Why I went with IBDA

** should read this post first: http://ninpo-ikkan.blogspot.com/2008/09/why-i-study-bujinkan.html
Well I enrolled in the IBDA or Internation Bujinkan Dojo Assoication: Distance Learning Ninjutsu Study Course that takes you from White to Black belt using a standardized step-by-step learning and ranking system created by Shihan Van Donk, that in my opinion is second to none.

They are an Association of International Dojo's and Student's which for someone like me who travels that's kinda handy. I now also train with Shidoshi Charles Benham and Sensai Pat Vawter at the Mountian Warrior Budo Dojo in Denver who has a great style of guiding my buddy partner and I along our Bujinkan path.

They are a network of students and instructors online and in dojo's around the world to support us along the way. Combine this with the fact that at each rank we are Certified from Japan. We can train anywhere and have rank recognition. Also hoping it will make for some brilliant camps, sure we will soon find out.

They have a huge collection of products, videos and almost everything you would ask for along your path to becoming a Ninja or Shinobi/Kunoichi whatever you prefer.

Anyway so that's why I chose this time round to go with IBDA. I am sure I will have more to add to this post as we work towards that black belt.

Why I study Bujinkan

When I was a child of about 11 or 12, I saw the movie American Ninja (the first one and second one). I regular looking guy who fought with honor, speed, stealth balance and great skill. After I saw that I just had to find out more, I decided "When I am older I will go to Japan and see if it is real and study to become a Ninja".

Well being someone who loves to learn I couldn't wait, I just dove right in. First I went to the library to see what I found books by people claiming to have been to Japan. One Author which I wont mention at the moment but all within the Ninjutsu world know. Whatever his reasons or disagreements about things he shouldn't have done. Ether way that was how I found that Ninjutsu really does exist.

From there I read and practised everything I could. Now my Dad got me interested in Martial Arts when I was 5 on my first day of school some kid thought it would be funny to smack me across the head with a big stick. Long story short my Dad made sure I would me caught not knowing what to do again. So up until I was 16 I studied a number of different arts including Aikido, Kempo and of course tons and tons of books.

Now I said until I was 16 because when I was 16 one of my best mate even to this day heard of an opportunity to study Ninjutsu right down the road in a primary school. We studied with them for about 3-4 months before running out of money. But what I learnt in that short time stuck with me. I loved the way it moved, it felt, the way of movement it all felt so right and the whole "Why didn't I think of that before" many of my fellow Bujinkan peers have been through them selves.

Without going to far looking into the different Martial Arts available. I choose Bujinkan for my Primary Art because of the way it works with my body. They other areas other arts don't cover and the fact that unlike most of the Martial Arts community. Bujinkan embraces the spirit and the spiritual side of life and includes it in the studies. Hence I found my style, my art, my Taijutsu.

Years on I was able to continue my studies for about 6 months or so under the same group tho a different instructor in a different location. Now in New Zealand Bujinkan from my experience they train hard. No mucking around with that lot I can tell you. Anyway one thing led to another and I wasn't able to train anymore. I continued off and on with a 2nd kyu mate of mine who had the chance to private train with Shihan Mike Gent. (New Zealand's first to study under Soke Masaaki Hatsumi)

So anyway I reached 31 yrs and said to my self enough of this putting off stuff. I not getting any younger and there are things I want to achieve in my time here. So realising I would not be able to carry over any training ranks or whatever and have to start again. I decided to make sure I did it the best way possible for me. So I investigated all the different Ninjutsu schools and decided on IBDA International Bujinkan Dojo Association. (which is for another post)

So in my opinion a Warrior is not defined by his Art. A Warrior is who he or she is. Your Art will only add and refine to the Warrior your already are inside. Embracing your Taijutsu and looking after your self and your families well being will also refine the Warrior within. If you are looking at different styles to study I Highly Recommend Bujinkan, however please hear me on this find a style that suits you and your body, that feels natural and right when you do it. Well that's my opinion anyway hope you enjoyed this post.

What is Ninpo-Ikkan?

Ninpo Ikkan is a saying taught to us while studying Bujinkan and it means "The Spirit of the Ninja is our Primary Inspiration."

The Spirit of the Ninja gave rise to enthusiastic students all over the world looking for someone to teach them. They found in it one man Soke Masaaki Hatsumi the inheritor of the 9 Ryu's from O'Sensei Toshigatsu Takamatsu. Soke Hatsumi combined these 9 Ryu's into one system he called Bujinkan.

Ninpo-Ikkan is an Online Bujinkan Study Group for Bujinkan Students currently active with their studies.
Ninpo-Ikkan.com is intended to be an area for the discussion on the finer points of all things Bujinkan and other related Ninjutsu topics...... (Basically everything a student of Bujinkan wants to know or find in one place)

Thats a nice pretty way of saying while I study Bujinkan what learn will be added to the site and the site will grow and change as I grow along the path. Feel free to join me on The Path of the Shinobi.

Intended Content will Include:
Looking at Techniques
- with pictures and video

Discussion on the Different Ryu's within Bujinkan
- elemental differences between the Ryu's
- hopefully some history on each of the Ryu's

What makes a great Instructor/Dojo and how they do it
- discussion on what your instructor/dojo does really well
- discussion on what you would like to see in your dojo
- if you were an instructor you would .....
- if you built you own dream dojo it would....

Discussion on where to buy Ninjutsu/Bujinkan Related Products
- best places to buy each product and discussion on those products
- looking for quality and price
- not getting raked by shipping