“Santo Tonko no Kata” from Togakure ryu Ninjutsu has been held

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This Saturday in the yard of the Homby Dojo of the Organization “Taiyou e no Michi”, the teacher Igor Dovezenski held a seminar on the topic of Santo Tonso no Kata. In the event took part five students of Bujinkan Macedonia who tried to explore the secrets of the school of Togakure ryu Ninjutsu.

Because we are talking about a complex art, Dovezenski tried to at least scratch the surface of the techniques, without at the same time diving into the finer details, as he usually does during his teachings about the seminars.

During the closing of the seminar, all present unanimously declared that this school should be more frequently taught in the Homby Dojo, because the only way that could be done is surrounded by nature meaning somewhere the setting allows us both time and space.

Myths, legends and fabricated stories inside the Bujinkan

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J wrote this text for the international on-line magazine Hanako who provide information to Bujinkan members in 67 different countries around the world. Text was publish in may 2010, volume 13, number 5.

Even though the word „Myth“ is regularly used to describe some sort of a „falsified truth“, when used in an academic approach, isn’t a terminological equal to determining truth or falsehood, which are two rather normal human categories.  There are a lot of definitions for the purpose of explaining the word „myth“. In ethnology, „myth“ is a form of explanation for the phenomenon of human genesis and the world in it’s present state. Still, through myth, one wishes to transmit a story by which tradition will be raised to gain the height of a religious significance.

Myths in the Bujinkan

During my meetings and conversations with many of the Bujinkan instructors, often I’ve had the chance to hear the story of the friendship between the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano and the last ninja Takamatsu Toshitsugu. The story always differed in some minor details, depending on who is telling it, and sometimes it went as far as Toshitsugu and Kano training together, because they lived in two neighboring cities and as a consequence of those training’s Toshitsugu Takamatsu influenced heavily the development of judo. To make the story even more convincing, some would say that something similar to this can be read on the world-famous on line encyclopedia – Wikipedia (in the part about Takamatsu). The best part of this myth comes at the end of this story. Namely, when Jigoro Kano decided to popularize judo as a new martial art, with the intention of proving it’s efficiency, he scheduled a contest between his own students and the traditional jujutsu schools which still existed at that time. Of course, Kano’s students won almost all of the duels, but one of the students fighting for his dojo were sent by Takamatsu himself, who using his Ninjutsu techniques, win his opponent with great ease. This way, Takamatsu was able to help his friend.

Listening to these stories, while zealously studying Japanese martial arts history, often I ask myself why to the instructors (and other members of our organization) have the need of creating and spreading these myths (read: lies), among the Bujinkan Dojo members?

First of all, it’s true that the birthplaces of Takamatsu Toshitsugu and Jigoro Kano, aren’t far away from one another. But the issue here is that Kano was born in 1860, while Takamatsu 1889. That is a difference of full 29 years. Besides that, when Kano was 9, his family moved to Tokyo, which is pretty far from Kobe (592km) and during the years he rarely came to his city of birth (Mikage). Regarding Takamatsu’s influence over the founding of Judo, it is enough to mention  that Judo (the Kodokan) itself was found in 1882 (1884 officially) – 7 full years before the birth of Takamatsu. It is correct however, that Kano organized duels with Jujutsu fighters, but these were usually members of the police Jujutsu teams. At this time, Takamatsu was still in his cradle, which renders false the claim that his students, who would be born much later, would be able to participate in these contests. Of course, these facts can be obtained by anyone. Every serious book on the subject of history and Japanese martial arts offer plenty of information regarding this issue.

But one could ask: Why are these lies spread among the Bujinkan membership and do they think by that our organization will become better or our art more efficient?

