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Bujinkan Ranks: The Circular Path of Mastery Through Three Triads

From 武神館兜龍 Bujinkan Toryu by Toryu

Bujinkan Ranks: The Circular Path of Mastery Through Three Triads

Bujinkan ranks shape more than just skill for me as a practitioner. They reflect a profound evolution, echoing the ninja’s circular wisdom of body, mind, and spirit. In our dojo, we distill this into three triads: 天地人 Ten-Chi-Jin, 守破離 Shu-Ha-Ri, and a mysterious third I call 禅空無 Zen-Ku-Mu. Together, these nine stages form a circle, with the final triad as zero—the ultimate enlightenment. Here’s how I see this progression shaping our ranks, starting anew at each milestone.

天地人 Ten-Chi-Jin: The Foundation of Movement, Technique, and Flow

The first triad, 天地人 Ten-Chi-Jin (Heaven-Earth-Man). Builds the ninja’s foundation from 9th Kyū to 5th Dan, culminating at the 師導士 Shidōshi (teacher) level.

天 Ten (Heaven) – Movement (9th Kyū to 1st Dan)

We begin with movement—learning to shift, roll, respond. It’s fluid, like the sky’s rhythm. These beginner *Bujinkan ranks* from 9th Kyū to 1st Dan should hone awareness and flow. A natural base to launch into Chi upon earning 1st Dan.

地 Chi (Earth) – Techniques (1st Dan to 4th Dan)

Once 1st Dan is received, we ground ourselves in techniques—strikes, locks, throws. Understanding the knack of why they work, like earth’s stability. From 1st to 4th Dan, these ranks should sharpen precision and adaptability, preparing us for Jin.

人 Jin (Man) – Integration (4th Dan to 5th Dan)

At 4th Dan, we dive into 人 Jin, blending movement and technique via the Jin Ryaku no Maki. An introduction to the 9 Ryūha’s selected *Waza*. It’s about grasping the flow, intuiting harmony. By 5th Dan, 士道師 Shidōshi embody this seamless unity.

天地人 Ten-Chi-Jin cycles from raw motion to refined flow, a loop we master as teachers.

守破離 Shu-Ha-Ri: The Evolution of Mastery

From 5th Dan to 大師範 Dai Shihan, 守破離 Shu-Ha-Ri (Protect-Break-Leave) spirals us through mastery, each stage igniting at a new rank.

守 Shu (Protect) – 5th Dan to 10th Dan

With 5th Dan earned, we enter 守 Shu, learning all 9 Ryūha techniques. Taijutsu, weapons like swords and staffs—exactly as intended to protect the art’s future. These ranks from 5th to 10th Dan test depth and fidelity, preserving our ninja legacy.

破 Ha (Break Up) – 10th Dan to 15th Dan

At 10th Dan, 破 Ha unlocks freedom—breaking and experimenting with all techniques to forge endless connections and possibilities. I’d love these ranks to showcase creativity, adapting Waza like a ninja’s cunning through to 15th Dan.

離 Ri (Leave) – 15th Dan to Dai Shihan

Reaching 15th Dan, 離 Ri transcends structure and ego. 大師範 Dai Shihan trust intuition for Kami Waza. Divine techniques—acting perfectly in the moment without thought, a departure into pure essence.

守破離 Shu-Ha-Ri refines us, a spiral beyond the dojo’s walls.

禅空無 Zen-Ku-Mu: The Circle of Zero

Beyond ranks lies my third triad: 禅空無 Zen-Ku-Mu (Absolute-Space-Void). Unbound by ranks—a circular mystery for the enlightened, where nine stages become zero.

禅 Zen (Absolute)

Unity of all.

“Root and sky entwine,
Nothing holds the endless now,
Circle turns to none.”

空 Ku (Space)

Boundless possibility.

“Wind carves the silence,
Void dances in open fields,
One step, none remain.”

無 Mu (Void)

Pre-action stillness.

