Ninjustu

Interview with Dr. Leland Cseke of UA-Huntsville Bujinkan Dôjô

1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? The UA-Huntsville Bujinkan Dôjô was founded in 2002 by Dr. Leland Cseke (presently a 6th Dan, Shidoshi). Our Dôjô is affiliated with the University of Michigan Bujinkan Dôjô run by Shihan Michael Asuncion (15th Dan). The Dôjô was founded due to our commitment to the correct transmission and preservation of the Bujinkan martial arts (see next question).

2. What forms of Japanese martial arts do you teach in your school? Can you please share with us the history behind them? Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (more commonly known as ninjutsu) is a traditional Japanese martial art with a rich history that spans over ten centuries. Developed by the legendary ninja and samurai warriors of feudal Japan, the Bujinkan martial arts have survived the test of time and continue to flourish worldwide under the direct guidance of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, thirty-fourth Sôke (grandmaster) of the nine distinct ryu ha (budo traditions) that make up this martial art. The Bujinkan Dôjô or “Warrior God Training Hall,” is a worldwide Dôjô organized in the 1970’s by Hatsumi Sensei and headquartered in Noda, Japan. Hatsumi Sensei inherited the nine ryu ha from his teacher, the late Takamatsu Toshitsugu in 1972. Hatsumi Sensei has been revered by leaders of the military, police forces, and even presidents. He has received several international peace awards, Japanese cultural awards, and an accommodation by the previous Pope for his work in the preservation of an ancient art. The UA-Huntsville Bujinkan Dôjô attempts to follow in his footsteps.

3. What are the principles and concepts that you uphold and try to instill in your students? Budo Taijutsu is a very practical martial art that has found use in military and police forces throughout the world. However, there is much more to the art than mere physical techniques. With proper understanding, it not only becomes useful in allowing smaller people to generate immense power but also rouses the natural powers of human beings that can make the world a better, more peaceful, and more prosperous place.

4. Why do you think it is important for people to learn martial arts? From our point of view, there is a big difference between martial arts and martial sports. As with any art form, the aim of martial arts is to achieve perfection of performance, feeling, practicality and some argue the human soul. Just like a guitar player has only a certain number of notes he or she can play, there is an endless amount of music and feeling that pours forth from those notes when the musician becomes really good at the art. In this sense, Budo Taijutsu is a true martial art. It is not a martial sport, focused on winning or losing. It is a perspective that embodies true survival approaches and not simply collections of fighting scenarios.

5. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered so far with regards to teaching martial arts and how did you overcome them? Because this martial art is a “hard” form (we do not use pads, we tend to hit one another, and there are no rules other than common respect), this martial art tends to be difficult for children. We have found that people age 16 and above have the proper physical and mental development to make good use of this art.

6. Can you please give a short biography of your dojo’s instructor(s)? Dr. Leland Cseke, 6th Dan, Shidoshi has over 16 years of experience in Budo Taijutsu. He has been an integral part of Bujinkan organizations at The University of Michigan, The University of Arizona, and Michigan Technological University. He also holds ranks in Aikijustsu, Judo, Tai Chi and Karate.

Interview with Anshu Christa Jacobson of Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo

1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making?

I founded the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo back in 2004, I wanted to bring back the tradition of Japanese Bujutsu, something that I felt has been lost in the modern world. To do this I established the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo, meaning School of the Japanese Warriors Ways of Stealth. After receiving Menkyo Kaiden in Tomo Ryu Shinobijutsu from Master Ichiro Kobayashi and full permission from my other Masters, The Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo was established.

2. What forms of Japanese martial arts do you teach in your school? Can you please share with us the history behind them?

