The Jinenkan is the third main type of ninjutsu. It is a kobudo organization. If you break down the Japanese word kobudo, the “bu” part refers to military or war. “Budo” means military or martial way, and when you put it together with “ko,” which means ancient or old, you get a word that basically means something like “ancient stop fighting way,” or self defense based on ancient methods. “Jinenkan” means “hall of nature.”

What is taught in Jinenkan was used in battles in Japan as long ago as 1000 CE. The techniques were honed over centuries, as was a teaching method for taking a novice in martial arts to mastery level. It is a very structured method of teaching handed down from teacher to student.

The emphasis in Jinenkan is on natural movements and on appreciation of the strength to be found in nature and the environment. Jinenkan is one organization teaching Takamatsu-den martial arts. Founded in 1996 by headmaster Mananka Unsui, who has over 40 years of training in ancient Japanese martial arts, the Jinenkan teaches the following techniques:

1.       Taijutsu – unarmed fighting skills

2.       Bikenjutsu – sword arts

3.       Yari – spear arts

4.       Naginata – halberd, which is a two-handled pole weapon

5.       Tessen – iron fan

6.       Jutte – truncheon

7.       Kusari-fundo – weighted chain

8.       Tantojutsu – knife

9.       Jo – staff arts

And many more! All Jinenkan training is done according to the Densho, which is a written and drawn book or scroll which includes teaching and knowledge and which was used to pass down traditions to future generations.

In Jinenkan, promotions are based on a simple belt system. New students begin with a mukyu, or white level, signifying that he has “no level” (yet). Next is the sankyu, or green belt, then nikyu, or purple belt, then the ikkyu, or brown belt, and after that, the student moves on to the dan ranks, or black belt levels.

A student who achieves shodan, or a first degree black belt has earned the right to wear the hakama, or the long, pleated, wide-legged pants worn by samurai. As the degrees of black belt increase, the number of students attaining them goes way down. For example, there are only a few students in the entire world who have achieved yondon, or a fourth degree black belt.

Joyce

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Genbukan is another type of Ninjutsu. Founded in 1984 by Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura, Genbukan means “place that nurtures the professional martial artist.” Also, Gen means “black,” referring to a place for practicing skills and techniques which are mysterious and powerful. One who masters Genbukan training is said to radiate light to the “outer world of darkness.”

The Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation, or GWNBF, is an international organization with over 100 dojos worldwide. To review, Ninpo is the art of the spiritual warrior and true ninja. Ninjutsu is a sub category of ninpo comprising physical skills necessary for survival. Jujitsu is the ancient art of the Samurai, which teaches self defense without weapons. Jujitsu consists of movements that are more compact than the art of Ninjutsu, which includes not only non-weapons training, but training with weapons as well.

Genbukan physical training emphasizes use of refined bodily movements to learn and develop skill at self protection techniques. Timing, distancing, and body mechanics are critical to this training, and therefore, training is usually conducted with students working with partners. These techniques allow practitioners to develop skills to handle confrontations with larger and/or stronger opponents.

Genbukan training focuses on teaching of the Ninpo Sanjurokkei (36 categories of training) consisting of 18 forms of traditional Bugei Juhappan (Japanese martial arts) plus 18 forms of Ninja Juhakei, or Ninpo. Training focuses on taijutsu, bojutsu, bikenjutsu, and also “seishinteki kyoyo,” which means spiritual refinement. Taijutsu, bojutsu, and bikenjutsu are the three fundamental parts of Ninpo, and thus they must be mastered first before moving on to other techniques. Excellent manners, or Reigi Saho, are also emphasized in Genbukan training.

Genbukan taijutsu includes five major types of training: Dakentaijutsu (emphasizing striking techniques); Jutaijutsu (emphasizing throwing techniques, locks, and chokes); Koppojutsu (emphasizing nerve and pressure point attacks and bone breaking); Kosshijutsu (similar to Koppojutsu in emphasis); and Taihenjutsu (emphasizing body movement and placement to counter or avoid attacker).

The ranking system used by the Genbukan is from 10^th kyu, which is also called “mu-kyu” through 1^st kyu. After this comes the sho-dan, or 1^st dan through 10^th dan. There are also ranking systems for weapons, and they vary depending on the weapon. In some cases, these weapons rankings use a traditional system of licenses, and in some cases, the modern 10^th kyu through 10^th dan system is used.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedalogs/3231081696/sizes/s/

Joyce

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