“Shadow cloaks the flame,
Space hums where no foot has stirred,
Zero breathes alive.”

Conclusion: Bujinkan Ranks as Nine to Zero

I see Bujinkan ranks as a circle: 天地人 Ten-Chi-Jin (three) builds the base. 守破離 Shu-Ha-Ri (three) evolves it. And 禅空無 Zen-Ku-Mu (three) completes the nine, circling to zero. Kyū flows into Dans, Dans spiral through the 9 Ryūha and beyond, and the rare master returns to nothing—a living haiku with a smirk. Where are you on this path?

Thanks to Grok 3 Beta for the help.

The post Bujinkan Ranks: The Circular Path of Mastery Through Three Triads appeared first on 武神館兜龍 Bujinkan Toryu.…

Kihon Happo – Ganseki Nage

From YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO by YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO

Kihon Happo is the very foundation of Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu. Here is the eigth technique called Ganseki Nage from page 48 in the YUDANSHA book.…

Kihon Happo – Musha Dori (Udejime Ashiori Kata)

From YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO by YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO

Kihon Happo is the very foundation of Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu. Here is the seventh technique called Musha Dori (Ude Jime Ashi Ori Kata) from page 47 in the YUDANSHA book.…

Kihon Happo – Ura Kote Gyaku Dori

From YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO by YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO

Kihon Happo is the very foundation of Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu. Here is the sixth technique called Ura Kote Gyaku Dori from page 46 in the YUDANSHA book.…

Kihon Happo – Omote Kote Gyaku Ken Sabaki

From YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO by YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO

Kihon Happo is the very foundation of Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu. Here is the fifth technique called Omote Kote Gyaku Ken Sabaki from page 45 in the YUDANSHA book.…

Ichimonji no Kata

From YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO by YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO

Ichimonji Waza from the Kihon Happo Kosshi Kihon Sanpo of Bujinkan Dojo Budo Taijutsu.…

YUDANSHA BOOK by MATS HJELM

From YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO by YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO

武神館有段者の案内所
YUDANSHA – BUJINKAN BLACK BELT GUIDE

Prints in 3-5 business days
Click button below to order

English, Perfect-bound Paperback, 184 pages richly illustrated with pictures and illustrations. (32 483 Words, 145 533 Characters)

This book is a comprehensive guide to understand the Taijutsu of the Bujinkan system as taught by Masaaki Hatsumi Soke. We have this concept of Shu-Ha-Ri which is three major processes to learn Budo. First, we learn the fundamentals, then how to break them up. Then you transcend to a state where you are totally free without even thinking of what you are doing. Needless to say, you can’t get to the last stage without knowing the first stage well. It is said that you should study each level for at least 10 years. This book is all about the first stage we call Shu. It is further divided into three levels.

  • 天略の巻 TEN RYAKU NO MAKI (The scroll of Heaven)
  • 地略の巻 CHI RYAKU NO MAKI (The scroll of Earth)
  • 人略の巻 JIN RYAKU NO MAKI (The scroll of Man)

About the Author: Mats have been training Bujinkan Budo-taijutsu since the early 1980’s. He travelled all around the world to train and teach Bujinkan Budo-taijutsu. http://YudanshaBook.com

Print details: 8.26″ x 11.69″ (EU Standard A4), perfect binding, white interior paper (60# weight), black and white interior ink, white exterior paper (90# weight), full-color exterior ink.

BACKGROUNDThank you for your interest in Bujinkan Budō-taijutsu!

This is not a self-study course, it is really necessary for you to have a qualified instructor to help you. The purpose for this book is to be a tool to help your progress. You will learn names and principles here, and the correct movements from an instructor that can point out bad angles, distance, timing etcetera.

This is a collection of techniques I think black belts in the Bujinkan system should at least be familiar with, and teachers should know by heart.

The layout of the techniques here is from Ten-Chi-Jin Ryaku no Maki, Shidōshi scrolls. Togakure-ryū Ninpō-taijutsu, an out of print book, and numerous publications and videos by Hatsumi Sōke.

