Ninjutsu is "The
Art of Winning"
Many have portrayed the Ninja as assassins or rogue mercenaries whose only interest was in making a profit off their martial skills. This could not be further from the truth. Many ninja held prominent positions in military and government throughout Japanese history--most notable was the famous Hanzo Hattori, a Grandmaster of Koto Ryu Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu was never meant to be something held in secret or contempt. It's main purpose is make the world a better place for us all by bringing about peace--only using the secret techniques when no other more peaceful options were available.
The late Takamatsu-sensei, 33rd Grandmaster of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, was 70 years old when he accepted the young Dr. Hatsumi under his tutelage. Grandmaster Hatsumi was already an accomplished martial artist with many tournament trophies and black belt ranks. Yet this "frail old man" was able to effectively and effortlessly defend against anything Dr. Hatsumi threw at him. How?!?! The secrets of Ninjutsu are not based on size, strength, or age. They are a culmination of proper footwork, distance and timing on a physical level, a grand understanding of the Universe on a philosophical level, and having attained the "mind and eyes of god" through life experiences on a spiritual level. This 3-pronged defense would leave the student Hatsumi defeated and confused every time. It was only later that he learned the secret: His Sensei was allowing him to defeat himself.
The Ninja lives in a "State
of Winning," or "Meijin" (fully actualized human
being) not for the purpose of defeating adversaries or for
personal growth but for the perpetuation of peace and the growth
of all Humanity. Assailants not understanding the depth of this
existence will lose every time when in conflict with the Ninja
yet through their loss they are invited to join this State.
Takamatsu-sensei admonished that the human spirit is most
important. Never destroy the human spirit when defeating an
opponent. Allow the attacker to learn from his mistakes and grow
as a Human Being. This is the heart of the Ninja.
Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi (34th Grandmaster of the over 1,000 year-old
Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu and 8 other ancient Japanese Taijutsu
traditions) founded the International Bujinkan Organization to
help the World better understand this deep, rich aspect of
Japanese culture and help bring peace through the study and
understanding of martial arts. Dr. Hatsumi has already received
many awards and recognitions the world over. His home is
literally wallpapered with awards, letters, and seals from
presidents, kings, popes, diplomats, and artists that give him
and his organization the recognition from the world that Ninjutsu
is an asset to the World and the growth of Humanity for centuries
more to come.
Shihan (Master Instructor) Wade Goodner is one of a small handful
of instructors around the world who have attained ranks above the
coveted 10th Dan. He has well over 20 years of experience in the
Bujinkan and was inducted into the United States Martial Arts
Hall of Fame in 2005. In the spirit of aiding Dr. Hatsumi's
mission, Shihan Wade Goodner has formed the Bujinkan Raiken Dojo
so the entire World can learn and become "Meijin."