and tournaments are activities for feeding the ego. In Eastern philosophy, ego is the root of spiritual suffering. Thus, from an Eastern philosophical perspective, performing these ego-building activities is counter-productive to spiritual well being.

Yes:
"There was a famous Zen master whom people would seek out to become enlightened. He was strict and would occupy people with things having nothing to do with seeking enlightenment. You see, that is the only way to achieve enlightenment; by not focusing on achieving it. Then, one day it will just come to you." -Masaaki Hatsumi

Here at the Benevolent Heart Dojo, we train and train and train ... then we train some more. We do not focus on being spiritual or attaining some sort of enlightenment. By not focusing on spirituality and instead focusing on our Budo training, we can embrace the spiritual aspects of the martial arts. In this manner, students of this dojo are on the path to achieve the benevolent heart of a true budoka (martial student).

The benevolent heart is a fundamental concept in Bujinkan training. The name of the dojo serves as a reminder for practitioners. The following excerpt illustrates the importance of the "Benevolent Heart" for those studying Japanese Budo

"Takamatsu Sensei once wrote an article for Tokyo Sports. In it, he spoke about the importance of having a benevolent heart. It is only by nurturing this benevolent heart that you are able to truly get good at Budo. Those who do not nurture this heart bear instead a covetous heart --- a heart with a darker side. You must train so as to rid yourself of everything that is covetous and dark. You must strip away all of your bad habits so that only true benevolence remains. It is only through proper training that you can attain this benevolent heart, so please train well." -Masaaki Hatsumi

We do not have separate beginner classes. However ALL of the classes with the assistant instructors are recommended for beginners. At the assistant instructors classes you may find students of all levels. The lack of student separation is in effect an advantage for the beginner. Integration allows the beginning student to learn more, by having advanced students available as role models and as valuable experienced training partners. Instead of one teacher instructing a room full of new beginners, by having an integrated class of students of varied skill levels, a new student benefits from not one teacher but a room full of teachers. Furthermore, students in the Benevolent Heart Dojo are treated as individuals. Students receive individual attention unavailable at "Mc. Dojo's" (large commercial martial art schools & franchises).

The main instructors classes are recommended for intermediate and advanced practitioners. However, beginners may participate in all of the main instructor's classes, except for those held at the "Private Dojo" location. There is one class, the BH Dojo "Getsuji Ninjutsu Kyoshitsu", which is unique. At this class you will find all of the dojo instructors and members, of all levels of experience, "under one roof." practicing together.

The Getsuji Ninjutsu Kyoshitsu is a mandatory class for ALL dojo members held on the 1st Sunday of every month. (If it is a holiday weekend then the gathering will be postponed to the 2nd Sunday of the month.) The purpose of the gathering is to:

1. Help the instructors follow the progress of all of the members of the Dojo.
2. Help in the processing of all dojo membership fees. This is the only class where monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual membership payment options are accepted.
3. Help in maintenance of the dojo "esprit de corps". To further this end we will have an optional dinner/hang-out time after the gathering.

For beginner students the cost of this class is included in monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual membership payment options. For all NON-beginner (ranked) students of the BHD, this gathering costs $25 per month and is NOT included in the monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual membership payment options. If you are paying for classes individually, then the cost of this class is also $25.

Quality of movement and accuracy of timing are two of the focal points of training at the Bujinkan NYC Benevolent Heart Dojo. Therefore, practitioners learn to eliminate extraneous movements and learn how to be as efficient as possible. Efficient movement and accurate timing eliminates the need for strength and speed in one's techniques. Proper training at the school will help increase your flexibility and functional strength. Independent cardio and muscle training is recommended of all practitioners.

Those who are interested in training primarily for fitness should look elsewhere for fitness focused martial arts, sports, or programs. Fitness orientated martial arts are not effective fighting styles; wasted movement and inefficiency are not the habits one wants to learn in dealing with a life threatening situation. Moreover many injuries and long term damage is often created through sports programs and poor gym training. Sport martial arts are a lot of fun and can often be useful in keeping you in shape but again many inefficient habits can be learned and long term damage can be accrued when training in such styles.

Grading is a tool for measuring a students progression. As a loose guideline there is one testing period a year. If a student wishes to test on one of these days they should make the instructor aware of the fact two to three weeks before hand. Students are not required to test. New recruits, with no rank, wear a white belt and have no official rank in the Bujinkan organization. Upon conference of an official Bujinkan rank, usually a "kyu" rank, a new recruit becomes an official member of the Benevolent Heart Dojo. Ranked members may attend all BHD classes including those held at the "private dojo". Also, the shidôshi may, without notice, suddenly award a student rank when he thinks the time is appropriate.

We welcome all practitioners with good hearts and tame egos. We treat everyone as individuals. You are not required to test at the Bujinkan NYC Benevolent Heart Dojo but if you would like to be ranked please discuss your options with the main Instructor. Class is very relaxed and not rank orientated. So come train!

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:

1. Only those who have read and agreed with these guidelines shall be allowed to participate.
2. Only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication shall be allowed to participate.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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:

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

• 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 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.

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

The Bujinkan Dojo
Soke: Masaaki Hatsumi — Title: Hisamune
636 Noda, Noda-shi, Chiba-ken 278 Japan
Tel: 0471-22-2020 Fax: 0471-23-6227

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 with different interpretations and different 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. Translation by Benjamin Cole

Adobe PDF file (12k) of the Guidelines For Participation In The Bujinkan

(Japanese Langauge File - NIHONGO)

Bujinkan Dojos in Japan do not put their tuition/membership fees on-line. This isn't supposed to be a commercialized art and may be considered poor taste to list rates online. However, if you fill out the contact form, we will contact you with more pricing information and/or arrange for you to view a class.

Joining the Benevolent Heart Dojo

The Bujinkan NYC Benevolent Heart Dojo is looking for students who:

• welcome challenges.
• are willing to make sacrifices for their own progress and the betterment of those around them.
• are self-motivated.
• will not settle for mediocrity.
• can dedicate a significant amount of time to their martial arts training.
• are open minded and able to "empty their cup".
• are respectful and courteous.
• upon being ranked, are able to attend the monthly BHD Getsuji Ninjutsu Kyoshitsu.
• (and most importantly) have a good heart.

If this sounds like you, then you may be a good candidate to become a student at the Benevolent Heart Dojo.

Please keep in mind, our dojo is a small tight-knit group, much like a family and, following in our teachers' footsteps, we only accept sincere and trust-worthy individuals.

If you think you will make a good student at the Benevolent Heart Dojo please fill out our Application for Participation and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Private lessons are available by request. All privates are taught by our main instructor, Shidôshi Joshua Noro Polier. Please contact us or speak to your instructor.

For learning a third person can be very helpful in order to observe the techniques from a third person perspective. If students are interested, private lessons can be coordinated so that two or more students are able to take lessons together.

* Please check with your physician if you are unsure of your athletic abilities, are overweight, or if you have heart or other health problems. By nature, as with all martial arts, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is dangerous. Although every effort is made to prevent injuries, Bujinkan NYC Benevolent Heart Dojo is not responsible for injuries or accidents that occur during training.