Certainly not, dear friends. The answer is rather simple. By spreading these lies, the gain is short-lived and will only achieve the admiration of the more light-minded students or beginners. But anyone who dives a little deeper into the world of traditional martial arts, sooner or later will discover every lie there is. By lying, we can only prove our uncertainty of knowledge about our art and technique, while reducing the respect for our organization, the Bujinkan Dojo. Therefore, if we want respect, we, as instructors who represent the Bujinkan in our countries, should sit down and get a healthy amount of knowledge about the history of Japanese martial arts. We should stop hiding our lack of knowledge behind the fantastic myths and legends, which can be told with no end visible – about the nine schools, Takamatsu, Iga, Seiko Fujita and so on.
Our knowledge alone, will assure the good reputation of our soke Masaaki Hatsumi and our organization, which to outsiders often looks as an ridiculous factory for megadan production and not as an organization with the task and dedication to keep the nine schools of the Great Master Moko-no-Tora from oblivion. Toshitsugu Takamatsu was a well respected master and warrior in his own time, and every fabrication of lies and myths will just destroy needlessly the outstanding picture of him. Myths should be based on facts, and facts are rather easy to prove, especially in Japan which is a country with a well kept history.  Do not hope that by connecting great names from the budo world we will make our art better or worth more. On the contrary, by that we just „wash away“ it’s rich historical meaning as Bujutsu.

Let us stop creating blind followers from our students by telling them pretty and „wise“ words. Those, which follow you today, will as easily follow someone with sweeter words and stories tomorrow. We do not need followers. We need leaders who think with their own head and believe in the truth, not the lies. This is the only way to raise and save the reputation of the Bujinkan.

                                                                  Igor Dovezenski

                                        Dojo-cho of Bujinkan Macedonia

The 10th "Workshop for Female Self-Defense" was held

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The tenth in a row “Workshop for Female Self-Defense” managed to gather 26 members of the fairer sex in one place and enabled them to take a two day voyage in the world of the Japanese classical martial arts. Eleven years in a row, the dojo Bujinkan Macedonia organized this event, and this year for the first time under the leadership of sempai Sanja Simonova, who together with the teacher Igor Dovezenski teaches techniques of self-defense from all kinds of situations. During the seminar, the participants had the opportunity to learn how to defend themselves from attacks with strikes, pinning to a wall, kicks, as well as situations when they find themselves on the ground. As support for Simonova and Dovezenski, always present were some of the older members of the dojo – Vladimir Antonovski, Mihail Drakalski and Filip Trajanovski. Besides the amazing companionship and incredible atmosphere, all the members of the fairer sex during the entire seminar kept the smiles on their faces, and for us that is the greatest sign of the success of the Workshop. Till next year.

Радио МОФ со прилог за претстојната „Работилница за Самоодбрана за Жени“

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Големото внимание предизвикано во јавноста поради претстојната „Работилница за Самоодбрана за Жени“, беше причина овие денови да бидеме „бомбардирани“ со покани за гостувања на многу македонски пишани и електронски медиуми.

Така, вчеравечер, бевме посетени од страна на Радио МОФ кои во текот на денов го објавија следниот прилог на нивниот веб-портал.

Да напомнеме само дека за време на вчерашниот тренинг, инструкторот Игор Довезенски предаваше техники од Аикиџуџутсу и од Нинџутсу, додека семпаи Сања Симонова демонстрираше техники на самоодбрана кои ќе се вежбат на Работилницата.

Бунинкан Македонија на ТВ24

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По повод „Работилницата за Самоодбрана за Жени“, што ќе се одржи викендов, а секако во организација на Буџинкан Македонија, нашите членови семпаи Сања Симонова, кохаи Косара Довезенска и Стефани Маневска беа гости во утринската програма „Македонија Денес“ што се емитува на ТВ24.

KyuSho – seminar for the study of the vital point of the body

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The seminar KyuSho Jutsu that took place this Saturday attracted a lot of attention from the members of Bujinkan Macedonia, and the energy that filled the dojo during the event was incredible. Around ten Warriors from Bujinkan Macedonia readily faced the pain that always is a companion when the topic is the study of the vital points of the body, and the smile on their faces never left. The Teacher Igor Dovezenski on the seminar had the time to teach about 18 vital points that when pressed or hit cause great pain in the attacker, which allows for a good defense during an undesirable situation. In the end, the participants in the event asked for it to again be held in the near future, but if possible for it to last two days, with the goal of accumulating greater knowledge about this Japanese art.

The fifth "Kids Ninja Marathon" was held

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Although because of the cold weather on the fifth “Kids Ninja Marathon” we had a lower number of kids than we usually do, that in no way diminished the quality of the event, quite the opposite – we put in even more effort into transferring knowledge and rewarding the commitment of those who decided to take part.

