The class was fantastic. I felt really at home as I've been studying Taijutsu for 15 years so the movements were almost identical to what I've already been training in. Bujinkan Taijutsu to give it its correct title is a traditional discipline with Instructors receiving training from Dr Hatsumi, the 34th Ninjutsu Grandmaster himself. We study weapons such as short stick, hanbo (3 ft staff), Bo, naginata, sword (katana/ninjato), chain (Kusarifundo) knife, and taijutsu which is the empty hand combat. It utilises body mechanics, anatomy, pressure points and covers trapping, striking, kicking, locks, holds, chokes, pins etc as well as rolling and breakfalling. Unlike BJJ it doesn't like to take down to the ground and stay there. We prefer to stay on our feet and pin our opponent, whilst maintaining a constant awareness of our surroundings. We do training in ground fighting but we prefer to do what is necessary and then leave! The Instructor is off to Japan tomorrow to train with Dr Hatsumi himself so I look forward to joining him one year when they go off on the annual pilgrimage to Japan.
