Soke Masaaki Hatsumi

This is a list dedicated to the Grandmaster(Soke) of the The Bujinkan Dojo, Masaaki Hatsumi.

Born 2'nd December 1931

  • Hatsumi Yoshiaki was born 2'nd December 1931 in Noda (Just North of Tokyo), he later changed his first given name to Masaaki.
  • He was introduced to Kendo by his father when he was 7 years old, he also studied Judo and Karate.
  • In Junior High School he was a gymnast, boxer and the Captain in the Junior High School soccer team. He also studied social dancing wich he believes helped him with the footwork in his Budo training.
  • In his College years he continued to practise Boxing and Judo, he belonged to the Judo and Drama clubs and studied Theater Arts.
  • During his studies in Medical School, he recieved 4th Dan in Judo. He was asked to teach Judo to the American soldiers at the Yokota Army Base, wich he accepted. He was in his early 20's and found that the big Americans seemed to have size and natural ability and Hatsumi found that they were learning in months what took the typical Japanese years. He began to question his training... What good is a martial art if a bigger or stronger person could easily defeat you? Hatsumi began searching for a true warrior tradition.
  • He paid a teacher of Kobudo 300.000 Yen each month to come to the Dojo at his home to teach him Kobujutsu Juuhappan (the 18 categories of Kobujutsu). He completed this training in three years.

    Showa 31 (1957)


  • When he was 26 years old he met Takamatsu Toshitsugu in Kashiwabara City west of the Iga region in Japan. Het travelled across Honshu island every weekend for fifteen years to study with his teacher. The train ride took him over a half day from his home in Noda to Takamatsu's home in Kashiwabara.
  • Takamatsu wrote a poem to Hatsumi wich reads...
      "In the days of the Tenei era there was a great master of Koppo.
      He was calm and peaceful like the flowers of springtime.
      Yet he was so brave that not even 10,000 enemies could make him show fear.
      He could even strike down a wild animal with but a single blow."

    Showa 35 (1961)


  • November 3 he held a lecture to the Japanese Tennoh (crown prince) about Ninpo.

    Showa 36 (1962)


  • The film "Shinobi no mono" a film about Ishikawa Goemon and Momochi Sandayu was released this year, he acted as the advisor.

    Showa 38 (1964)


  • He performed frequently in the childrens program "Suteki-na-Mama!"(Fantastic Mama!)

    Showa 46 (1972)

    After 15 years of studying, Takamatsu Toshitsugu died 83 years old in his home in Nara (just East of Osaka) April 2'nd in 1972. A few years earlier Takamatsu had already decided that Hatsumi would be the next sole inheritor and "Soke" (Family head) of...
    • Togakure-ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 34th Soke
    • Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Happo Biken, 28th Soke
    • Kukishin-ryu Taijutsu Happo Biken, 28th Soke
    • Shindenfudo-ryu Dakentaijutsu Happo Biken, 26th Soke
    • Gyokushin-ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 21th Soke
    • Koto-ryu Koppojutsu Happo Biken, 18th Soke
    • Takagiyoshin-ryu Jutaijutsu Happo Biken, 17th Soke
    • Gikan-ryu Koppojutsu Happo Biken, 15th Soke
    • Kumogakure-ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 14th Soke

    Showa 56 (1982)


  • First travels to West (to Dayton, Ohio, USA).

    Showa 60 (1986)


  • Received the "Best Instructor Award" from the Black Belt Magazine (as voted by the readers).
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA

    Showa 61 (1987)


  • First travel to Europe (London, UK).
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK

    Heisei 1 (1988)


  • Acted in Jiraya, a 50 episodes children's adventure series made by Asahi Television. He played the part of "Yamaji Tetsuzan" (Jiraya's father and teacher).
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden

    Heisei 2 (1989)


  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Israel

    Heisei 3 (1990)


  • "Chairman of the International Division, Japan Literary Artist's Club" 1990-94
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Spain

    Heisei 4 (1991)


