Masaaki Hatsumi Biography
Masaaki Hatsumi was born in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan on December 2, 1931. He was first introduced to the martial arts by his father at age 9 learning kendo. Later he went on to study judo, aikido, karate, boxing and numerous koryu bujutsu styles.
From 1957 to 1972, Masaaki Hatsumi studied with Takamatsu Toshitsugu, from whom he inherited the authority and position of soke (headmaster) in the following nine martial arts traditions:
- Takagi Yoshin-ryu jutaijutsu
- Kukishinden happo bikenjutsu
- Shinden Fudo-ryu dakentaijutsu
- Gyokko-ryu kosshijutsu
- Koto-ryu koppojutsu
- Gikan-ryu koppojutsu
- Togakure-ryu ninjutsu
- Kumogakure-ryu ninjutsu
- Gyokushin-ryu ninjutsu
In the late 1970's Masaaki Hatsumi founded the Bujinkan Dojo in honor of his teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu. From 1982 till 2003 he travelled world wide to teach his style of martial arts. He continues to teach the essence of these martial art methods at the Bujinden Honbu dojo in Noda City today.