Masaaki Hatsumi, (born 2 December 1931) is the founder and current Soke, or Grandmaster, of the Bujinkan Organization, currently residing and teaching in the city of Noda, Chiba, Japan. He is also a doctor of oriental medicine, specializing in the mending of bones.
He is sometimes called “the last ninja”, as after the death of his
teacher Toshitsugu Takamatsu in 1972 he was the only person in the
world who mastered all the eighteen disciplines of ninjutsu.
Beginning in
childhood, Masaaki Hatsumi studied several popular martial arts. After
teaching martial arts to American soldiers stationed in Japan
he noticed that the larger and stronger Americans had an advantage in
battles when using the same techniques. He began to question the
legitimacy of modern martial arts training and started to search for a
one where persons of equal skill truly were equals, even if the other
one was stronger. It was after this time, while studying ancient
Japanese weaponry, that he learned of ninjutsu and a martial artist
named Toshitsugu Takamatsu who still knew it.
In 1957 he began making regular trips to train with his new teacher (who resided at the time in Kashiwabara, in Nara), taking a 15-hour train ride from his hometown of Noda in Chiba. This one-on-one training continued for 15 years until the passing of Toshitsugu Takamatsu in 1972.
More information in Macedonian version.
Author: koryu
The Path of Shugenja® VII (The Final Journey)
The warriors from the traditional Japanese martial arts dojo, Bujinkan Macedonia, this year for the last time are going to have the spiritual journey called „The Path of Shugenja“.
After seven years since the first march, shidoshi Igor Dovezenski decided it is time this event too to go in the „history“, and to join the other feats that Bujinkan Macedonia is known for.
What is this event about?
Twenty days before this event, instructor Dovezenski lays out a geographic map of Macedonia on the ground, and then with his eyes tied shut points to a specific location. Then with a ruler he draws the direction from the start to the finish point. Afterwards, the participants of the seminar follow that route regardless of the terrain conditions. In average, the route that is walked is about 50 kilometers, and the record was set in 2009, when the members of Bujinkan Macedonia walked 80 kilometers in 15 hours and 40 minutes.
Shugendo is an ancient Japanese method that explores the relations between man and nature. Shugendo means „Path through training and testing“, more precise it is an ascetic discipline that has a goal to achieve self-improvement by withdrawal in mountains, meditation under waterfalls and cold rivers, breathing exercises on unreachable terrain, everything to achieving incredible feats through testing the physical and mental endurance. Those who practice this method, are known under the name of Shugenja, and the teaching is practiced even today in Japan.
As the founder of the teaching is considered En no Gyoja, who lived near Kyoto during the 7th century a.d. The other name that these followers were known for, is Yamabushi or Mountain Warriors. They cruised the mountain ridges of the Japanese islands visiting and protecting the many shrines. Some scholars believe that exactly these people, joined with the fleeing Chinese generals after the fall of the Tang dynasty, are considered to be the founders of the art Ninjutsu.
Theme: The Path of Shugenja / Spiritual journey
Date: 29th September, 2013 (Sunday)
Location: Lipac – Sekulica (Skala*) – Lipac
Program:
07.00 hours – departure from Skopje
08.00 hours – arrival and beginning of the march
Return – only God knows!
Equipment: Take everything you like. Everything is on Your responsibility and conscience.
P.S. Encounters with wild animals, rain, storm and other unforeseen things are not excluded. Everyone comes at their own risk. Before you apply, check the information on our web-site from the previous years.
* on the lower photo is the farthest point of the journey, the place called Skala.
The Path of Shugenja® VII (The Final Journey)
The warriors from the traditional Japanese martial arts dojo, Bujinkan Macedonia, this year for the last time are going to have the spiritual journey called „The Path of Shugenja“.
After seven years since the first march, shidoshi Igor Dovezenski decided it is time this event too to go in the „history“, and to join the other feats that Bujinkan Macedonia is known for.
What is this event about?