This is not an official Bujinkan guide line, book, study material or what you want to call it. It is something I worked on for 35 years and ongoing, it is my legacy to my students. If other teachers want to endorse it or follow it, thank you! If someone doesn’t agree, that’s fine to, by all means release your own better version. This was made to students and friends from many nationalities that bought my videos, attended my seminars and showed interest in my way of teaching over the years.

Mats Hjelm

This book has been an ongoing project by Mats Hjelm at Kaigozan Dojo for 35 years, now it is time to release it publicly in English as version 3.0.

…

Second edition of Yudansha is out, and the Errata for 3.0

From YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO by YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO

The Second edition v3.1 (Released July 2018) IS OUT NOW!

It is also available as coil bound to make it more practical to use in the dojo. In the future there will also be a luxury version with full colour on all pages and hard cover for real hard core collectors.

The direct link to Lulu with all the book versions is http://bit.ly/yudansha

I found these errors, and made these changes to the new edition.

Errata for the First edition v3.0 (Released May 2018)

    • p.42 JŪMONJI … Move the right foot back to Kōsei no kamae. Zanshin.
      (I forgot why I wrote Hōi no kamae, couldn’t find the source so I changed back to Kōsei)
    • p.49 TAIHENJUTSU MUTŌDORI got the wrong kanji, it should be 体変術無刀捕型
    • p.79 OMOTE. With your left thumb and ring finger… Grab his left Hoshizawa with the right hand…
    • p.81 URA. (Not wrong, but I switched left to right so it matches the picture).
    • p.83 MUSŌ-DORI …His left wrist is trapped with your left arm, the left Shutō is covering his elbow,
    • p.92 YUME NO MAKURA. (Not wrong, but I switched left to right so it matches the picture).
    • p.105 RYŌTE. (Not wrong, but I switched left to right so it matches the picture).
    • p.145 ŌKYO. Should be a left Shitō-ken.
    • p.162 YŪDANSHA. I got the wrong kanji, it should be 雄段者
 which means Man, male or husband. In this context I would say all grown up black belt.

Please write a review what you think about the book, I really appreciate that! Thank’s Norman for your kind words.

 

The direct link to Lulu with all the book versions is http://bit.ly/yudansha…

YUDANSHA Book RELEASED on Lulu

From YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO by YŪDANSHA NO AN'NAISHO

武神館有段者の案内所
YUDANSHA – BUJINKAN BLACK BELT GUIDE

List Price: $27.77
Introduction Price: $22.22
You Save: $5.55 ( 20% )
Prints in 3-5 business days

English, Perfect-bound Paperback, 184 pages richly illustrated with pictures and illustrations. (32 483 Words, 145 533 Characters)

This book is a comprehensive guide to understand the Taijutsu of the Bujinkan system as taught by Masaaki Hatsumi Soke. We have this concept of Shu-Ha-Ri which is three major processes to learn Budo. First, we learn the fundamentals, then how to break them up. Then you transcend to a state where you are totally free without even thinking of what you are doing. Needless to say, you can’t get to the last stage without knowing the first stage well. It is said that you should study each level for at least 10 years. This book is all about the first stage we call Shu. It is further divided into three levels.

  • 天略の巻 TEN RYAKU NO MAKI (The scroll of Heaven)
  • 地略の巻 CHI RYAKU NO MAKI (The scroll of Earth)
  • 人略の巻 JIN RYAKU NO MAKI (The scroll of Man)

About the Author: Mats have been training Bujinkan Budo-taijutsu since the early 1980’s. He travelled all around the world to train and teach Bujinkan Budo-taijutsu. http://YudanshaBook.com

Print details: 8.26″ x 11.69″ (EU Standard A4), perfect binding, white interior paper (60# weight), black and white interior ink, white exterior paper (90# weight), full-color exterior ink.…