Bujinkan Santa Monica

Photo by Son of Groucho Do you think you have a grasp on this art?  Have you done all the kata in the Tenchijin Ryaku no Maki?  Maybe you have memorized all the (known) kata from our 9 Bujinkan ryuha.  Maybe you have even mastered the Togakure-ryu Juhakkei - the 18 forms of the shinobi (is that even possible in the modern era?).  How long have you been training?  3 years? 10?  how about 20? Do I hear 30?  I know someone with over 40 years in this art and he is still learning new material. Don't miss the train by not showing up. Recently, I was at a seminar with my teacher, Peter Crocoll.  I was considering leaving early because I had a 9 hour drive back home.  I brought this up to him, and he said, "you can leave if you want, but what I'm about to show has never been shown in North America."  I stayed.  And it was worth it. I almost missed training with Peter again this month.  It literally was a coin flip whether I ma...

A well known quote from Sensei: "Gambatte" or "Keep Going. " Simple.  Two words.  So why does it mean so much?  Why is it so hard to do?  And what does he mean exactly? Soke wrote: Forget your sadness, anger, grudges and hatred. Let them pass like smoke caught in a breeze. You should not deviate from the path of righteousness; you should lead a life worthy of a man. Don't be possessed by greed, luxury, or your ego. You should accept sorrows, sadness and hatred as they are, and consider them a chance for trial given to you by the powers... a blessing given by nature. Have both your mind and your time fully engaged in budo, and have your mind deeply set on bujutsu.     Adapted from Tetsuzan, Hatsumi Sensei's original newsletter in English.     © Tetsuzan & Bujinkan International がんばって There is the idea in Japanese culture of Musha Shugyo.   It is a warriors quest.  But also a life quest.  In order to d...