Twenty days before this event, instructor Dovezenski lays out a geographic map of Macedonia on the ground, and then with his eyes tied shut points to a specific location. Then with a ruler he draws the direction from the start to the finish point. Afterwards, the participants of the seminar follow that route regardless of the terrain conditions. In average, the route that is walked is about 50 kilometers, and the record was set in 2009, when the members of Bujinkan Macedonia walked 80 kilometers in 15 hours and 40 minutes.
Shugendo is an ancient Japanese method that explores the relations between man and nature. Shugendo means „Path through training and testing“, more precise it is an ascetic discipline that has a goal to achieve self-improvement by withdrawal in mountains, meditation under waterfalls and cold rivers, breathing exercises on unreachable terrain, everything to achieving incredible feats through testing the physical and mental endurance. Those who practice this method, are known under the name of Shugenja, and the teaching is practiced even today in Japan.
As the founder of the teaching is considered En no Gyoja, who lived near Kyoto during the 7th century a.d. The other name that these followers were known for, is Yamabushi or Mountain Warriors. They cruised the mountain ridges of the Japanese islands visiting and protecting the many shrines. Some scholars believe that exactly these people, joined with the fleeing Chinese generals after the fall of the Tang dynasty, are considered to be the founders of the art Ninjutsu.
Theme: The Path of Shugenja / Spiritual journey
Date: 29th September, 2013 (Sunday)
Location: Lipac – Sekulica (Skala*) – Lipac
Program:
07.00 hours – departure from Skopje
08.00 hours – arrival and beginning of the march
Return – only God knows!
Equipment: Take everything you like. Everything is on Your responsibility and conscience.
P.S. Encounters with wild animals, rain, storm and other unforeseen things are not excluded. Everyone comes at their own risk. Before you apply, check the information on our web-site from the previous years.
* on the lower photo is the farthest point of the journey, the place called Skala.
Accepting new members in September in Bujinkan Macedonia
The School of Japanese traditional martial arts, Bujinkan Macedonia, from the second of September starts with the enrollment of new members.
The trainings are held in Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, under the guidance of good instructors with several years of experience and licensed directly from the leader of the international organization Bujinkan Dojo, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.
We inform the public, that in recent times in the Republic of Macedonia, a lot of fake clubs have appeared that claim that they teach the arts of Bujinkan. Before you start training in some of them, always ask the instructor to show You his license (shidoshi menkyo) for teaching, the diploma for 5th dan, as well as the annual membership card of the organization. You can search the Internet and see what they look like. Without those documents, no one can open a ninjutsu dojo and to use the name of the organization Bujinkan. Every excuse for the lack of the documents mentioned, represents an attempt of the „instructor“ to deceive You and to get away from the truth.
The School of martial arts Bujinkan Macedonia is the only representative in our country for Bujinkan (Ninjutsu), and the dojo works continuously since 1995. Instructor Igor Dovezenski (shidoshi) is the only licensed teacher with 25 years of experience in classical Japanese martial arts, and collaborates and is a member in several renown koryu organizations.
Beside the titles in Bujinkan, shidoshi Dovezenski is a carrier of degrees in Daito ryu Aikijujutsu (shidoin), and recently he started researching the oldest Japanese martial school – Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu.
Even though new members can apply through out the year, it is best to start with training in September, because at that time a beginner group is formed.
All future members can get more information by our e-mail:
daito_macedonia@yahoo.com or by phone: 071 277 457.
We`re expecting You.
Accepting new members in September in Bujinkan Macedonia
The School of Japanese traditional martial arts, Bujinkan Macedonia, from the second of September starts with the enrollment of new members.
The trainings are held in Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, under the guidance of good instructors with several years of experience and licensed directly from the leader of the international organization Bujinkan Dojo, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.
We inform the public, that in recent times in the Republic of Macedonia, a lot of fake clubs have appeared that claim that they teach the arts of Bujinkan. Before you start training in some of them, always ask the instructor to show You his license (shidoshi menkyo) for teaching, the diploma for 5th dan, as well as the annual membership card of the organization. You can search the Internet and see what they look like. Without those documents, no one can open a ninjutsu dojo and to use the name of the organization Bujinkan. Every excuse for the lack of the documents mentioned, represents an attempt of the „instructor“ to deceive You and to get away from the truth.