  • Received a letter of appreciation from the US President George Bush on his 60'th birthday.
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Spain, Germany

    Heisei 5 (1992)


  • Honorary degree of Ph.D. Natural (Human?) Science from the US University.
  • Special honour from Secretary of State for National Heritage (UK).
  • Received a letter of thanks from Mr. John Bannon, Premier of South Australia.
  • Received the Cross Medal and Sun Medal from Juan Carlos, King of Spain.
  • Special thanks from Hendon Metropolitan Police/London.
  • Atlanta citizen award from State of Georgia.
  • Honorary Jordan Valley citizen in Israel.
  • Accepted an award from the Noda City Educational and and Cultural Board in recognition of Bujinkan's contribution to International Relations betweeen Noda City and many countries around the world.
  • Accepted the position as the Director of the Japan Literary Club, International Section.
  • Visit to EVA 21 (Air Base) in Gran Canaria Island in Spain. Soke made a demonstration against pistol attack and he received a special award like honour member in this Base from Commandant Perez Jimenez 1.
  • Award from Telde City Council (Gran Canaria Island, Spain) 1.
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Australia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Israel.

    Heisei 6 (1993)


    Start of the Yearly Weapon Theme Theme:Rokushaku Bojutsu & Taijutsu
  • Received a letter of appreciation and thanks from the Australian Prime Minister.
  • Received a letter of thanks from Pentagon, USA.
  • Received a Ph.D. from Electronical Research University and another doctorate at the Washington Taikai in USA.
  • Honorary award from the Spanish Secretary of State for the Intelligence Agency.
  • Received a birthday card from President Clinton, USA.
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, Spain, Australia, France, Argentina

    Heisei 7 (1994)


    Theme:Sojutsu (Yari) & Kodachi
  • Formed Bujinkan Juyushi, consisting of those members, regardless of rank, who train the most.
  • Became "Knight" at Frankfurt.
  • Received an honorary Doctorate from Manchester School of Osteopathy.
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, Germany, UK,

    Heisei 8 (1995)


    Theme:Naginatajutsu & Daisho Sabaki Gata & Taijutsu
  • Changed the grading qualifications from Bujinkan Ninpo Taijutsu to Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. in the to reflect growing ability of students to train in a wider range of the Bujinkan arts.
  • Was awarded the title Todo Hanshi (Master teacher of the way of the sword) on februari 11th by Nakazawa Toshi, President of Zen Nippon Todo Renmei (Japan Sword Federation).
  • Honorary Member of Arizona Rangers (only person to be Honorary Member of both Arizona & Texas Rangers).
  • Honorary Citizen of Texas State / Los Angeles / Atlanta / Dublin / Jordan Valley, Burton Village(?).
  • Leadership Award from Hillsdale University.
  • Received an award from New Jersey State Legislature
  • Received an award from USA Sports Minister
  • Received an award from Japan Cultural Association
  • Received an award from London Metropolitan Police Headquarters
  • Received an award from Chairman (Mayor?) of London
  • Received an award from City of Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Received an award from Secretary of State for Catalunya
  • Received an award from Berlin National (sic!) Minister
  • Received an award from City of Linteschraissen(?)
  • Received Letters of thanks from Prince Charles's secretary
  • Received Letters of thanks from UK Secretary of State for the Environment
  • Received Letters of thanks from London Ambassador (Japanese Ambassador?)'s secretary
  • Received Letters of thanks from Texas State Governor
  • Received Letters of thanks from Georgia State Governor
  • Received Letters of thanks from FBI
  • Received an award from EVA 21 (Air Base) in Gran Canaria Island in Spain 1.
  • Honorary member of Association Canary Garrote (fighting stick) 1.
  • Honorary member of Association culture exchange canary - japanese 1.
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, New Zealand, Spain, UK

    Heisei 9 (1996)


    Theme:Bikenjutsu & Taijutsu
  • This year he hosted Taikai's in... Holland, Spain, USA,

     

     


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