Bujinkan Hatsumi Dojo

Subject: Bujinkan Hatsumi Dojo Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:14 am

Deep inside Evanwing Square, a dojo stands twenty stories high and matches the Apex building in width. On both sides of the dojo are two buildings that are five stories taller than the dojo itself. Those two buildings share the same style and holds the more serious members of the dojo who live and breath martial arts. All of those who work for this dojo, besides the ten sōke, either have jobs outside of the dojo or are paid with housing, clothing, food, and nothing else. This dojo is the only dojo in this city. It started small and Apex almost demolished it but they were persuaded not to by Aotenjou Igyou, a huge political figure. They decided if they were not to destroy it, that Apex employees were to be trained for free while Apex will help fund the dojo. Only the Ten heads of the dojo know about Apex having control of the dojo from the shadows. Business aside, there are nine martial arts lineages that teach at this dojo. Each have their own two floors to use for themselves and each has a Sōke. Although, there is one sōke that is above all nine of them, which is the founder of the dojo, Masaaki Hatsumi. He the only master of the style called Bujinkan, the combination of all nine martial arts. He also lives in the top floor of the dojo while the bottome floor consist of the front lobby and the food court. The dojo does not have an elevator, only stairs that go down each corner of the building.

The nine martial arts lineages that teach at this dojo are (The higher the floor, the more prestige):

Name (A.K.A.) Floor
Togakure Ryū Hidensho (School of the Hidden Door) 18-19
Gyokko Ryū Kosshijutsu (Jade School) 16-17
Kukishin Ryū Happō (Ninth Gods Spirit School) 14-15
Kotō-ryū Kappōjutsu(Knocking down the Tiger School) 12-13
Shinden Fudô Ryû (Ninja School of Nature) 10-11
Takagi Yōshin-ryū (Tall Willow Tree School) 8-9
Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu (School of Truth, Loyalty, and Justice) 6-7
Gyokushin-ryū Ninpō (The Jeweled Heart School) 4-5
Kumogakure-ryū Hiken (The Hidden in the Clouds School) 2-3

The price of attending the dojo is 200$ a month but an additional fee when you first join is 400$. That will provide you your training clothing and training gear. It's 40,000$ for a ten year live-in membership. There are no junior classes so you must be 18 or older to join. There are seven laws that all members and students must memorize and follow besides the laws the city already has. There are some schools that have their own personal laws. Rank is ranged from 9th Kyu to 1st Kyu then from 1st Dan to 10th Dan. Live-in members earn their rank through tests while members rank up through recommendations from their sensei's or sōke.

1. The Bujinkan shall be open to only those who agree with and uphold the guidelines of the Bujinkan Dojo. Those not doing so shall not be allowed to join. Specifically: Only those who have read and agreed with these guidelines shall be allowed to participate.

2. Only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication shall be allowed to participate. A physician's examination report shall be required. Specifically, individuals with mental illness, drug addiction, or mental instability shall be barred from joining. The necessity of such a report concerns individuals who may present a danger to others, for example, those with infectious diseases or illnesses, individuals with clinically abnormal personalities or physiology, and individuals lacking self-control.

3. Individuals with criminal records shall be turned away. Trouble makers, those who commit crimes, and those who break domestic laws shall be turned away.

4. Those not upholding the guidelines of the Bujinkan, either as practitioners or as members of society, by committing disgraceful or reproachable acts shall be expelled. Until now, the Bujinkan was open to large numbers of people who came to Japan. Among them, unfortunately, were those committing violent drunken acts, the mentally ill, and trouble makers who thought only of themselves and failed to see how their actions might adversely affect others. Through their actions, such people were discarding the traditional righteous heart of the Bujinkan. From this day forward, all such people shall be expelled.

5. Regarding accidents occurring during training (both inside and outside the dojo), one should not cause trouble to the Bujinkan. This is an extremely important point. Those unwilling to take personal responsibility for accidents occurring during Bujinkan training shall not be admitted. Reiterating for clarity, the Bujinkan shall not take responsibility for any accidents happening in the course of training, regardless of the location.

6. All those joining the Bujinkan must get an annual membership card. This card not only preserves the honor of the Bujinkan members, it indicates you are part of a larger whole--one whose members come together with warrior hearts to better themselves through training and friendship. It evinces the glory of warrior virtue, and embodies both loyalty and brotherly love.

7. The tradition of the Bujinkan recognizes nature and the universality of all human life, and is aware of that which flows naturally between the two parts:

•"The secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the foundations of peace.

•To study is the path to the immovable heart (fudoshin)."

Those not upholding the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out of the Bujinkan.

"Recently, Bujinkan has become truly international. Just as there are various time zones, so exist various taboos among the world's peoples and nations. We must respect each other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must put the heart of the warrior first, working together for self-improvement and for the betterment of the Bujinkan."

Masaaki Hatsumi - Soke

» Grand Sōke Masaaki Hatsumi
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