Recognizing a good Bujinkan instructor is of the utmost importance and Dr. Hatsumi has stated on more than one occasion… "It's better not to have an instructor than have a bad one…" Although this task can seem difficult at first, some careful yet common sense methods can easily be applied to prevent your walking down the wrong alley. Generally the Bujinkan Dojo even with its prodigious growth over the last few years is still a fairly small, tight knit community and a few simple inquiries will separate the "wheat from the chaff" without too much ground pounding.

At this juncture I would suggest you read our article about "Grades and Grading" before reading on as this will help you understand some important differences in ability and approach which need to be considered. In any event, when you locate an instructor you must be certain that he or she is a member in good standing of the Bujinkan Shidoshi Kai and a licensed Shidoshi (5th dan) as only a licensed Shidoshi has the permission and therefore the right to open a Bujinkan Dojo on his own. He must have passed the Godan sakki test and must be able to produce a legitimate rank menkyo only available from Dr. Hatsumi. Also remember that a Shidoshi is not necessarily a licensed instructor and must be able to produce a separate teaching license along with his current grade certificate. A Shidoshi Ho (1st- 4th dan) may not open a dojo himself; he must be teaching under the auspices of his teacher (a Shidoshi) with whom he should regularly train.
Along with this thinking understand that all black belts are not instructors and instructors are not teachers… come to understand the huge distinction between an instructor, a teacher and a master teacher. There is equally a natural gap between a teacher and a master teacher as well. Work to discern between each of these levels of knowledge, experience and expertise. If a student can, he should study with a tenth dan whenever possible. If one can not find a fifth dan he or she must be keenly aware of the very real potential for injury or worse in pursuit of our methods. Remember you are asking someone to train you in life and death matters… never settle for second best if you have a choice. And you do have the choice! This is of course the ideal we seek and many times not always possible for many. Shidoshi and Shidoshi Ho are the only individuals that are permitted to grade students in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu and Shidoshi Ho, properly supported by a Shidoshi should confer with their senior for balanced consideration of each individual for the grade in question.

One indication of a good Shidoshi is that he himself trains regularly with Dr. Hatsumi and the Shihan of the Bujinkan. This will prevent him from developing in the incorrect manner and insure on gowing growth and purity of Budo Taijutsu movement. No matter how long a Shidoshi has studied, if he does not continue to train with Hatsumi Sensei on a regular basis he will ultimately drift away and "create" his own art. As each individual teacher is unique, methods of transmitting the art will differ. One teacher may look better than another yet this may not be necessarily true… you must look carefully. His personality and perspective will differ from yours and he will often have qualities that he keeps hidden for any number of reasons or possible situations.

Remember though a teacher or on occasion a seminar provider you may be considering working with is not in essence there to be your friend, father or decision maker. He is there to teach you how to be effective at martial arts. You may not even like him as such… but think, is he the one that can teach the very thing you want? I came to understand long ago that I would never let Hatsumi Sensei's behavior, personality, habits, morals, life choices or quirks turn me from the training I seek. Many very senior people have been driven away and left the ryu by this very behavior and certainly this was one of the most important lessons for me as I grew in the art.

In addition if an art or teacher does not meet your standards you must take personal responsibility and continue to search and evaluate as best you can. To be a good instructor and ultimately a good teacher and representative of Dr. Hatsumi's and the Bujinkan Dojo one must simply be more than "good at the art". It requires unequaled commitment, time, money and a life filled with hard work and persistence. One can not expect to completely learn this art in any number of lifetimes as it never stops growing or changing. Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is never served up "hot on a plate" for anyone as we all soon learn. A person has to be intelligent and have good common sense so as to be able to see what needs to be seen and learn what needs to be learned for them self in the end. He must learn to be a good judge of himself and evaluate his own strengths and weaknesses. The quicker one understands that he must "figure it out" for himself the better he will fare, in the dojo and in life. It's the same as riding a bike… you must want to ride and find the courage and balance to stay upright. Your teacher only runs alongside for security but in the end you will ride or fall based on your own desire, understanding of the goal and "on the job experience".

Of course not everyone has the goal to be a master of budo or "walk the path" behind Hatsumi Sensei and in truth few can. Yet our budo begins to help a persons life smooth out from the minute they begin the movements and can potentially be an exceptionally enjoyable experience depending on your mindset. I believe a Shidoshi should be flexible in the manner in which he dispenses the art as we all have differing reasons why we train be it for philosophy, fitness, health or self defense. Surely though each teacher has a grave responsibility to the Bujinkan and to Hatsumi Sensei to choose only acceptable students for instruction.

Yet one of the primary reasons Hatsumi Sensei has placed his teachers in the world is to teach budo and happiness and to live this happiness each day. Sensei has asked us all to be "shining stars in the heavens as a beacon of hope for others to follow". Naturally and honestly said, not everyone can make it to the "clouds of budo and beyond"… but everyone who seeks help should be welcomed with a smile and an open heart - the same immovable heart that our own Soke has shared with each of us.