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Black Japanese martial arts do-gi (training uniforms) and an appropriate colored belt are worn in our training. If you already have a white training uniform, there is no need to buy a new one until you wish to or the old one wears out. Belt ranks are as follows:

Rank	Color	Time in Grade (approx.)
Shoshinsha	White	1 month
9th kyu	yellow (no stars)	4 months
8th kyu	yellow (1 star)	4 months
7th kyu	yellow (2 stars)	4 months
6th kyu	green (no stars)	4 months
5th kyu	green (1 star)	4 months
4th kyu	green (2 stars)	4 months
3rd kyu	brown (no stars)	4 months
2nd kyu	brown (1 star)	4 months
1st kyu	brown (2 stars)	4 months
Junior Dan	blue	Transfer to adult class at approx. age15

Although we take a relaxed approach to the training, certain formalities (bowing, etc.) are observed while actually involved in giving and receiving instruction. In the children's class, adults are addressed as Mr. or Ms.; the teacher can also be called Sensei.

Treat your seniors with respect, your junior's with care. In Japan there is what is known as a sempai/kohai, or "senior/junior" system. This system is not part of American culture. However, due to the inherent danger in all real martial arts training, more experienced members must ensure that new members are safe and feel so. It is also the sempai's responsibility to make all new training members and guests feel welcome in the dojo. New members must be observant and are encouraged to ask questions.

The classes are conducted in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere with the emphasis on safety. The reason for this is because, as mentioned, the techniques are real and have not been adapted for use as a sport. They must be practiced in a certain way or injury will result.

All members train together when possible. There is no "caste" system. Rank and seniority bring more responsibility than privilege.

Bowing:

Training begins with all members kneeling in seiza facing the front wall of the dojo. The instructor intones the following motto:

"SHI-KIN HARA-MITSU DAI-KO-MYO"

(This phrase cannot be translated directly into English. One interpretation is: "A moment of true interaction between mind and spirit may lead to Enlightenment." There are many others.)

All clap twice, bow once, clap once, and bow again. The teacher turns to face the class, and the senior student calls:

"SEN-SEI NI REI"

(Bow to the teacher)

Students and teacher bow to each other at the same time and say:

"O-NE-GAI-SHI-MAS" (before training)

(Please assist me)

"DO-MO A-RI-GA-TO GO-ZAI-MAS" (after training)

(Thank you very much)

You will find that most of our training is done in pairs. There is very little "shadow- boxing." You can do that at home. When working with a training partner, it is customary to bow before and after a training segment. Exchange names if you don't know each other well.

Philosophy:

Our philosophy is simple: Protect life. Live according to nature and the natural law. All people's lives are equal (even if their behavior isn't) and must be respected, and if possible, protected.

Those that agree with this philosophy, will be instructed in the skills needed to support that philosophy, regardless of age, health, gender, or cultural distinction. On the other hand, we are not an "obedience school." If you cannot summon up the personal discipline to train with a friendly and courteous demeanor, you will probably feel out of place and quit the training. People who are looking for a competitive, aggressive atmosphere will probably be disappointed and quit as well. Make no mistake, however, the training is challenging. Once you acquire the skills, you will be capable of walking through life as a warrior knight.

Historical Note:

There is always some tendency to compare one martial art with another. This is natural. The Bujinkan system of martial arts, however, is not only a different style, it has different historical roots than say taekwondo or aikido. This makes comparisons difficult. Remember also that the Bujinkan is made up of nine different traditions. Therefore the range of techniques and strategic philosophies is much wider than in most schools that represent one tradition. A further complication is that when one person practices or teaches all nine, those differences tend to blur.

But let us address the historical or root differences. Perhaps an analogy will help. Compare the background of these two great American generals: George Washington and Geronimo. The comparison is hard isn't it? They were such different people, from such different backgrounds and cultures, even though they both lived in the same "country."

The analogy is a bit weak, but there were two different warrior cultures in Japan as well. For the sake of simplicity, let's refer to the "official" warrior cult as the samurai. That is the culture that spawned most of the karate styles being taught in America today, including Korean karate.

The Bujinkan is the counter-culture martial tradition of Japan. In other words, if you studied Washington's strategies before, you are now studying Geronimo's.

This issue will become clear with time if you like our training method and continue on.

Gambatte Kudasai [Keep going, don't give up!].

Moving Through the Shoshinsha Stage:

This introductory stage is designed to prepare an aspiring practitioner for full participation in the Bujinkan Buyu Dojo training system.

It consists of three parts:

Dojo etiquette
Basic ukemi
Taijutsu fundamentals: Kamae and Sanshin no Kata

Usually a white belt is worn during this time frame. This alerts other training members to the fact that you do not yet possess a familiarity with the system. They in turn will take care to encourage and assist you. (A green belt indicates a person who is familiar with the system. A black belt indicates a person who has mastered the basics of the system and is in the process of internalizing them; or it could also mean that the wearer is an instructor or an aspiring instructor.)

The time needed to move through this stage is usually 1 month for children and 3-6 months for adults. This is because the children will be drilled in these fundamentals; adults are expected to absorb the fundamentals and internalize them on a deeper level.

Dojo Etiquette:
- Perform standing bow
- Perform kneeling bow
- Participate successfully in the ritual for beginning and ending a training session
- Explain and correctly pronounce the following words and phrases:
  - Bujinkan
  - Budo Taijutsu
  - Masaaki Hatsumi
  - Kamae
  - Sanshin no Kata
  - Ukemi
  - BuYu
  - Ninpo
  - Taijutsu
Basic Ukemi:
- Perform a front shoulder roll
- Perform a back roll
- Perform a left side roll
- Perform a right side roll
- Perform front breakfall
Taijutsu Fundamentals:
- Shizen no kamae
- Ichimonji no kamae
- Hira no kamae
- Jumonji no kamae
- Hicho no kamae
Sanshin no Kata:
- Chi no kata
- Sui no kata
- Ka (Hi) no kata
- Fu no kata
- Ku no kata