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Author koryuPosted on October 13, 2009Categories Home

Bujinkan Macedonia’s instructor, Igor Dovezenski participated in a seminar in Budva, led by the shihan Steffen Fröhlich from Germany.

The theme of the seminar was Saino Kon Ki and the great master tried to explain it’s meaning through techniques and kata from Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu and Koto Ryu Koppojutsu. We trained in the open. On the first day, the weather was great, while the second was followed by windy weather and heavy rains. All of this contributed to better understanding of the ninjutsu teachings, as well as the nature of the elements water (sui) and fire (ka).

During the training, the shihan often asked Dovezenski to demonstrate kata and techniques from Gyokko and
Koto Ryu, which  was a great honor and show of trust. Master Fröhlich invited the leader of Bujinkan Macedonia to a mutual visit of the Hombu Dojo in Japan, where Dovezenski is going to take the godan (5th dan) test, which of course tells a lot about the mutual trust and respect between them. It was also discussed about the mutual plans in 2010 and the shihan stated his support for the work of Bujinkan Macedonia and emphasised that we can always count on his help of any kind.

Three days passed quick and in constant company of master Steffen Fröhlich and his student Steffen Shultz, one of Germany’s most promising young masters. It was discussed about their five day stay in Macedonia (2008), during which we evoked the nice mutual moments and memories from our country.

As usual, the organiser of the seminar in Budva, put some great effort for everything to go in orderly fashion. Congratulations.  

In the end, it remains to thank the great master Fröhlich and hid student Shultz, for the great time with them and for their always inspirational teaching of the art.

Author koryuPosted on September 28, 2009Categories Home

How far can human limits go?
During yesterday’s seminar, we discovered the answer.
In 15 hours and 40 minutes we passed almost 80 kilometres, under the motto: Move and burn or stop and die!

The seminar started with 11 people, who in 8:10 hours in the morning began the spiritual journey from the starting point at the base of the mountain Lipac. Moving over the peaks of hills, in short time passed the village of Strezovce and started entering the village of Makresh. Unfortunately, in that moment two of the attendees decided to quit the seminar.  The nine that remained continued the journey and showed really strong willpower and dedication to endure to the end. We moved along the dried riverbed of the river Petroshnica, to later move on west towards the hill Peros. Using a compass and an old topographic card, the road took us through the village of Dobracha, afterwards through the village of Bajlovce from where we climbed on the hill Visoka (764 m), in order to continue moving over the hilltops surrounding the area. We kept moving west, entering a dense pine forest followed by an oak forest, which led us too the southern base of Tatichev Kamen in the village of Kokino. That was our last destination before our journey back to Lipac. Until here, after around 30 km passed over hard terrain with a killer fast tempo of movement, a few of the attendees started getting leg cramps. Sensei Igor Dovezenski used Hichibuku Goshinjutsu in a few occasions during the seminar and succeeded in restoring the walking ability of these people. Their strong wish and dedication to achieve the goal did their part as well. We all climbed at the plateau of the ancient megalithic observatory

The way of shugenja, or rather the return from it, continued through a different route. The leader of Bujinkan Macedonia allowed a vote: they will return using the path to come here or a much easier but a lot longer road. The attendees chose the second option. The march went on with the same killer tempo as before. We returned by passing the villages of Kokino, Stepance, Puzhaljka, Dragomance, Staro Nagorichane and finally, around 20.30 hours, we arrived at the village of Mlado Nagorichane. Here, the situation  became critical for most of the attendees. Because of the full-day walking, they had wounds on their feet, trouble with their knees and muscles, and one of them even had mild disorientation and hallucination. To finish this journey we had to walk exactly 15 km more – our vehicles were left at the starting point and those were our only means of transport to Skopje. Because of the injuries that most of the people suffered, we agreed that only those that could will continue the journey and the rest will remain on the road until we return for them with our vehicles.

Thus, at 20:40 hours, the journey was continued by four warriors from Bujinkan Macedonia: sensei Igor Dovezenski, Goran Bogdanovski, Carl Campeau and the young Anton Perchinkov, who dragging his legs succeeded in passing 5 more kilometres, to afterwards remain waiting for us to reach the vehicles and come back for him. The last ten kilometres were horrible. Bogdanovski had problems with his right knee, Dovezenski had a bleeding foot, they literally dragged their feet along the dusty road, while Campeau explained that he found out how will he move when he’s 80 years old. During this, with improvised spears (jo staff with a knife bound on top of it), we had to defend ourselves a couple of times from shepherd dogs. The Shugendo seminar turned itself into a test of our survival skills. The last kilometre, we didn’t really move to finish the seminar, but to reach our vehicles and go back for our comrades, who in bad condition, hurt extremities and fever, were left to wait on the road. At 23:50, we reached the goal.