The Budo Ryu Ninjutsu system of martial training was developed by the collection of 7 Japanese Traditions and combining them into a way of training to fully develop one’s mind, body and spirit as one. Each of these ryu has is own specialty in certain aspects of warfare and combat tactics. The Traditions that are taught in the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo are:

- Tomo Ryu Shinobijutsu
- Tenjin Ryu Bushi Jujutsu
- Koto Ryu Koppojutsu
- Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu
- Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu
- Koka Ryu Dakentaijutsu
- Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu

Through the training the student will learn each of these arts individually and as they train they then understand movement and the principals and how to move in and out of all of the 7 traditions when they need to. Instead of having one set strategy (DO / 道) the Budoka learns 7 different combative strategies. This is the understating of the Budo Ryu, to be able to move freely in and out of each of these old family traditions to fit any situation in life.

3. What are the principles and concepts that you uphold and try to instill in your students?

The principals that we teach is a collection of understanding called NINPO (忍法) these are the methods and understanding of the Ninja. In the Samurai Arts, teaches the feeling of “bushido” that is stressed to the student; this can be understood as a means of “winning”. Winning was not the main action to the ninja, the idea of the ninja was to “not lose’ so if a samurai pulled their Japanese Swords on a ninja, and the ninja threw powders in the eyes and used evasion skills, the samurai would see this as cowardly, the ninja would see this as creating an opportunity to get back to their family, and in this even if they did not “win” they did not lose either.

This is the foundation of thought with the school; the understanding and importance of family. So at the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo, we do not fight for ourselves, for the “win”, we learn the 7 arts of Budo to protect ourselves and our families; to become better people and to understand the art of Ninjutsu.

4. Why do you think it is important for people to learn martial arts?

I think that it is very important for people to have the ability to protect themselves, but more importantly I feel that people need to have the opportunity to see who they truly are. So many times you see people wishing that they could do this and that. In the Ninja arts, all areas of weaponry, stealth, hand to hand combat, survival skills and so much more is covered. To not just learn how to punch and kick but to learn self empowerment and to have the ability to understand life this is why I feel that it is important to learn the martial arts.

5. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered so far with regards to teaching martial arts and how did you overcome them?

There are two main obstacles that I had come across for myself now that I have been teaching on a larger scale worldwide.

#1 – I am a woman, so no matter how many videos that we do, DVDs that we produce, and books that I write, the majority of this martial art culture is male dominated and with that, there is always going to be the thought that a woman cannot do what a man can do. I will admit over the past 5 years it has got a lot less now that I travel all over and do so many seminars, training camps as well as all of the DVD’s and Books that we produce; but because of the image of combat being so dominated by men, it is still there, but it always will be too.

#2 – INTERNET POLITICS! It is amazing how many people actually get on forums, message boards and free video sharing sites to talk negative and false statements of others in the martial arts.

I never thought that the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo would grow to where it is today, but as the school has grown larger there are those that want to discredit us, make up false and ridiculous statements. Anytime that someone reads a negative comment online, one should understand that it is a cowardly attack, as the person just has a user name (that is usually not their real name) and a lot of bad and hateful things to say. We, as martial artiss, should not pay any attention at all to those that want to slander our schools or our organizations as this is not an act of Budo, in fact slandering others, personal attacking someone for “your opinion” and belittling others go against what many of us learn in the martial arts.

I feel that every student needs to find the best teacher for them, if they like the way that a certain individual teaches and they can relate to them, then that is the master that they need. For someone to not ever met another person, train with them or talk to them in any way, and then to go online and negatively talk bad about someone is a dishonorable action.

This world is getting worse as greed, hate and crime gets higher and higher. We need to stay focus on our training and make our skills as sharp as the sword that we carry. By taking time away from the things that are important like family and training we are taking time away from making us better as a people. We all need to stay focused on the things that are the most important.

6. What advice and/or insights can you share with our readers who want to pursue their interest in the Japanese form of martial arts?

GO FOR IT! Learning the Japanese arts will help you in all areas of life not just in combat. There are so many ways to learn martial arts today with the internet and such that anyone can find the right program and the right master if they just look for it. This shows the great growth of the martial arts. As the centuries move on, the masters of the present keep finding new ways to relate the old ways to the students. Just as we grow, Budo must grow with the times too and hopefully the people who truly want to learn these old traditions will have that opportunity to not just help themselves but become better people and help those around them.

