BUYU BULLETIN
UPDATED on 19 JAN 2026
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Inside the Dojo: Training, Survival, and a Glimpse of Ninja Cinema History
As the new year gets underway, Bujinkan groups around the world are wasting no time in sharpening bodies, skills, and spirit—while fans of ninja culture have also been treated to a rare cinematic rediscovery.
Over in Celbridge, Ireland, the Bujinkan Seigiryu Dojo has resumed training after the festive break with a no-nonsense approach. January has once again earned its nickname: “Hell Month.” The focus is firmly on fitness and conditioning, reminding students that strong fundamentals begin with a resilient body. Classes have been filled with squats, sit-ups, and press-ups, alongside pad work to maintain striking intensity. Training runs every Tuesday and Thursday, with beginners from 7:00–7:55pm and the regular class from 8:00–9:30pm—a demanding but rewarding start to the year for practitioners looking to rebuild momentum after the holidays.
Further east, Bujinkan Macedonia has taken training beyond the dojo walls and into the wild. Embracing the practical survival aspects often associated with historical shinobi skills, students have been training outdoors, constructing shelters in woodland environments. Using only deadfall from surrounding trees, they built A-frame structures designed to protect against the elements. Once the shelters were complete, the group finished by building fires to keep warm—an exercise that blends teamwork, ingenuity, and an appreciation for self-sufficiency. It’s a reminder that ninjutsu has always been about adaptation, awareness, and surviving in less-than-ideal conditions.
Meanwhile, online nostalgia met martial arts history thanks to the Ninja 3: The Domination Instagram account, which recently shared a rare still of Sho Kosugi from a deleted scene in the 1984 Cannon Films classic. The image captures Kosugi mid-action in a woodland fight sequence against three ninja—a scene that never made it into the final cut. While the actual footage is believed to be lost forever, the surviving photograph offers a tantalising glimpse of what might have been, and serves as a powerful reminder of Kosugi’s enduring impact on ninja cinema and popular culture.
Training Resumes, Traditions Continue
As the Christmas and New Year break fades into memory, dojos around the world are once again filling with the familiar sounds of movement, impact, and focused breathing. For many martial artists, this time of year marks a return not just to physical training, but to discipline, routine, and long-term study. January is often when intentions are renewed, fundamentals are revisited, and the deeper meaning of practice comes back into focus.
That spirit was clearly on display at Ookami Dojo, which recently hosted a three-hour training session dedicated to the basics. Rather than chasing novelty, the class focused squarely on the foundations of taijutsu, shuriken, and kenjutsu. Long sessions like this serve as an important reminder that progress is built on repetition and refinement. Stripping practice back to core principles—body alignment, distance, timing, and intent—allows practitioners to recalibrate after time away from the mat and begin the year grounded in correct movement.
Looking ahead to the summer, there is significant excitement surrounding the announcement that Junichi Kan, the 22nd Grandmaster of Gyokushin Ryū, will be traveling to Ireland. One of the most senior and respected instructors within the Bujinkan, Kan-sensei will headline the Taikai in Galway, scheduled for August 15th and 16th. Events like this offer rare opportunities for European practitioners to train directly with high-level Japanese teachers, and they continue to play a vital role in transmitting tradition beyond Japan’s borders.
Finally, for those interested in classical weapon traditions, new learning opportunities are emerging alongside traditional dojo training. Asayama Ichiden Ryū Hyōhō, founded roughly 400 years ago during the late Sengoku period, preserves battlefield techniques developed for armored combat. The school is known for its extraordinary breadth, encompassing kenjutsu, iai, staff, sickle, and numerous other weapons, with over 300 kata formally preserved—alongside many teachings passed down orally. Students can now access this tradition through online instruction, learning etiquette (reihō), fundamental batto and kenjutsu, and 15 iai kata, with live Zoom classes taught in English and recordings available for review. Details can be found via “Let’s Ask Shogo” on Instagram.
Nagato Sensei Heads to Austria
Looking ahead, the international Bujinkan calendar continues to fill with major events. Nagato Toshirō Sensei is scheduled to travel to Austria in May 2026 for a weekend of training, following his well-received taikai in Paris.