In the end, we were all happy that the seminar was a success.
We congratulated each other, and reminisced the moment when in Kokino (on the top of Tatichev Kamen), we held each others hand in a circle and obliged to an everlasting friendship. In good or bad.

Until now, when we had contact with people who trained Gendai Budo (modern martial arts), we had situations when we had to explain what exactly is Koryu Bujutsu (ancient martial arts) and why we train the nine school of Bujinkan Dojo. From now on, we are not going to explain or trying to prove anything. Anyone who wants to know, may come to the next Shugendo seminar.

Author koryuPosted on September 14, 2009Categories Home

On the 27th of September 2009, Bujinkan Macedonia members will hold the traditional spiritual journey in nature called The way of Shugenja. This year, for the first time, our students had an opportunity to choose one of the four suggested routes, they chose the route from the base of Lipac to Kokino. The total distance we will cross during the shugenjo’s way is unknown, which of course, contributes for more enjoyment, but also more alertness and carefulness. We will visit the passing churches and monasteries, as well as the rest of the passing holly places, where through meditation and prayer we will refill our lost energy. We will use only old topographic maps and compass as helpful tools.
Shugenjo is an ancient Japanese method of exploring the relations between man and nature. Literally translated, Shugenjo means “Way of training and testing”, in other words it is an ascetic discipline which has a goal to achieve self-improvement through living in mountain, meditating under cold river waterfalls, breading exercises in remote unreachable terrains, until reaching unbelievable feats through testing of one’s body and mind’s endurance. Those practicing this method are known by the name Shugenja, and the teaching is practiced in Japan to this day.
The founder of this teaching is considered to be En no Gyoja who lived near Kyoto in the 7th century A.D. Another name, by which the followers of this teaching were known, is Yamabushi or Mountain Warriors. They roamed the mountain tops of the Japanese islands, visiting and protecting the many temples.
These people, together with the deserting Chinese generals after the fall of the Tang dynasty, are considered to be the founders of the art of Ninjutsu.

Subject: Shugenjo’s Way / Spiritual journey

Day: September the 27th 2009 (Sunday)

Place: Lipac – Kokino

Schedule:
07:00 hours – leaving from Skopje
08:00 hours – arriving and starting the march
??.?? – going back

Equipment: Take everything you have, the heavier the better (and safer).

P.S. There is a possibility of encountering wild animals, rain and bad weather conditions, as well as other unforeseeable things.
*Before you enroll search our web-site for some information about the seminar from previous years.

Author koryuPosted on August 27, 2009Categories Home

We inform our students and all interested that the School for martial arts Taiyou e no Michi and the ninjutsu union Bujinkan Macedonia are going to start working on Tuesday (01.09.2009).
For now, we will train in the Hombu Dojo, while the opening of the new dojo will depend on the interest of the new students.
This month’s theme will be Joryaku no Maki (Gyokko ryu Koshijutsu) and for our weapon training, Kenjutsu (the art of sword fighting). Beginners will train according to the manual for kyu degrees.
We look foward to meeting you and our further amity.
Ganbatte!!!

Author koryuPosted on July 29, 2009Categories Home

We have successfully finished another survival seminar. Six of us survived.
During
the first day, the temperature rose above the 40th degree. Those that
took the advice of the instructor about the way they should use their
allowed 1.5 liters of water, showed that they have the biggest chances
to survive in nature.

The seminar started with a morning
training, after which, we started building shelters that would serve to
increase the chance of survival in a natural environment. After this,
each of the attendees got a meal consisted of three river oysters and
one river lobster. For desert, each of the attendees got three plums.
That was the whole food for Saturday.
After the meal, we practiced
techniques of defending against a weapon with a weapon (Buki Mamori
Buki), and afterward, we continued shooting with bow and arrows.
Besides teaching the technical aspect, during the entire day, the
instructor Igor Dovezenski transferred his knowledge to the attendees
through verbal teaching (Kuden) too. It was discussed about the
importance and part of mental aspect in nature survival situations, as
well as the history of ninjutsu and its significance in medieval Japan
(and later).

