2011
Remigiusz Borda in the dojo. Kęszyca, Poland 2011
Masaaki Hatsumi. Portrait of Bodhidharma (Daruma)(ink, 1995)
Foreword
The significant growth around the world of the popularity of bujinkan was characteristic for the last few years of the 20th century. new training centers appeared, one after the other. it is hard for me to remain objective when trying to assess the reasons for this increased interest in this mysterious martial art as well as young people’s enthusiasm in seeking bujinkan dojos. i can only sketch a picture of my love for this difficult art, which now fulfills my life.
More than any other image, a legendary figure wearing black clothes personalizes a young person’s dreams of the invincible warrior. ninjutsu, saturated with numerous legends and secrets, with roots in the distant history of japan, still speaks to and creates a legend of warriors possessing superhuman spiritual and physical powers. those stories, like a magical magnet, attract young people and encourage them to enter the open doors of our schools. As never before in the history of ninjutsu, thanks to Soke Dr. Masaki Hatsumi, we have access to this great legacy for the first time. Teaching by qualified Shihan is passed to students all over the world in undistorted form; they are based on the original Dencho. the modern ninjutsu pioneers, who later became teachers, have acquired this knowledge over the past three decades with persistence by studying under Soke Hatsumi’s guidance, or under one of the Shihan, either in japan or at seminars known as teikei organized in every corner of the world, during which Hatsumi Sensei personally teaches classes. the system created by bujinkan, when combined with perseverance and determination, enables student to achieve masterful skills in ninjutsu. taking into account the fact that, in contrast with medieval japan, we live in a less martial world and we usually live longer, there is plenty of time to practice diligently, and thus achieve higher levels of skill. to do so, one must, as my teacher says, “overcome the lazy dog inside” in order to follow the path of the warrior without distraction. it is true that Ninjutsu slowly fills the heart of people who regularly practice this art, transforming their body and spirit. Thanks to qualified teachers, the metaphor of transformation can be explored during almost every workout. this is also mirrored in the name of the style taught in our school: togakure ryu, which means School of the Hidden Doors (gates). For those who follow this path and practice the style, the doors (gates) to deeper knowledge open a little bit wider with time. For ordinary mortals, full knowledge will always remain unattainable. just as it was centuries ago, today this secret knowledge is still closely guarded from the gaze of the unauthorized. thus, to open the hidden door one must first overcome the challenges presented by the heavily armed warriors. images of guards and their legendary power are still very popular. the guards to the hidden doors are as follows: laziness and lack of perseverance, fear, lack of self-confidence, stupidity, lack of charity, lack of respect, and lack of humility. the great truth of a nearly thousand-year-old tradition is still valid. today, in the 21st century, if one wants to know the secrets of ninjutsu, one has to overcome all these human weaknesses. the old shinobi used knowledge of human weaknesses on the battlefield in order to defeat the enemy or to extract from the enemy the necessary strategic information.
Although ninjutsu is not a sport, it allows the practitioner to attain great physical fitness and to develop effective self-defense skills. but above all else, it contributes the deeper development of a practitioner’s self-awareness. in today’s wasteful exploration of nature, in times of warfare and social inequality, i can clearly see bright new tasks for the students of ninjutsu and other martial arts as well. these tasks are as clear as crystal: through the understanding of nature and self-awareness, one might discover latent power in humans, the source of good and justice, achieving the essence of the Heart, kokoro no katachi.
Remigiusz Borda
You should know that perseverance alone is barely a streak of airy smoke.
You should know that the human path is justice.
Forget the heart full of hatred, greed, feelings of pride,
and the desire to always be the best (with respect to yourself).
You should understand grief and anger as laws of nature,
and try to achieve enlightenment through your indestructible heart.
Never leave the path of loyalty and respect;
follow the path of reason and the sword (Bunbu).
These five dojo rules were written in the new year of Meiji 23 (1890) by Toda Shinyaken Masumitsu.
They were passed from Takamatsu Toshitsugu to Hatsumi Masaaki Byakuryu
on Many Promising Day of March, Showa 23 (1958).
The essence of Shinshin Shigan can be understood through the Kyu and Dan ranks
and through the natural elements Chi-Sui-Ka-Fu-Ku.
Soke Hatsumi and Bujinkan
Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi was a student of Toshitsugu Takamatsu. He not only continues on the path of his great predecessors but, respecting tradition and history, he fits perfectly within the reality of modern times. People are awed by Masaaki Hatsumi’s rich personality. He is a highly regarded expert in the field of ancient Japanese medicine, a philosopher, a writer, and an artist practicing traditional ink painting. His knowledge and collective experience are unique and incomparable. Thanks to Soke Hatsumi, Ninjutsu is perceived not as a collection of archaic ways of fighting, but as a real and very effective martial art, used successfully by the special forces of the world’s largest armies and by people who want to practice classic Budo.
Soke Hatsumi created within Bujinkan (the name of the school, which can be translated as “Temple of the martial arts God”) an excellent training system. The system is based on years of combat experience, tradition, and transfer of knowledge.
Soke Hatsumi introduced new ways of training to the school, enabling students of Ninjutsu to continuously and systematically enhance their skills. Technical and mental development should always be associated with an appropriate teacher. Only a proper relationship between a master and a student is a guarantee that the system, method, and spirit of Budo won’t be distorted or lost.
At this point I would like to thank my direct teacher, Heinz H. Meyer, 10 dan Judan Kugyo, for solid training and the heart of a warrior, which he, with great competence and enthusiasm, transferred to me. I direct my sincere gratitude to Jesko Welke, 5th Dan (Godan), for the long-term cooperation in which we both continuously grow.
1. Toshitsugu Takamatsu Soke (1887-1972)