In this iteration we again studied techniques of self-defense, and afterwards techniques of Taihenjutsu (ninja gymnastics), and to make the atmosphere relaxed and fun we had a knowledge quiz, and in the end a screening of a martial arts film.

Next month there will another five hour marathon, dedicated to the samurai art of Daito ryu Aikijujutsu. At the same time that will be the last kids winter seminar for this semester.

Bujinkan Macedonia on the national Macedonian Television

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The members of our dojo, sempai Taki Gakovski, sempai Sanja Simonova and kohai Ksenija Dovezenska, as regular participants on the seminars organized by Bujinkan Macedonia, were invited to take part in popular “Weekly Magazine” on the national Macedonian Television. This time, the reason for our visit was the seminar “Ways of Winter Survival”. Not to delay any further, lets see the insert:

Ways of Winter Survival IX has taken place

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Yesterday on the slopes of the hill Orljak the ninth in a row seminar on the topic of “Ways of Winter Survival” was held. In contrast to last year, when the snow started raining during the event, this time it was found in abundance thanks to last week’s rains. All that was of great use to the participants in the seminar, because they were able to experience a different form of winter survival. The first seminar in the year 2019 brought about a strong sense of excitement even before it was announced, because it was known that two of our older members and regular participants in the seminar, will have the skills that they have gathered tested. In that direction, the teacher Dovezenski to his students Mihail Drakalski and Taki Gakovski showed two isolated locations in which they during five hours needed to show all their skills of winter survival which they had learned during their participation in the previous events. At the end of the day, sempai Gakovski successfully passed the test for the basics of winter survival, and with that became the second member of Bujinkan Macedonia that had succeeded in that. After the end of the seminar, Gakovski, together with shidoshi ho Opacik, shared their feeling on the internal Forum of “Taiyou e no Michi”. “Knowing that I will be alone, left on one of the hills of Orljak, at first I had a sense of fear. That feeling that I will run into wild animal I get every time that I think to go alone In nature. I don’t know why that happens to me, and that is why I keep writing in my head the kanji for ’empty’ or Mu – 無.During the entire previous week I kept thinking about the test. I kept rereading the old Reports from the seminars and read all my notes from all the events of this type. Before the start of Orljak climb, Sensei shared a few advice, and then lead the rest of our comrades in a different direction. Together with sempai Miki we took off in a direction opposite of that of the others, and after we shook hands and in a brotherly fashion wished luck to one-another, splitting up. Just as I climbed the hill, I run into a suitable place. A bolder on one side and a bush on  the other. I thought to myself “I will stay here” and immediately got to working. I left my backpack and went to search for some dry grass and twigs so I can get a fire going. Afterwards I hesitated a few times and thought of changing my location and climbing a bit higher, but I stayed put because I didn’t want to risk it. With the help of a small military shovel, I cleaned the area where I was supposed to stay and light a fire. I found it terribly hard and nearly impossible to light the branches. The moment a fire got going, it sputtered out because they were wet. Then I gave up on my plan and decided to leave the fire for latter, after which I decided to build a shelter. After I finished building, I started to gather some dry grass. I was lucky that above my location there was a lot of it. During those moments I was so motivated, I wasn’t even thinking about the thorns, or the pain from them. I used the advice of sempai Miki, and acted like I had to keep safe those closest to me – to make sure they survive. After i finished building, I got back to the fire. In the end after many attempts- I succeeded. Soon I noticed that in the hills it is very hard to keep the fire going, because everywhere there are small trees, and no big ones. That kept me going in all directions. The moment I would any dry branches I would run back to put them in the fire. That way I was always running until Sensei and my comrades came back. I was praying that they would come back sooner and I was kept going by my spirit of steel. Between me and sempai Miki there was not even a hint of rivalry, but of friendship and comradeship. Before it we constantly in contact, sharing ideas, notes and experiences, all with the goal of us both passing the test. In the end, I would like to thank Sensei and all the knowledge that he selflessly passes on to us.” – Taki Gakovski “We wrote the ninth in a row winter ninja training and again, as every year, we felt the marvelous atmosphere that is always present during this seminar. The day went by really fast, I believe that not even one monjin felt any difficulty, or any serious cold, although we were constantly out in the open. This time we created a huge sanctuary, big enough for 12 people, that was hermetically closed from all sides and very sturdily built. We got the fire going really fast, unlike previous years, and the same was kept going till the end of the training.  Sensei this time again filed us with new knowledge, that are of crucial importance during this kind of events. His experience is huge and he always has something new to share with us. And about the testing of our sempais, I would like to congratulate both of them, although only one passed the exam. But we must not forget that every failure is an experience gained, but also a motivation for truing and working harder in the future. I don’t doubt that success will come on its own, but as always – sometimes sooner, sometimes latter.” – Marko Opacik