The School of martial arts Bujinkan Macedonia is the only representative in our country for Bujinkan (Ninjutsu), and the dojo works continuously since 1995. Instructor Igor Dovezenski (shidoshi) is the only licensed teacher with 25 years of experience in classical Japanese martial arts, and collaborates and is a member in several renown koryu organizations.
Beside the titles in Bujinkan, shidoshi Dovezenski is a carrier of degrees in Daito ryu Aikijujutsu (shidoin), and recently he started researching the oldest Japanese martial school – Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu.
Even though new members can apply through out the year, it is best to start with training in September, because at that time a beginner group is formed.
All future members can get more information by our e-mail:
daito_macedonia@yahoo.com or by phone: 071 277 457.
We`re expecting You.
Summer Ninja Camp V held
Nine days of the fifth in a row Summer Ninja Camp will be remembered after the fanatic training and the fun we had together, organized by the School of classical Japanese martial arts Bujinkan Macedonia.
This time too, instead of a report, You can read some of the impressions of the participants:
– I am pleasantly surprised by the camp and its activities. A lot of things left me great impressions, but I will mention the expedition through the river, the night actions and the last night spent with laughter. Also, great „positive“ impression was left by one boken on my head. I liked the school we learned a lot, and the knowledge will come in handy for my next test for 9th kyu. (Taki G.)
– Every day was really good and positive. I can’t even describe the night trainings, which were exceptionally good, and also, the waterfall at the dam and the bathing in the river left me with great impressions. The last night was great, especially the corn on the barbecue, the laughter, the beer and the good time spent together. (Mihail D.)
– This is my 5th camp and at all of them I had a great time. But this was my most successful. I did my best and trained with maximal 100%. The food was great as always, and following that satisfying trips to the toilet. Thank you Sensei for the motivation, selflessness during the lectures and the lessons and support. Gratitude to all that went out of their way to keep our bellies full. See you next year!!! (Toshe A.)
– This was my first camp, but definitely not the last one. I spent nine unforgettable days and discovered a lot new things in life. The trainings were great, the school was perfect, and most interesting to me were the night actions. The food was unbelievably delicious and I waited every meal with all my heart. For the last night I have no words… relaxing near the fire with roasted corn and beer under the open starry sky under Lipac. Perfect!!!
At the end, a big thanks to You Sensei for the support, and mostly for the critique that you wrote me on a little piece of paper. I hope I will not disappoint you. (Dragana L.)
Summer Ninja Camp V held
Nine days of the fifth in a row Summer Ninja Camp will be remembered after the fanatic training and the fun we had together, organized by the School of classical Japanese martial arts Bujinkan Macedonia.
This time too, instead of a report, You can read some of the impressions of the participants:
– I am pleasantly surprised by the camp and its activities. A lot of things left me great impressions, but I will mention the expedition through the river, the night actions and the last night spent with laughter. Also, great „positive“ impression was left by one boken on my head. I liked the school we learned a lot, and the knowledge will come in handy for my next test for 9th kyu. (Taki G.)
– Every day was really good and positive. I can’t even describe the night trainings, which were exceptionally good, and also, the waterfall at the dam and the bathing in the river left me with great impressions. The last night was great, especially the corn on the barbecue, the laughter, the beer and the good time spent together. (Mihail D.)
– This is my 5th camp and at all of them I had a great time. But this was my most successful. I did my best and trained with maximal 100%. The food was great as always, and following that satisfying trips to the toilet. Thank you Sensei for the motivation, selflessness during the lectures and the lessons and support. Gratitude to all that went out of their way to keep our bellies full. See you next year!!! (Toshe A.)
– This was my first camp, but definitely not the last one. I spent nine unforgettable days and discovered a lot new things in life. The trainings were great, the school was perfect, and most interesting to me were the night actions. The food was unbelievably delicious and I waited every meal with all my heart. For the last night I have no words… relaxing near the fire with roasted corn and beer under the open starry sky under Lipac. Perfect!!!
At the end, a big thanks to You Sensei for the support, and mostly for the critique that you wrote me on a little piece of paper. I hope I will not disappoint you. (Dragana L.)
