A good instructor in the art is certain to properly frame what they teach as part of the education. In order to understand the art let’s first start with the term ‘Ninja’. This term, while commonly used to refer to practitioners of Ninjutsu, is not the only one historically used. In Ninpo Secrets, by Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura, it is written that there were numerous names used depending on the era and area. Other names include ‘Shinobi no mono’, ‘Kusa’, ‘Kan’, etc.

The term ‘Ninja’ when broken down can mean ’a person that endures’.  It is this broad sense of perserverance that I believe is taught in training to deal with all of lifes challenges. In historical context the prime use of the Ninja within the Sengoku Period (warring era) of Japan was that of intelligence. A parallel can be drawn to modern day Intelligence Organizations such as the CIA. To paint with a broad brush and label historical Ninja ’assasins’ is not just incorrect, but misleading. The art then that was practiced known as ‘Ninjutsu’, included unarmed and armed defensive methods, meteorology and geography, concealment methods, and more.

I believe the true mission that we can fufill is that of humanity and justice. It begins first with ourselves and spreads naturally to those we come in contact with and our communities. By bettering ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually we become a beacon of light to those around us. Tanemura Soke says that we are as Warrior Priests, because we are there to aid others emotionally and spiritually with compassion and humanity, and physically for those who cannot defend themselves. This is the spirit of Ninpo.

Ninpo encompasses Ninjutsu. Commonly within Genbukan training we refer to the 36 Sections of Ninpo training, called, Ninpo Sanjurokkei. Of these 36, the two that are the most important are Taijutsu and Seishin Tekikyo Yo.

Ninpo Taijutsu is ‘Unarmed Defense’ and is the foundation for all of the martial side of the art. By training hard in this you can more easily learn other sections such as weapons training. Ninpo Taijutsu can be broken down into the following:

1. Taihen-jutsu: This includes evasion practice including body movements, rolling, and so on.

2. Dakken Taijutsu: These are various striking methods utilizing the entire body.

3. Jutai-jutsu: These are ‘grappling’ methods including throwing, joint manipulation, choking, and so on.

4. Kosshi-jutsu: Pressure point attacking.

5. Koppo-jutsu: Bone attacks. Together, Kosshi-jutsu and Koppo-jutsu, were known as Kyusho-jutsu, which is utilizing any weak points of the body.

In our practice we study Koryu and Gendai. Our studies which are taught from tradional lineages (Ryu-ha). The Ryu-ha, some of which are very ancient, are handed down from Grandmaster to Grandmaster through time in order to preserve its teachings. My teacher, Tanemura Soke, preserves over 23 of these ancient systems. The oldest mastership being 58 generations long.

To train in these Old Style (Koryu) Systems is in a way to be a curator of a living museum. There are some parts that have there place in history such as training in Samurai armor (Yoroi Kumiuchi). But the body moves the same way and has the same parts as it did hundreds of years ago.

So the lessons are timeless. Even with the example of Samurai armor, one could compare those principles to the body armor worn by modern day police officers and soldiers. By adapting principles to modern scenarios we may face, we are practicing the modern side to our art (Gendai).

Taijutsu is taught as a ‘battlefield art’, in that within its system of defense, it is based on survival and does not follow any set rules of what is allowed.

This I believe is an important reason for Seishintekikyo Yo, or ‘Spiritual Refinement’. By adhering to moral virtues we comprehend that just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should. Our lives are filled with a balance of justice and compassion. Soke teaches that developing our hearts and spirits is much more important than the martial side.

In the Genbukan method of training the spiritual and physical are entwined. I believe this is better understood by ‘feeling’ the training, rather than through simple study and research. We begin and end class with a light meditation to clear and focus the mind. Throughout training we attempt to maintain a ‘moving meditation’. This is also important for safety as well. We bring to training our strengths and weakenesses in order to forge ourselves.

So by understanding the distinctions of Ninpo, Ninjutsu, and Ninja, we can better represent the art as ambassadors. We are able to approach training in this ancient art from the right direction, and carry it forward as a complete martial art.

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This was written by Mark Bramble based on his personal training and study.
Please do not re-post this without written permission.

