The combat system taught by this organization comprises nine separate ryūha, or schools, which are collectively referred to as Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu.
[2] These are:[5][6] At around the time of Hatsumi's 88th birthday (Beiju: ja:米寿) on 2 December 2019, he announced [7] his successors for most of the above schools: Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu training does not include participation in competitions or contests,[8] as the school's training aims to develop the ability to protect oneself and others using techniques that focus on disabling an attacker (and/or removing their desire/ability to continue) as quickly and efficiently as possible.
[9] This training is conducted in a manner in which there are predefined "attackers" (tori) and "receivers" (uke) similar to drills in judo (gokyo) or traditional Japanese martial arts.
The approach used in the Bujinkan includes gaining compliance through pain and utilising potentially damaging techniques in order to survive dangerous situations rather than focusing on winning a competition or evenly matched duel.
[9] As a result, many of the staple responses of a Bujinkan student would be inappropriate in most competitions, but in ring environment the principles of the training can be employed.
One mainstay criticism of Bujinkan training, which is a misconception is that it does not necessarily involve testing techniques (locks, throws, chokes, strikes, etc.)
In more advanced training, the attacker will sometimes apply reversal techniques (返し技, kaeshi-waza) to regain balance and disable the defender.
Before receiving the 9th kyu (the lowest rank), a student must demonstrate the ability to roll smoothly in a variety of directions without exposing the neck to injury.
The exercises promote relaxation, blood circulation, muscle toning and flexibility,[16] and form a core part of all training sessions.
[22] As a result, some researchers assert that there is no way to independently verify the oral lineage included in the Togakure Ryu tradition.
[23] In the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten the researchers list the full lineage for Togakure-ryū stating the following: "The succession is an oral tradition from Toda Shinryūken.
Depending on what years a student has studied in Japan, they may find that their focus reflects the themes or schools taught during their time.
[31][32][33][34][35] According to the Bujinkan martial arts organization, Gyokushin-ryū was founded in the mid-16th century by Sasaki Goeman Teruyoshi, who was also sōke of Gyokko-ryū, which explains the similarities between the two styles.
[30] According to Bujinkan members, Ninja Jūhakkei (the eighteen disciplines) were first identified in the scrolls of Togakure-ryū (戸隠流), or "School of the Hidden Door", founded during the Oho period (1161–62) by one Daisuke Nishina (Togakure), who learned a life view and techniques (ninjutsu) from Kagakure Doshi.
At 5th dan the training focus changes to becoming more responsive and responding naturally in dynamic & increasingly challenging situations.
[8][38] After passing this test, a practitioner is considered to be under the protection of the Bujin, or Guiding Spirits, and is entitled to apply for a teaching license (shidōshi menkyo).
The practitioner's level is displayed by the color of the art's emblem, called wappen (ワッペン) inscribed with the kanji "bu"(武) and "jin" (神).
Following 10 Dan, Chi, Sun, Ka, Fu, and Ku), sometimes augmented with up to four silver, gold or white stars (called hoshi) above or around the emblem, representing the individual ranks.
In addition to the kyu/dan system, a few practitioners have earned menkyo kaiden "licenses of complete transmission" in individual schools.
Modern Togakure-ryu and various historical claims are taught by Masaaki Hatsumi (Takamatsu's successor) and the Bujinkan organization.