Terms like "soft/hard", "internal/external", "linear/circular" are used to describe martial arts. Our art could appear to be any of these at any given time. Know that the term "Budo Taijutsu" does not refer to any specific style, but more to a group of skills or capabilities, each studied and ultimately expressed by the various ryu. The physical dynamics vary from school to school - one may focus on redirection and avoidance while another may charge in and overwhelm. Briefly Budo Taijutsu includes the study of armed and unarmed combative techniques, strategy, life philosophy, and history. The idea is to become adept at a variety of skills, rather than specializing, as in truth the main principles in combat are distance, rhythm, timing and flow. We are taught to respond to attacks in such a way as to place ourselves in an advantageous position from which an effective response can be employed. We are taught to use the entire body for each movement or technique to provide the greatest power or leverage. We use the openings created by the opponent's movement to apply techniques allowing him to defeat himself.

Training

Our methods of Budo are immensely diverse and naturally, the new student can not be taught everything at once. Training begins with the skills of taihen jutsu (body changing skills), which include falling, rolling, leaping, body posture and avoidance; daken taijutsu (striking weapons body techniques) using the entire body as a striking tool - how to apply and how to receive techniques; and jutaijutsu (supple body techniques) locks, throws, chokes, holds - how to apply and how to escape. In the early stages our weapons training is usually limited to avoiding attacks, overcoming any fear of the object and understanding the dynamics of its use from the perspective of "defending against".

In the mid and later stages, once solid taijutsu body dynamics are in place, we begin studying from the perspective of "defending with" the various weapons. In the early stages of training, kata are provided as examples of "what can be done here" and "how to move the body to achieve this result". However, as the practitioner progresses they are encouraged to explore the openings which naturally appear and to apply spontaneous techniques based upon the principles contained within the kata. This free flowing style/skill is one of the primary goals of our training and the root of our system.

Due to the combative nature of the techniques studied, there are no tournaments or competitions in Budo Taijutsu. As tournament fighting has set rules, which compel the competitor to study the techniques allowed within that framework. This limits not only the kinds of techniques that can be studied, but also the way in which one can apply those techniques. It has been said that the way that you train is the way that you will fight. Budo taijutsu requires its practitioners to be open to any solution and to be able to adapt their technique to ensure one's ultimate survival.

Bugei Juhappan

In many ancient martial scrolls it is written that all warriors should know well the Bugei Juhappan (the 18 warriors' arts). The eighteen fundamental skill areas that form the Togakure Ryu are called Ninpo Juhappan. Sometime this is also referred to as the Happo Hiken or the eight ways and the secret swords.

Sanshin no Kata

Also known as the Go Gyo no Kata, these are the five basic pattern movements from Gyokko Ryu. Sanshin has many meanings and applications in both physical and philosophical sense. Yet one of the most common translations reads - "The first step in an understandable communication" and is exemplified with a three year old babies' verbal and bodily communication. At three the baby stops being a baby and becomes a child, and a new environment, beginning to take shape is there in life to face for the first time.

Kihon Happo

The basis of all techniques, whether armed or unarmed, and therefore extremely important to each practitioner of Budo Taijutsu. Learning the various ways to move from the basic kamae is vital to progress in our art as the eight basic techniques are said to be the origin of all Budo in existence today.

Ten Chi Jin Ryaku no Maki

The book of Heaven, Earth and Man is the given name for the basic book of our Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. This is the original "taijutsu" book written by Hatsumi Sensei a number of years ago. This grouping of basic techniques are a very small collection of the nine schools of the Bujinkan Dojo and serve as a starting point for students to begin their studies. Most schools use these techniques for their foundation studies in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu as it is our basic "movement language" primer.

Weapons

There are numerous combative weapons in the Bujinkan Dojo and all are based on the ability one has with one's personal taijutsu. The basic weapons in the Bujinkan Dojo are tessen, hanbo, jo, rokushakubo (sticks of various lengths), shuriken, tanto, kodachi, Ninja to, katana, tachi, naginata, yari (blade weapons of various lengths), kusari fundo, nawa (ropes and chains). There are also many other specialized tools and weapons that vary within the nine Bujinkan schools as well. Although it is nearly impossible to master all weapons, the idea is to have a basic understanding of the weapon and excellent taijutsu so one can utilize any given weapon easily.

Ryuha Techniques

Again there is a tremendous amount of information contained within our nine Bujinkan traditional schools. It is best that beginners not be too concerned with which technique comes from which ryu until they have mastered the basics of ukemi, sanshin no kata, kihon happo etc. Following up with a solid foundation in the Ten Chi Jin Ryaku no Maki and the other basics, the individual ryuha techniques will be much easier to understand and one's progress will be certainly smoother.