Organisers from Bujinkan Austria shared their excitement online, noting that participants from more than 17 countries have already registered. The message is clear: these gatherings are not just seminars, but opportunities to reconnect with friends, build new relationships, and create shared memories through training.
With an early-bird discount running until December 31st and strong international interest already evident, the Austria event is shaping up to be another significant moment for the European Bujinkan community.
Training at the Source
Members of Hirameki Dojo have recently returned from Japan after training with Kacem Zoughari, and their reflections capture something many Bujinkan practitioners recognise deeply. In an Instagram post, the group spoke about how a week of intensive training can pass in a blur, leaving little time to intellectually process what is being transmitted. That understanding, they note, comes later—through long-term, careful practice.
What makes their words particularly resonant is the emphasis on continuity. They point out that this method of learning was the same for their teacher, and for his teacher, Ishizuka Sensei, and for the generations before. It is a quiet reminder that in the Bujinkan, real learning does not happen instantly. It unfolds over time, through polishing, repetition, and personal responsibility. This perspective stands in contrast to the modern urge for quick answers and reinforces the classical approach that underpins the art.
A Memoir from a Senior Instructor
Long-time Bujinkan instructor Kenji Nakadai has added an important voice to the historical record with the publication of his memoir. Writing on Instagram, Nakadai Sensei announced that his book has now been translated into English by Joe Maurantonio, making it accessible to a much wider audience.
Of particular interest is the focus of the book itself: Hatsumi Masaaki Sensei’s evolution from the age of 51 to 88. Rather than presenting a static image of the Sōke, the memoir aims to show how Hatsumi Sensei changed, refined, and expressed the art over decades. For English-speaking practitioners, this offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into the later phases of Hatsumi Sensei’s teaching and mindset, through the eyes of someone who was there.
At a modest price point and available on Amazon under titles such as The World-Famous Ninja or Keiji Nakadai, the book is likely to find its way onto many dojo bookshelves.
Forty Years of Transmission: Peter King and the Bujinkan in the UK
December marked a significant milestone for the Bujinkan in Britain as Peter King celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Bujinkan King Dōjō in Croydon. The anniversary seminar brought together students and instructors from across the country and beyond, reflecting four decades of consistent training, teaching, and relationship-building. In a heartfelt message afterwards, Peter thanked those who travelled long distances to attend, as well as the many individuals who helped organise the event, document it, and contribute to its atmosphere.
Namiryu Dōjō Celebrates 2nd Dan Promotion
Namiryu Dōjō has marked a proud moment with the promotion of Mara Matias to 2nd Dan. The advancement recognises consistent hard work, dedication, and steady development on the mat—qualities highly valued within the Bujinkan tradition. Fellow students and instructors at the dōjō shared their delight at being able to formally acknowledge Mara’s commitment and progress, highlighting the long-term effort required to move beyond the basics and deepen one’s understanding of taijutsu. Congratulations to Mara on this well-earned milestone.
British Taikai with Nagato Sōke Announced for 2027
In major news for the UK Bujinkan community, senior instructor Peter King has announced that a British Taikai with Nagato Sōke is planned for London in 2027. While full details have yet to be released, the confirmation alone has already generated excitement among practitioners across the country and beyond. Nagato Sōke’s appearances in the UK are rare, and the event is expected to draw international attendance. Further information is anticipated in due course, but this early announcement gives practitioners something significant to look forward to in the years ahead.
South West Martial Arts & Wellbeing Show Prepares to Reveal 2026 Instructor Line-Up
Organisers of the South West Martial Arts & Wellbeing Show have confirmed that the instructor line-up for the 2026 event will be announced soon, building anticipation for one of the region’s largest celebrations of martial arts and holistic practice. Following the success of previous years, the Bristol-based show is expected to once again bring together a diverse mix of disciplines, teachers, and communities under one roof.
Among past highlights has been the regular appearance of Inyo Dōjō, whose Bujinkan demonstrations and workshops have consistently drawn strong crowds. The club has used the platform to showcase traditional Japanese martial arts, blending historical context with practical, hands-on training.
With the 2026 programme now taking shape, expectations are high that the upcoming announcement will feature a similarly strong roster of instructors.
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