About 17.30, three of the attendees quit from the
further survival training. Warmth, thirst and tiredness did their part.
We wish them success next year.

The training continued until
late that night. In absence of moonlight and complete darkness, we
trained techniques of meditation and awakening of the danger sense
(Haragei). The evening was completed by splitting the guard duties
among the attendees. Two watch hours for each. Two hours to think in
nature and complete darkness, with thousands of stars above your head.
Two hours to ask ourselves who we ate, what we are and why we are. An
invaluable experience which is repeated every year.

After we got some
sleep (three hours of sleep on paper), the day started with training
the eight ways of cutting with a sword (Happo Giri Kenjutsu).

Afterward,
came the grand moment. Meditation on sunrise. The feeling of each
sunbeam giving birth to the new day. Entering straight under your skin,
renewing the lost energy.

An so on, the entire day. Training,
training, training. Competition in throwing shurikens. Archery
competition. And the traditional idleness, one hour before the official
end of the seminar.

As always, it proves that regular training
attendance and experience (time) spent in our dojo allow for the most
chances of success. Training gives, training takes, training makes ill,
training heals.
It showed that the predictions of sensei Dovezenski
were correct. The veterans finished the seminar with no signs of
tiredness or fatigue. Ten minutes before the end, they drank up the
last 200 mililiters of water, while some of the attendees even used it
to wash their feet. The surprise of this seminar was d-r. Petar
Davitkov, a beginner himself (9th kyu), who kept cheering the rest of
the rookies to endure and move on. His regular presence on our training
sessions proved as a great recipe for mental and physical readiness
(one missed training session in six months).

In the end, we will
show you a part of the original letter which was sent to us today by
our student Carl Campeau from Canada (who successfully finished the
seminar):

“Sensei,
Thank you very much for this survival
training. I learned a lot about myself during this weekend. Beside some
physical weaknesses, the most important are the mind ones. Moreover, no
amount of physical training in a dojo or an urban gym is a guarantee of
success in nature. It may give you an extra  chance but it is not a
guarantee.
I became aware of some of my mental weaknesses during
this weekend. I was not very talkative in order to save my energy. It
is usually my strategy
even in normal life when I am tired. While it has its advantages to keep
silent, it has also its disadvantages. You dont get a boost for the spirit.
And moreover, you cant be leading. I have noticed how you kept
people motivated by your own good spirit. That is a good example for me.
And that is where I will try to improve in the future.„

Author koryuPosted on July 29, 2009Categories Home

We announce that the Ninjutsu Union Bujinkan Macedonia and the Martial Arts schools Taiyou e no Michi will not be working during august.
As you already know, that is the only period during the year in which our dojos arent open for pracitce.
Part of our members will go to the Ninja Summer Camp. At the same time, we inform you that Your mails will be responded to after the 25th of August.
The first training in the new semester will be held of September 1st  (Tuesday). We wish you pleasant holidays. 

Author koryuPosted on July 20, 2009Categories Home

You think you are strong enough? You want to try
how skillful you (we) are? You have a perfect opinion for yourself?
We have a wonderful test for you. Only for the
strongest, bravest and the most enduring…
Bujinkan Macedonia and Taiyou e no Michi
(hombu dojo) introduce to you the traditional summer ninja seminar:

 Survival in nature

Two days in nature without bringing any food, water,
clothes or hygienic means. Two days of training, meditation and a mere
survival.

Place: Smkneno (26 km to the nearest city or hospital /
desert conditions)

Time: 25 and 26 July, 2009

Price: 1000 mkd (for the two days)

Departure: Saturday at 07.30 a.m.

Coming back: only God knows

Allowed equipment: a sleeping bag, military
uniform (pants and a shirt), one T-shirt, a hat, one pair of underwear
(comfortable), one pair of socks, a rope, knife, water can and training weapons
you can and you want to bring.

Important: it is forbidden to bring food, water and
other stuff not mentioned above. Before departure, a regular check will take
place.

The most important: the seminar is only for strong
boys and girls. The training conditions will be extremely hard, with an iron
discipline. Those who do not feel psycho-physically healthy and ready for hell,
and who are not ready to kill their own ego, please do not sign up for the
seminar. Allowed amount of drinking water is 1.5 l. Have in
mind that the temperature may rise up to 45C. It is forbidden to sit down
during the seminar (during the two days). Only 3 hours of sleep, the rest is
training. 