Report for the year 2018

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After the forty five seminars held during 2018, we ask ourselves: For how long will we continue to surpass the limits that we didn’t even set for ourselves?

And as we didn’t set limits, neither did we set goals, but thanks to the enormous love towards the Japanese martial arts and with the incredible commitment that burn within us, we surpass all records – even on a global level. To be clearer, in a year there are 52 weekends, and we during the same have held 45 seminars meaning that’s the number of times we have had additional (besides the regular during the working week) specialized full day classes in Kobudo.

Lets take it from the beginning. Maybe the most important event in 2018 was the trip of the instructor Igor Dovezenski in Japan to perfect his Bujutsu and Ninjutsu in the land of the Rising Sun. During one of the trainings, the shihan Yukio Noguchi bestowed upon the leader of Bujinkan Macedonia 10th dan, with which the only recognized Macedonian dojo now has a teacher of the highest level. At the same time, soke Masaaki Hatsumi gave to Dovezenski a Bugo meaning a martial name – The Thunderous Tiger. During which, on a Kakejiku (hanging scroll) he wrote “The echo of the thunderous tiger reverberates through the mountains”. Here again we must mention the acceptance of Dovezenski in the presence of Yasuada Iizasa, the 20th Soke of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu and even in the dojo built by his ancestors.

But to return again to the seminars which more or less look like this. Twelve were dedicated to Daito ryu Aikijujutsu, from which six were held in the Hombu, and four in the dojo in Skopje. Two of them were held in nature.

As for the schools of Bujinkan, six events were organized in the Skopje dojo, while 13 in the Hombu of “Taiyou e no Michi“. To this we must add the seven Ninjutsu seminars in nature, out of which this year we shall separate the fifth “Life in the Wild”, the second “10.000 B.C.”, and the tenth in a row “The Way of the Shugenja”. Because of the planed trip to Japan of shidoshi Igor Dovezenski, this year we took part in only one international seminar in Sofia (Bulgaria), where our Teacher for Daito ryu Aikijujutsu, Certa Sensei held lessons on the behest of the Bulgarian Aikido Federation. Lets not forget the biggest event that through the years gained a legendary stature, and that is our far known “Summer Ninja Camp”, during which the instructor Dovezenski, this year for the first time thought Daito ryu Aikijujutsu (among other arts). And the vanguard as last year was (for the second time) the “Childrens Ninja Camp”. Beside all these events, the following ones also deserve to be mentioned: The Mega interview of the Leader of Bujinkan Macedonia given for the only Macedonian portal for martial arts ИПОН.МК. Afterward the excellent demonstration (Embu) by the senior members of Taiyou e no Michi” in front of the Consul of Japan in the Republic of Macedonia – Toyokazu Kubota. The participation in Heath, fitness and wellness Expo, as also the interview of Todorovski, Antovski and Gakovski for the “Weekly Magazineof the Macedonian Television. At the years end we got a new Sempai that is Sanja Simonova succesfully passed the test for the second kyu, and Sempai Filip Trajanovski became a carrier of the brown belt (first kyu). As every year, we voice our greatest thanks to all the members of the organization Taiyou e no Michi”, and especially to the older members of Bujinkan Macedonia, which with their tireless commitment allowed us the again enjoy the amassing journey through the world of the traditional Japanese martial arts (Koryu Bujutsu). We hold on the epithet of the most dynamic European dojo, and we will try to spread that epithet through the world. Because we bravely walk the Taiyou e no Michi” . We remain a happy family. We remain a synonym for Warriors. Bujinkan Macedonia runs through our veins. Eternal. Ninpo Ikkan!!!