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The training method of Bujinkan Budo involves little formality and no forced respect.The atmosphere is one of learning, with practitioners communicating and co-operating with each other while receiving guidance from the instructor.
The teaching method used has a three-fold purpose of firstly providing a realistic self protection ability; secondly, ensuring that the ability taught is appropriate to the student's skill level, and lastly, developing an above-average sense of self awareness and self-control in the practitioner.
Generally, each class attended will involve one or two of the many subjects that are studied in the Bujinkan Dojo. For example, it might be a class on blocking and striking, or grappling and throwing or a combination of both, or the application of weapons in self defence.
The pace of each class is created by one or more of four fundamental training styles, slow, soft, fast and hard. Each of these different styles offers students an important learning experience. Beginners are mostly exposed to the slow and soft style.
This provides a level at which one can easily understand and practise natural body movement, develop co-ordination and balance. With the co-operation of a willing partner at this stage, one can experience and experiment with the training aspects of distance, angling, timing and balance-breaking.
Budo Taijutsu
On a physical level, this subject covers the traditional aspects of the Bujinkan combat method which includes:
- JUNAN TAISO: Body flexibility
- DAKEN TAIJUTSU: Strikes, kicks and blocks
- JUTAIJUTSU: Grappling, throwing and limb control
- TAIHENJUTSU: Rolls, leaps and evasions
On a mental level, placed in the controlled combat environment of the dojo, a student can quickly begin to confront emotions and attitudes that are not usually recognised in everyday living. These could be, for example: aggression, ego, shyness, or fear of confronting personal limitations or even fear of failure itself.
As students express any of these non-productive aspects of their personality, they are encouraged and guided to acknowledge and overcome them, thereby enabling a greater level of success to be achieved in any and every area of their personal lives. Through the process of this training method, students develop into mature martial artists, respected for their physical attributes and balanced character.
Buki
Beginners are introduced to the application of traditional weapons in self-defence when they have demonstrated the appropriate level of self control and co-ordination. Many traditional weapons are studied (within the limits of Australian law) including:
- Bojutsu - long, medium and short stick and staff techniques
- Kenjutsu - Sword techniques
- Tantojutsu - Knife techniques
- Kusarijutsu - Short chain techniques
- Juttejutsu - arresting techniques
- Naginatajutsu - Halbard techniques
- Sojutsu - Spear techniques
- Hojojutsu - Cord and rope restraint
All bladed weapons used in training such as swords, knives etc, are of the safety variety, i.e. blunt. On some occasions these weapons are replaced with mock wooden replicas.
Students are also taught to understand the principles of self-defence that together forms the very essence of weapon use. This enables Bujinkan practitioners to instantly adapt any object of any description as an aid in self-protection.
Gradings
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu uses the traditional Japanese belt system with nine kyu grades, from beginner to Shodan (1st Dan blackbelt)
| Grade |
Belt Colour |
Crest Type |
 |
| 10th Kyu |
White |
none |
| 9th Kyu |
Green |
Kyu grade crest |
| 8th Kyu |
Green |
Kyu grade crest |
| 7th Kyu |
Green |
Kyu grade crest |
| 6th Kyu |
Green |
Kyu grade crest |
| 5th Kyu |
Green |
Kyu grade crest |
 |
| 4th Kyu |
Green |
Kyu grade crest |
| 3rd Kyu |
Brown |
Kyu grade crest |
| 2nd Kyu |
Brown |
Kyu grade crest |
| 1st Kyu |
Brown |
Kyu grade crest |
| 1st Dan |
Black |
Dan grade crest |
There are also fifteen black-belt Dan grades. Unlike in most Japanese martial arts, a black belt does not mean that a student is authorised to open a dojo and to become an instructor.
Only people of fifth dan level, also known as Shidoshi, and above may open a full dojo. (Occasionally, the title of Shidoshi-ho is given to instructors-in-training, usually at around 3rd Dan.)
Bujinkan Smith Dojo follows the guidelines as set by the Honbu Dojo - http://www.bujinkan.com/guidelines.htm
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