Thank you for the opportunity to touch someone’s life through the message of Budo, I deeply appreciate it. Take care, be safe and Good Luck in your Journey of Budo.

Interview with Mike Reina of Bujinkan Bukeyashiki Dojo

1. Who is the dojo  founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making?

Bujinkan Bukeyashiki Dojo was started back in the late 90’s as a shibu (training group) by Mike Reina, with only 2 students. Classes were held in his basement with just barely enough room to roll from one end to the other. When the weather permitted classes were held outside in a local park.

Since 1995 Shidoshi Reina has been training in the Bujinkan. His first visit to Japan was in 2006 and again in 2007 when he earned his Godan (5th degree) certificate. What prompted Shidoshi Reina to start the dojo was out the love for the art and the camaraderie it instills. This art has a long history with numerous life lessons to be learned and mastered.

2. What forms of Japanese martial arts do you teach in your school? Can you please share with us the history behind them?

At the Bujinkan Bukeyashiki Dojo, we only teach Budo Taijutsu as taught by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, who is the head of the Bujinkan. Dr. Hatsumi is the 34th Grandmaster head of nine warrior schools which was passed to him by his teacher Toshitsugu Takamatsu – the last ninja of the 20th century. The following are the nine koryu (a traditional or ancient martial art) schools: Togakure Ryu, Gyokko Ryu, Kukishinden Ryu, Shinden Fudo Ryu, Gyokushin Ryu, Koto Ryu, Takagi Yoshin Ryu, Gikan Ryu and Kumogakure Ryu.

Ninjustu, as this art is more commonly known deals with many different arts and survivalist techniques. It was developed by groups of people mainly from the Iga and Koga areas of Japan. During the warring state of feudal Japan the ninja used their art to ensure their survival. Their skills in espionage and assassination were highly useful to the warring states during that era. Because these survivalist techniques were seen as dishonorable to the samurai class, many samurai would hire a ninja to perform these tasks. Some of these tasks involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, explosives and poisons, just to mention a few. Today however the main focus of Ninjustu deals with the techniques relating to armed and unarmed combat.

3. What are the principles and concepts that you uphold and try to instill in your students?

We have several but the most important to us are: Respect yourself, Respect others and be responsible for your own actions. We also believe heavily that “you are responsible for your own training”. One main idea that we try to push to all our students is that we don’t fight to “win”, we fight to survive. Getting home to our family is the only prize that we are after.

4. Why do you think it is important for people to learn martial arts?

In my opinion the martial arts teach human interaction. It teaches patience, determination, self reliance, discipline, self preservation, and reflection/wisdom. Not to mention, the camaraderie that you establish with your dojo friends. It teaches you to push your body and mind and to constantly reach for new goals.

5. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered so far with regards to teaching martial arts and how did you overcome them?

I think the most difficult is getting students into the door of the dojo. This is a dynamic art. Accordingly, training with different people and different body types is extremely important in your development. The size of the dojo is another obstacle in that you need space to throw people around and to swing weapons of different lengths.

6. What advice and/or insights can you share with our readers who want to pursue their interest in the Japanese form of martial arts?

Find the right art for you and your personal situation. Then find the right teacher and school. It might take a while, but its well worth the investment in your time. Don’t be discouraged if it’s not the school located within your town. Sometimes travel is necessary in order to find the right match.

7. Can you please give a short biography of your dojo’s instructor(s)?

Currently we have Mike Reina, Shidoshi as the head instructor and John Soto, Shidoshi-ho as the assistant instructor. Mike and John started together back in the late 90’s and have gone through the ranks together. Along with a long history of training together their friendship has also continued to grow into what is turning out to be a life long friendship. Their friendship is used as an example to the other members of the dojo and a cornerstone of how we treat our students – friends’ first and then students second.

Mike and John both have many years of experience in Tae Kwon do as well. Mike has taken several other arts including Aikido, Judo and Kung Fu. Currently Mike and John have started to train in “Reality based” scenarios and passing onto the students not only the rich history of the Bujinkan but also how it relates to today’s attacks.