New: In order to have even “more
fun”, from this year the commanding structure will change. Participants will be
divided in two groupsi.e. will be
given rank chunin and genin (which will apply only for the Survival seminar).
The rank chunin will be given to the students who have participated at 3
Survival seminars, and are, in a way, veterans. They will be allowed to drink
more water and eat more food, but only if they provide it from the nature. At
the same time chunin-s will take care of the genin-s training, who are in fact
beginners and have participated at less than 3 Survival seminars.

Signing up and payment until 23rd July at
the club’s secretary.

For any additional information, please do not hesitate
to contact us through our e-mail.

Please, abstain from crying at the seminar.

Author koryuPosted on July 15, 2009Categories Home

Ninjutsu
Union Bujinkan Macedonia, as
one of the most active martial arts clubs in the Balkans, is the first which
has built a Ninjutsu Training Centre in the region of Southeast
Europe. The Centre is out in nature, is a camp-type facility and
is built on a Bujinkan Macedonia’s private property.

Primarily,
the
camp is envisaged to serve as a training centre of the Bujinkan
Macedonia
members for their training in August (the only month when the schools
on the Union don’t work). The training in the camp will differ
from the one in the dojo-s since it will enable practicing taijutsu
techniques
(with a body) and buki waza (with weapon) – techniques which are
inadequate for
practicing in the closed space (such as practice with an arrow and a
bow).

At
the same time, the camp will serve as a centre for regular training, additional
training, or a centre for conditional training for people practicing martial
arts who can make use of ninjutsu in development of their skills and improve
personal results. The doors of the camp are, as well, open to those who would
like to lower their weight or to strengthen their muscles in a natural way,
through exercise and healthy diet. The centre will also serve as a place for
recreation and relaxation of the mind and the body through various kinds of
meditation and exercises.

Ninja
Summer Camp, taking place between 04th and 12th of
August, is open for non-members of Bujinkan Macedonia but are willing to get
familiar with us and our martial art. For those participants training sessions
are not obligatory and they organize activities for themselves (or in
cooperation with us), i.e. enjoy the benefits of the clean air, organic food,
river beaches, same as usual summer holidays.

Further
on, our training centre is a place that abounds with conditions for self-improvement
through different psychical and mental exercises in an exciting way.

It is envisaged that this Ninja Camp
slowly becomes Hombu Dojo of Ninjutsu Union Bujinkan Macedonia, by
building a facility which will encompass all conditions and characteristics of
a real Japanese dojo.

In a few days we will provide a new
web location dedicated specifically for the Ninja Summer Camp.

Author koryuPosted on July 13, 2009Categories Home

Heavy
rains and a high water level of Kriva Reka in past few days were the
reasons why the subject Sui Ren was replaced with Yumi Ya Jutsu (a
skill for using an arrow and a bow).
As
every other year, sensei Dovezenski has at first introduced the
students a history and the usage of this weapon, and then he has
demonstrated the way of making the one. Since the students have
comprehended the skill of making an arrow and a bow, with short but a
strong marsh, they all directed towards the place called Krshche, in
the surroundings of Elenachki Kladenec. Here, the basic training for
hitting a target with different kamae (positions of the body) begun.
Besides the technical details and characteristics of Yumi Ya Jutsu, the
students were, as well, introduced with the philosophy and strategy
needed for a successful understanding of this skill.
The
last part of the seminar was dedicated to practice with a crossbow
weapon. As always, the students had an opportunity to enrich and
complete their knowledge by repeating the old techniques, but learning
new ones as well, which will make them think for a long time about this
ancient martial art.

Author koryuPosted on July 7, 2009Categories Home

On the 12th of July 2009, Bujinkan Macedonia is organizing the traditional outdoors seminar Sui Ren (training in water).
This
will be another great possibility for all members to learn more about
this skill which is one of the 18 basic martial arts (Ninja Juhakkei),
that every ninja had to master during his training.

Subject:
Sui Ren/ ways of crossing through water, silent entrance in water,
water as a weapon, tools for breathing under water, invisibility in
water, survival through securing food and drinking water etc.

Day: 12th of July 2009 (Sunday)

Place: Glushchevo Gjerme on Kriva Reka (River Kriva)

Schedule: 08:30 hours – leaving from Skopje
                09:30 hours – arriving
                10:00 – 16:00 hours – theoretical and practical part
                16:30 – going back

Price: 1000 denars (the price includes: seminar fee and transportation)
The seminar will be held no matter the weather conditions.