bujinkan manitoba | Finding & Joining a Dojo

You have scoured the internet, read some books, developed a pretty good idea of what Bujinkan training entails and decided, "Yup! That's for me!" Now what?

First understand the rules and guidelines you will be expected to follow. From there you will need to locate a Dojo with a legitimate instructor, make initial contact, verify their credentials, etc., then begin training.

Be Aware of the Rules and Regulations of the Bujinkan Dojo.
There are certain guidelines that you need to be aware of before joining a Dojo. These guidelines were set by Hatsumi-sensei for the international membership of the Bujinkan. Some Dojo have additional rules/regulations which usually outline any etiquette, etc., associated with training. These are pretty standard and are mostly based upon common sense. Despite what some think, training in Japan is not done in a regimented fashion and doesn't need to be anywhere else. (1)

As a prospective member of the Bujinkan you need to understand these rules and regulations. When you join the Bujinkan you will be expected to uphold them. Knowledge of these rules and regulations prior to making contact with an instructor will also help you to interview them. At the very least, you will know what certification they should be able to produce. You should ask to see it (see below).

Locating a Dojo/Instructor

How do you locate a Dojo near you which is affiliated to the Bujinkan Hombu?
If you live in Canada feel free to contact us for assistance. If you live outside of Canada, check the dojo directory at winjutsu.com and/or do a Google search. Locally, you should check your 'Yellow Pages' telephone directory, pay a visit to the nearest martial arts supply store and network with other martial artists in your community.

If you do find a Dojo near you, ideally the instructor will be a member of the Shidoshikai. If he/she is not a member of the Shidoshikai, then they should be able to give you the name (and contact information) for the Shidoshikai member who is serving as their mentor/sponsor. This person will be the one who sets the framework for your training, issues rank promotion and submits membership fees to the Bujinkan Hombu on your behalf.

First Contact
During initial contact it helps if you provide some information about yourself. Prior martial training experience is not as important as who you are as a person, and what you hope to achieve/gain through your involvement in the Bujinkan. You should also be prepared to ask some questions of your own. Think about these questions before you attempt contact. This way the time you spend talking/emailing is put to good use.

Verifying Instructor Credentials
As outlined in the Bujinkan Rules and Guidelines, there are two types of 'instructor license'; Shidoshi-ho and Shidoshi. Both are currently issued by Hatsumi-sensei directly to the recipients. He brushes them out by hand and adds various seals to authenticate them.

Shidoshi-ho are 'assistant instructors' holding minimum of shodan (first-degree black belt) rank. In addition to their actual rank certificate they will possess a shidoshi-ho menkyo (license) and a current (for this year) Shidoshikai (Instructors Association) membership card. (2)

Shidoshi are 'instructors' holding minimum of godan (fifth degree black belt) rank. In addition to their actual rank certificate they will possess a shidoshi menkyo (license) and a current (for this year) Shidoshikai (Instructors Association) membership card.

To put it simply, any instructor who claims to be either shidoshi-ho or shidoshi but is hesitant to show their current Shidoshi-kai membership card to you should be treated with suspicion. Likewise for someone who does not want to discuss their lineage; their teacher, their teacher's teacher, etc.

What happens if there isn't a shidoshi-ho or shidoshi in your area?

First, are you sure there are no certified instructors in your area? Be sure to check the links above and ask on the online Bujinkan discussion forum. Perhaps you need to adjust your idea of the size of 'your area'. It may be that you will need to travel a little to train. Convenience should not be a factor when looking for an instructor.

With that said, you've exhausted all sources and are sure there are no certified instructors in your area. However you have located someone running a training group. This person may be Kyu (green belt) grade or perhaps Dan (black belt) level without a shidoshi-ho or shidoshi teaching license [see note (2) above]. Now what?

If the person is honest with you about their experience and who their mentor/instructor is, things are fine (3). As long as you understand and are comfrtable with the fact that
a) they can not issue any rank promotion to you (only Shidoshikai members can do this) and
b) their mentor/instructor will technically be your instructor, then jump in and get training!

Some other important points to consider when looking for an instructor. Your chosen instructor should:

• inspire you (not just 'impress');
• have a personality agreeable to your own; and
• should have life perspectives and values agreeable to your own.

The person you pick as your instructor is going to be a huge influence on you, perhaps for many years/decades. The people you meet through training are also going to influence you. Indirectly, these people are also going to influence how you interact with your friends and family. Choose your instructor and your Dojo well. This is especially important when choosing an instructor for your children!

Bujinkan Hombu Membership and Rank Promotion

Through your Shidoshi you will submit an annual membership fee to the Bujinkan Hombu. The base fee is 2,000 yen. Some Dojo also have a local membership fee, so the actual amount you pay may vary. You need to check this with your instructor.

Regardless of what you pay, one of the things you should receive in return for your membership fee is a general membership card from the Bujinkan Hombu. This card is yellow and has writing in English on the front, with the corresponding Japanese on the back. The name of the bearer is usually written in the space between the words "Bujinkan Dojo" and the paragraph below.

Some Dojo issue their own membership cards, etc., in addition to Hombu membership cards. As long as they are issuing them in addition to, not in place of, the Hombu cards, this is fine. If you pay a membership fee, and receive something other than the card described above start asking questions. Chances are none of the fee you paid has been forwarded to Hatsumi-sensei and the Bujinkan Hombu. The same applies to rank promotion certificates. The rules and regulations are very clear on these points.

What About Distance Learning (via Video, etc.)?

There are a number of packages marketed as "home study courses" that promise training and rank in the Bujinkan. Regardless of how well they are made, and regardless of who produces them, these courses can never serve as a primary source for learning. In reality these products do more for the person producing them [make them money] than they do for those buying them.

While books and DVDs can serve as great secondary, reference materials, they cannot offer you feedback or correct your bad habits. The nuances of technique cannot be conveyed in a book or captured by a camera. Technique can only be learned through direct experience; interacting physically with a knowledgeable guide.

Rather than being a mediocre [at best] "home study" student, better to join a local club teaching another martial art and excel at that.

Final Words on Locating a Dojo

If you don't have any luck with the suggestions provided on this page, visit the online Bujinkan discussion forum and politely ask for help there. Some Dojo are small, close knit groups and do not do much in the way of promotion. New members come in through word of mouth. There may be someone training in your area, they just choose not to advertise.