New Head of the Musashi Clan

PUBLISHED 16 NOV 2025

A New Era for a Historic Lineage

A significant moment in the modern ninjutsu world took place this month as the Musashi ninja clan celebrated the appointment of its 20th family head, marking a new chapter for one of Japan’s most historically rooted shinobi–samurai lineages. A succession party was held to commemorate the transition, bringing together respected figures from across the global ninja community.

The announcement first drew attention when practitioner and community figure Ninja_Siryu shared on Instagram that a formal ceremony had taken place, noting that the leadership had been “handed over by the 19th family head of the Musashi clan, Takuya Shibata, to the 20th family head, Takuya San.” The event served not only as a generational milestone but also as a reminder of the lineage’s deep historical significance.

According to the Musashi ninja clan’s official website, the organisation traces its identity to the Shibata family, a line of samurai who served as hatamoto  —direct retainers to the Tokugawa shogunate. For roughly 260 years, the Tokugawa ruled Japan from Edo (modern-day Tokyo), relying on loyal families like the Shibata for governance, security, and intelligence.

Within that lineage were individuals who played roles beyond conventional samurai duty. The clan’s history includes ninja who accompanied the Tokugawa on the dangerous Iga Crossing, magistrates tasked with foreign affairs, and experts skilled in intelligence gathering as well as the design and use of concealed weaponry. This blend of samurai authority and shinobi specialisation shaped the Musashi clan’s unique identity—one that continues to fascinate martial artists and historians alike.

Today, the Musashi ninja clan carries its heritage into the modern era with a mission centred on promoting world peace and international goodwill. Their dōjō offers immersive cultural programs designed to give visitors a hands-on introduction to the traditions of the Shinobi-samurai. These experiences allow participants to engage directly with a living lineage while gaining insight into the historical practices of Japan’s covert operatives.

The succession of the 20th family head signals a continuing commitment to preserving and sharing this legacy with practitioners, researchers, and enthusiasts worldwide. For the ninjutsu community, it is a symbolic and inspiring reminder that while centuries have passed since the days of the shogunate, the spirit of the shinobi still evolves, adapts, and endures.

With new leadership guiding the Musashi ninja clan, the global ninjutsu world now looks forward to how this historic lineage will continue to grow, teach, and contribute to cultural understanding in the years ahead.

📸 Photo credits

Musashi Ninja Clan Honjin Dojo By Kiyomi Shibata - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=106994592 

Ninja Siryu, https://www.instagram.com/ninja_siryu/?hl=en