To fully comprehend the tactics and strategy of the Bujinkan and discover what it can offer in terms of personal growth, means dedicating oneself to the study of Ninpo Taijutsu, or Budo Taijutsu as it is technically known today.
Literally meaning “skill with the body,” Taijutsu forms the basis for all understanding in the Bujinkan. By developing natural responses with the body during initial training, physical lessons are created and used as models for psychological and tactical instruction in advanced studies. Taijutsu is made up of methods for:
• STRIKING AND GRAPPLING
• TUMBLING AND BREAKING FALLS
• LEAPING AND CLIMBING
• CONDITIONING THE BODY
• MAINTAINING HEALTH
• SPECIAL WAYS OF WALKING AND RUNNING
Some popular martial arts attempt to mold the student’s reactions to fit a stylized set of predetermined movements. Taijutsu works in the opposite manner, naturalizing movement by stripping away awkward or unnatural tendencies. Taijutsu relies on the body’s resiliency, opportunity of response, flexibility of movement, and an understanding of the principles of nature for successful results in self-protection. Techniques take advantage of efficient employment of body dynamics, so students need not imitate animals nor distort their structure. Taijutsu principles provide the foundation for weapons usage, where tactics and strategy are identical, whether fighting unarmed or with any number of martial tools. By attuning oneself with the natural world’s principles, practitioners can adapt to the advances of any attacker, and always apply the appropriate response for any situation.
Instructor: James Morganelli
James has participated in martial arts for nearly 30 years, studying Eastern as well as Western styles. A graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a major in philosophy, he moved to Japan in 1995 to study under Dr. Hatsumi and his Shihan - master teachers.
In 1998, James took and passed the Godan, fifth-degree black belt test, shortly before leaving Japan, becoming one of a select group to receive a Shidoshi, teacher’s, license from the Bujinkan Dojo.
An aspiring writer, James currently lives in Chicago, Illinois, USA, where he teaches through his Shingitai-Ichi Dojo.
Tags: Bujinkan, Chicago (Lakeview)