Summer Ninja Camp V
Only four days separate us from the start of the fifth in a row Summer Ninja Camp in organization of the School for classical Japanese martial arts – Bujinkan Macedonia.
As every year, the camp is going to be held from 4th to 12th August, in the hombu dojo of the organization Taiyou e no Michi, located in the valley under the Mountain Lipac.
While some of our members use August as the only month for rest from the hard trainings, others give priority to the Summer Ninja Camp of Bujinkan Macedonia. So, the trainings continue with even greater pace, „reinforced“ with incredibly good party and befriending.
This event is open for all, regardless of the affiliation, style or degree in other martial arts. This is a chance to get to know our work up close and to hang out with the members of Bujinkan Macedonia.
Few days for application remaining.
More information here:
Summer Ninja Camp V
Only four days separate us from the start of the fifth in a row Summer Ninja Camp in organization of the School for classical Japanese martial arts – Bujinkan Macedonia.
As every year, the camp is going to be held from 4th to 12th August, in the hombu dojo of the organization Taiyou e no Michi, located in the valley under the Mountain Lipac.
While some of our members use August as the only month for rest from the hard trainings, others give priority to the Summer Ninja Camp of Bujinkan Macedonia. So, the trainings continue with even greater pace, „reinforced“ with incredibly good party and befriending.
This event is open for all, regardless of the affiliation, style or degree in other martial arts. This is a chance to get to know our work up close and to hang out with the members of Bujinkan Macedonia.
Few days for application remaining.
More information here:
„The Last battle“ took place
We survived the final battle with Nature and with that we put an end to one beautiful befriending and getting to know each other. We’ve put an end to one extreme testing for which the next generations of our dojo will talk about.
Seven years in a row, the warriors of Bujinkan Macedonia put to test their endurance and persistence through unseen feat, known as „Survival in nature“. But, as all good things come to an end, we finished this journey.
Fortunately successful again!
This weekend, for the last time, eleven members of the dojo took part in the „last battle“ with the nature and with themselves. Eight of them managed to „survive“ and to win the battle with their minds and bodies. Three of the participants despite their great desire, failed to withstand the golgotha under the hot sun. Their bodies gave away and they had to quit sooner.
The seminar started in 08.00 o`clock on Saturday, when the group went for the place called S`mkneno. It’s a natural landslide located between two almost bare hills, where there’s no shadow or protection from the hot sun. The whole terrain abounds with sand, pebbles and rocks, and the environment itself is tempting only for several species of insects and wild animals.
Since the arrival, the training and setting the camp was immediately started that went on simultaneously until 23.00 o`clock, with purpose not to let the negative thoughts prevail, and at the same time the body and spirit to be held under great pressure.
The first day of the seminar, two participants quit. The hard training and the high temperature, which was 37 degrees Celsius, and the dehydration due to the small amounts of water allowed for drinking took its tool. They had pressure in the chest followed by stong heartbeat, uncontrolled sweating and heart rhythm disorder.
The night went well, with guarding and three hours of sleep, which is the only rest where complete sitting or lying is allowed.
On Sunday at 05.00 o`clock before sunrise, the warriors already awake headed to the nearby hill where kenjutsu training started. Around 05.30 o`clock, the participants greeted the sunrise, and then continued with the training. At 09.00 o`clock, they started with meditation in the bed of the dried waterfall, and then with strong march the group headed to the place „Stari Lozja“, where the usual activities continued.
The second day the temperature was lower for one degree (36 Celsius), but the fatigue was visibly greater, so another member had to quit because of a sunstroke that started to cause problems with the orientation, and afterwards caused great headache followed but vomiting.
At 16.00 o`clock, the leader of Bujinkan Macedonia announced the end of the seminar, and soon after the participants returned to the starting point where they got water and fruit to regain their strength.
So, this great event for Bujinkan Macedonia ended, which we organized for seven years in a row and we will remember it with great pleasure and pride.
To all participants who „survived“, we congratulate them that became part of the history of the dojo, and to the others that quit, we also congratulate for the shown courage to take part in the event.
Ninpo Ikkan!!!