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About Budo Taijutsu (武道体術)

Let’s start with literal definitions of these Japanese words.

  • Budo (武道) refers to the art of war or combat.
  • Taijutsu (体術) is skill with the body or body technique.

So, a basic idea of budo taijutsu is to practice the body skills necessary for combat. This includes unarmed techniques like striking, joint manipulation, and throws as well as working with weapons. As such, our classes incorporate the study of classical techniques (armed and unarmed) as well as a modern approach to self-protection.

About The Bujinkan

The Bujinkan is an international martial arts organization headquartered in Noda, Japan. 

This curriculum is comprised of nine separate ryūha, or schools, which are collectively referred to as Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu. The classical schools are as follows:

  • Gyokko ryū Kosshi-jutsu (玉虎流骨指術)
  • Kotō Ryū Koppō-jutsu (虎倒流骨法術)
  • Kuki Shinden Ryū Happō Biken-jutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)
  • Shinden Fudo Ryū Daken Taijutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術)
  • Takagi Yoshin Ryū Jūtai jutsu (高木揚心流柔体術)
  • Gikan Ryū Koppō jutsu (義鑑流骨法術)
  • Togakure Ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術)
  • Gyokushin Ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法)
  • Kumogakure Ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法)

Bujinkan focuses on practical self-defense techniques using body movement, balance, and positioning to defeat opponents. Core training includes taijutsu—the practice of unarmed skills involving blocks, throws, strikes, holds, and joint locks—as well as ninjutsu and happo biken jutsu, which incorporates the use of modern and traditional weaponry into training. 

Until 2019, the organization was headed by Sōke Masaaki Hatsumi. With his retirement, which coincided with his 88th birthday, Sōke Hatsumi named nine successors to oversee each of the systems that make up Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. 

Oral history traces Bujinkan lineage to schools that—dating back to feudal Japan—traditionally trained the warriors known as samurai and ninja. While modern, sanctioned Bujinkan dojos and instructors respect this history and are proud of the system’s fascinating origins, they are focused on teaching students the art’s real-world, contemporary applications.

Read more about Kitsap Martial Arts approach to teaching Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.