The Tai Kai will be held in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, on September 17-20th, 2009. Sensei will be accompanied by Shihan James Wright, who will be assisting to facilitate the Tai Kai.

The schedule for the Tai Kai will be as follows:

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING:

Will take place at the Asahi Judo Club located at 805 Victoria St South, Kitchener, Ontario. This is a beautiful dojo that has well over 4000 square feet of tatami mat space along with a suspension floor. A courtesy shuttle will be provided from the hotel!

Thursday, Sept 17th, 2009

9:30am-11:30am

Lunch location to be announced.

3:30-5:30pm

Friday, Sept 18th, 2009 9:30am-11:30am

Lunch location to be announced.

3:30-6:00pm

(grading time will take place in this spot).

** If you are testing for Shoden Menkyo in Koto Ryu

Koppo Jutsu, you MUST attend all four instructor sessions**

GENERAL TAI KAI:

Will be held at the Delta Hotel in the Ballroom.

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

10am-12pm General Tai Kai

12pm-2:30pm Lunch

2:30pm-5:30pm General Tai Kai

Banquet: 8pm - ??

(More information will be announced at a later date.)

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

9:00am-10:30am Room will be open for self training.

10:30am – 12pm General Tai Kai

12pm – 2:30pm Lunch

2:30pm – 4:30pm General Tai Kai

4:30pm – 5:30pm Testing for Koto Ryu

HOTEL INFORMATION

We will be hosting the Tai Kai at the Delta Hotel located at:

105 King St East

Kitchener, Ontario

Canada

1-519-741-4141

www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.php?hotelId=22

This is an extremely busy time of year in Kitchener and hotels fill up very fast. I have reserved about 150 rooms but will remove them as of August 1st, 2009. I would suggest you reserve your room as soon as possible.

CUT-OFF DATE

Your Cut-Off date for reservations is Saturday, August 1st, 2009. Rooms not reserved

by this date will be released for sale in our general inventory. Your preferred rate and

availability cannot be guaranteed after this date.

The ancient scrolls of the AmatsuTatara encompass a huge diversity of teachings that include touching the spirit heart to heart, and range from martial strategy to unique forms of healing. Although Tanemura Sensei has taught aspects of the AmatsuTatara at Taikais in recent years, at this Seminar in Ireland, Sensei will open up for the first time the ‘inner heart of the AmatsuTatara teachings’ to the world.

The AmatsuTatara is the ‘inner heart of Ninpo’, something that Tanemura Sensei has been saying for many years, and essential for the complete martial artist. All Genbukan / KJJR students are welcome to attend regardless of rank or grade and likewise every Genbukan / KJJR student is entitled to attend this Seminar. We hope you will all take this rare opportunity and join us at such a special Seminar.

Seminar Dates:
Arrival: Saturday August 1st
Day1: Sunday August 2nd
Day2: Monday August 3rd
Day3: Tuesday August 4th
Depart: Wednesday August 5th
(some may depart Tuesday evening)

Seminar Location:
Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co Meath, Ireland
Arrival at Dublin Airport:
We ask everyone to arrive on Saturday August 1st. Members of our Seminar Staff will meet any Genbukan members arriving at Dublin Airport and will guide them to the local bus to Navan (about 45minute bus journey). Other members of our Seminar Staff will collect everyone from Navan and bring them by car to Trim.

Seminar Cost:
250 euro for Genbukan members and members’ families
Cost includes all Seminar teaching over 3 days, sightseeing & transport for sightseeing.
Banquet and meals not included

Seminar Accommodation:
At this time the most important booking that Genbukan members should be aware of is accommodation. With the event less than 8 months away, quite a number of Dojo Cho with students have already booked their flights and accommodation. There are 3 options for accommodation.
A: in Knightsbrook Hotel
B: at Knightsbrook Houses
C: at Bed & Breakfasts in the locality (B&Bs)
It is by far the best option to stay on the Knightsbrook Campus where the Seminar will take place - either in the Knightsbrook Hotel or in the Knightsbrook Houses. The Knightsbrook Houses (self-catering) are directly beside the hotel and are therefore as convenient as the Hotel. Both the houses and the hotel are very good quality (see www.knightsbrook.com)
The Knightsbrook Houses are definitely the best value. Houses include ensuite bedrooms with kitchen living area. To rent a house for 4 nights costs 640euro (i.e total of 160 per night). Each house can accommodate 5 – 7 people . This is better value and more convenient than any B&B.

