Martial Arts Systems: Genbukan Ninpo Bugei
	The art of the Ninja, the legendary shadow warriors of Japan, is the primary focus of the International Genbukan Ninpo Bugei organization headed by Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura of Matsubishi, Japan. Grandmaster Tanemura founded the Genbukan in November of 1984 and is dedicated to the factual portrayal and teaching of the Ninja arts in the traditional Japanese manner. The curriculum of the Genbukan is focused upon two main areas of martial arts: the first is called the Bugei Juhappan and consists of 18 categories of traditional Japanese martial arts (which are mainly Samurai arts) - these categories have changed slightly over the centuries, and contain such martial arts as Bojutsu (staff), Kenjutsu (sword) and Kyujutsu (bow). the second area of training is called the Ninja Juhakkei, and it also consists of 18 categories of secret techniques that are specific to the Ninja - the Ninja Juhakkei contains martial arts such as Taijutsu (unarmed combat methods), Rokushaku Bo-jutsu (full staff techniques) and Shuriken-jutsu (throwing blades). Combined, the Bugei Juhappan and the Ninja Juhakkei are referred to as the 36 Ninpo essentials, or Ninpo Sanjurokkei. The Genbukan Ninpo Bugei is not limited to one style (ryu), but rather includes many historical ryu in its teachings and among these are Togakure ryu, Kumogakure ryu, Kukishin ryu, Gyokko ryu, Koto ryu, Gyokushin ryu, and many others. The name Genbukan translates as "the place that nurtures the martial art professionals; the place radiating with an exquisite martial art". 'Gen' can also mean black, thus the Genbukan can be said to mean a place for the practice of martial arts which are both mysterious and marvellous. The significance is that those who master the Ninpo Bugei give light to our everyday world, a world often filled with darkness. Ninjutsu is best described as the collection of skills utilized by the Ninja while Ninpo, often referred to as "the higher order of Ninjutsu," implies a philosophy for living based on the principles of Nin. Nin translates into patience, but can also imply perseverance, or stealth. The Japanese character for Nin consists of two parts, or radicals. The upper radical is called yaiba which refers to the cutting edge of a blade. The lower radical can be read either as kokoro or shin, both of which mean heart. The character po, which implies natural law, is used rather than do (i.e. judo, kendo, aikido, etc.). Referring to our art as Ninpo rather than Ninjutsu stresses training which is concerned with the internal development of the individual's character along with the technical skills of martial training. It isn't enough just to know techniques, the heart and spirit must also be refined. For this reason, Ninpo stresses philosophical and spiritual training in conjunction with the physical training. The refinement of one's spirit is known in Japanese as seishinteki kyoyo, and is one of the most important elements to master in Ninpo training. Ninpo is concerned with the defence of the whole self, and recognizes that defence against a threat to life is dealt with by the spirit as much as with physical technique. A student of Ninpo will initially begin training in ‘Ninpo Taijutsu’ (the unarmed element), which is the backbone of the Ninpo Bugei. The student will learn basic and advanced ways of naturally moving the body (taihenjutsu) and study the many important principles associated with combat and self-protection. Ninpo is a complete system of Martial Arts, so therefore has many different useful tools for every type of personal threat. The physical skills include: learning how to fall safely (ukemi) body evasion movements (tai sabaki) striking, kicking & blocking (dakentaijutsu, koppojutsu, etc) throwing & grappling (nage & jutaijutsu) locks & controls (gyakute waza) chokes (shimewaza) escapes from holds & locks/throws (hajutsu) Ninpo is based on natural ways of moving the body, and does not rely on strength, fitness or aggression to make it work. Whether you are young or old, male or female, it will work for you, as long as you dedicate yourself to the training. The main weapon skills we focus on are: Bikenjutsu (Sword) Rokushaku Bojutsu & Hanbojutsu (6ft & 3ft Staff) Along with Taijutsu, these make up the 3 main pillars of Ninpo Bugei. Traditional Martial Arts in a modern world? Many of the schools contained within the Genbukan syllabus are hundreds of years old and are part of a long, historical and authentic lineage, passed from one Grandmaster to another, keeping the arts pure and undiluted. This is very important as the Ko Ryu (old schools) have been thoroughly tried and pressure-tested over a long period of time in a very feudal Japan. They have withstood those tests on the battlefields and beyond to leave us with those principles and techniques that do truly work. These schools are not limited to just one individual’s ideas or experiences, but many collected experiences over many generations of Masters. If something did not work, it was discarded, or more probably died with the individual attempting it! Ninpo continues to develop today and so is as alive and useful now as it was then. We are indeed very lucky to have contact with these amazing Martial Arts, thanks to the dedication and commitment of Sensei Shoto Tanemura and all the previous Masters.