About Training

Bujinkan

Budo Taijutsu

a truly unique art

Mindset

Budo Taijutsu takes a survivalist mindset towards martial arts. The first priority is to keep yourself and your loved ones alive. Therefore, a "combat" mindset is favored over sport-oriented application, in which no inherent rules exist about what's "allowed". Generally, it takes a pragmatic approach, as long as what you do works for you and your goals.

In a truly dangerous situation, you'll often be smaller, weaker, and slower than your opponent. Rather than relying on physical prowess, emphasis is placed on things like positioning, timing, balance, relaxed movements and psychology. A heavy emphasis is placed on spontaneous creativity, and the ability to change and adapt to whatever comes your way.

Ancient & Modern

The base techniques are derived from Japanese schools of warfare that date back to the medieval era. Techniques are trained in a traditional fashion, and their historical context is examined.

Then, principles are extracted, to apply to your life in modern society, your body type, and who you are as a person. As such, training in Budo Taijutsu embodies qualities of both traditional and modern martial arts

Integrated Skillsets

Due to it's roots in warfare, and because humans use tools, weapons usage & disarming is integral. This begins at day-one, and includes traditional weapons (swords, staffs, and knives), but also considers the use of improvised weapons such as pens, cell phones, clothing and whatever else might be available. Unlike other arts that distinctly separate skill sets (unarmed vs. weapons or striking vs. grappling), Budo Taijutsu promotes a holistic view that seamlessly integrates many topics under a coherent system.

What kind of skills are taught?

Safe rolling & falling skills
Unarmed - Strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws, chokes, pins, pressure-point and pain-compliance.
Armed - Knife, staff, sword, rope, handguns, projectiles, etc
Defense against multiple assailants, as well as working with teammates to neutralize assailants

What to Expect in Class?

Rolling/falling skills are practiced at every class to prevent injury in the dojo and out in life.
Techniques are taught in a hands-on fashion, including contact with your training partners.
To prevent injury, techniques are initially trained in a slow & controlled fashion, with speed & intensity increasing with skill level.
There is no sparring, although there is occasional pressure-testing using free response drills against unknown attacks.
A flexible curriculum is followed, but students may explore topics they feel they need for them as an individual.
Students learn at their own rate and are encouraged to take personal stock in what they are learning

Ranking

Training in Budo Taijutsu can be a life-long pursuit of constant learning. But there are general belt rankings, and other certifications:

Belts:

White - new students
Green - initiated practitioners (10th-1st kyu ranking)
Black - seasoned practitioners (1st-10th dan ranking)

Certifications & Honorifics:

Shidoshi - teaching license
Shihan - master level teachers
DaiShihan - top level teachers
Menkyo Kaiden - formal certification in specific traditions or topics