We cannot emphasise strongly enough that you should book accommodation now. This weekend in August is a national holiday in Ireland and is the busiest weekend for tourists. The Knightsbrook Hotel is a very popular hotel. The Knightsbrook Houses are such good value they will be booked quickly. So please make a booking, even if provisional, as soon as possible. Email: info@knightsbrook.com or telephone: +353-46-9482100

We wish to make the Seminar arrangements as smooth as possible for everyone so that we can all focus on the reason that brings us all together:
To receive the unique teachings of the AmatsuTatara directly from our Grandmaster Tanemura Sensei.

Instruction will include Tenshin Hyoho Kukishin Ryu: Bojutsu, Bikenjutsu, and Ju-jutsu. Check back for more information.

On January 11, 2009 the Bansenshukai Dojo had the privilege of attending the Baltimore Seminar with Kyoshi Gary Giamboi of the Harukaze Dojo in Lake Worth, Florida.

The seminar was held at the Baltimore Kageshin Dojo and hosted by Sensei Robert Stevens. Other Dojo also attended from Maryland and as far away as New York.

During the Seminar we worked on Biken-jutsu (sword), Ninpo Taijutsu, and Ju-jutsu training. It was an excellent lesson in Zanshin (awareness) with about 30 Ninpo-ka with swords training close along side of each other.

At the end of training we were honored to participate in testing. Two students from the Bansenshukai Dojo tested for their first level in Bo-jutsu and Adam Williamson tested for Shodan level of Ju-jutsu. In addition, I also tested for my Sandan in Ninpo and Nidan in Ju-jutsu.

As always, Kyoshi Giamboi gave us an excellent workout and some great pointers for our techniques.

This Taikai was sponsored by Kyoshi Michael Coleman of the Futen Dojo. Soke Tanemura taught this amazing event bringing with him Shihan Nicola D’Onofrio from Honbu Dojo.

Students from our Dojo included Joy, Jose, Dave, Danny and myself. Our trip began with Joy and I flying out a couple of days in advance to attend the Instructor Training. We found Milwaukee to be a nice little town. We were able to travel a good bit by bus.

Our rooming was at the local college dorm room. It was quite the experience being in the rooms in the middle of July with no AC, but you couldn’t beat the value. The Instructor Training itself was no less than amazing. Soke demonstrated all of Shoden Gata with many Kuden.

At the end of the Instructor section a large number of Black Belts tested for Shoden Menkyo. It was an exciting feeling to be a part of everything.

We also had the opportunity to visit the Oriental Theatre, which is a very old movie theater that is definitely from a different era. This is where we first saw the new movie put together by Kyoshi Coleman “Gift of the Traditional Martial Arts“. It in itself was a very inspiring movie, and extremely well put together.

As seems to be the norm, whenever we travel, our athletic mat company All Star Mats become very busy, and I am torn between work and other things. This is when we began coming up with the plan to just never stop travelling!

The next 2 days were part of the Public Taikai. Joy and I met up with the others as they arrived from back home. We weren’t out for a late night, but we walked by the Taikai location to give them a heads up.

The second part of the Taikai was also great training. Kyoshi Gary Giamboi gave everyone an awesome workout in Core Training, Stretching, and the like. Students trained hard preparing for the Kirigami testing and any Black Belt testing that would take place.

At the end Joy, Dave, and Jose all passed Gyokko Ryu Tanemura-ha Kirigami. I was well pleased with all of them! My fiance, Joy gave me quite the workout also, as I stepped in to be her Uke for the test. You could imagine how happy I was for her when she received a 98%! Believe me, I felt every part of that..

After the Taikai training had officially ended, we were entertained at the evening Banquet. There was dancing, music, and great friends.

We of course ended our last night being out on the town. Perhaps we should have thought that through a little better with our flight being 6am the next morning, but you live and learn.

What a great experience, great host, and a wonderful teacher!

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