Bujinkan

fishtastico

I've been looking at different MA styles, and while I'm mainly in it for the fitness aspect, and looking to learn some new skills, it wouldn't hurt to be able to use the stuff (not that I'd really want to).

Anyway, I really like the look of the stuff involved with Bujinkan, and was wondering how it is in general, and if it's more relevant to actual fighting than say, Aikido (I know Aikido is great and all, but as far as I can tell, you need to be pretty skilled to use it effectively in a street fight compared to the likes of kickboxing)

Also, I hear Bujinkan is pretty tough, which is absolutely fine, but I was wondering what exactly is involved for a beginner.

I'd appreciate any help ye could give me

ginoginelli

My experience of Bujinkan is that its a bit of a joke tbh. It ranks low on the getting fit aspect and even lower on the self defense aspect. It can be fun though, if your into that sort of thing..

Try a few different arts and see which ones you like. Judo is fun and great for self defense and fitness..

fishtastico

Is this a common complaint against it?

Bujinkan

ginoginelli wrote: »

My experience of Bujinkan is that its a bit of a joke tbh. It ranks low on the getting fit aspect and even lower on the self defense aspect. It can be fun though, if your into that sort of thing..
..

Wow I'd love to hear about your experiance with training in the art? Where did you train and for how long?

Bujinkan

Where are you based Fishtastico?

fishtastico

I live in Palmerstown

Bujinkan

OK I run the clubs in Lucan and Leixlip. Tell you what, just for the fun of it why don't you come down and watch one of my classes and then you can post your honest opinion of what you see at the class?

fishtastico

Thanks, I may take you up on that. My friend and I were thinking of enrolling, and it would be interesting to see what we could be getting ourselves into. It looks like a great MA, but people seem to have a problem with it. No idea why

Bujinkan

Well all clubs vary in their approach. I’ve been involved in the Bujinkan for over 20 years, and the vast majority of my training is based on what I’ve learned in Japan and training with other senior Bujinkan instructors throughout the world. In my club I’m tough on fitness and we spar full contact as often as we can. It would be a pleasure to have you come down to the club and share with others what you think about the art.

fishtastico

That sounds great, thanks. I should be in contact within the next week. This week is a bit hectic as I'm finishing off the degree... But yeah, the emphasis on fitness and sparring is exactly what I'm looking for anyway, and would counter most complaints against it that I've seen...

Bujinkan

Look forward to hearing from you! Contact details are available on www.dwyerdojo.com Best of luck with the Degree!

ginoginelli

I triained in a few different clubs. Rathmines being one of them.. These classes were mainly comprised of nerdy non athletic types learning kata or just enough self defence to get them hurt.

Maybe your classes are different and im sure people can get something from every martial art. I just think judo, boxing kickboxing mma have a much more realistic and functional take on self defence and fitness.

Heres a video of a few of the "bujinkan masters" getting embaressed by an mma guy at their own game..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or27dASZjCg&feature=related

fishtastico

ginoginelli wrote: »

I triained in a few different clubs. Rathmines being one of them.. These classes were mainly comprised of nerdy non athletic types learning kata or just enough self defence to get them hurt.

Maybe your classes are different and im sure people can get something from every martial art. I just think judo, boxing kickboxing mma have a much more realistic and functional take on self defence and fitness.

Heres a video of a few of the "bujinkan masters" getting embaressed by an mma guy at their own game..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or27dASZjCg&feature=related

But... The MMA guy loses... Also, the attitude towards the physicality of the practitioners makes me think that I would be more at home in an art that has a bit of philosophy behind it rather than wanting to just beat randomers up

Bujinkan

God this has been done to death on MAP. They had to throw something togeather at the last moment to accomodate the TV crew for the programme. Some simple Randori with some padded Shinai. Generally it's first contact wins with the weapons, but they wanted something to take up 15 minutes so they had to do it over rounds.:D

This one is much more fun, a recent Embu done in Japan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDqTOZI4uF0

Like I said ginoginelli, come down and have a look if your close by. Clubs differ!

ginoginelli

:rolleyes:

I think you're a bit confused. Maybe Bujinkan is the right art for you after all.

Just saying from what I have experienced, Bujinkan was a walter mitty haven..

Rev Hellfire

Bujinkan wrote: »

This one is much more fun, a recent Embu done in Japan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDqTOZI4uF0

Is it me or just it all just look a 'little' bit staged ?
While playing around with swords and staffs is fun its not really all that practical, I mean I can count the number of times I've encountered someone with a yari on no hands.
Though I'm willing to concede that perhaps the hanbo might be useful since that at least has a chance of been improvised.

ginoginelli wrote:

It ranks low on the getting fit aspect and even lower on the self defense aspect.

I wouldn't say that's strictly true, it would be like any other sport you'll get out of it what you put into it.

As for the efficiency of any martial art, I'd hold judgement until I heard from someone who's actually tried to use that stuff in a proper fight.

Bujinkan

Yes it is staged, it's a demonstration. As for the effectiveness of any martial art, it's only as effective as the time put into it. Most people have a tendendcy to judge the Bujinkan on either it's weapons training (only accounts for about 10% of training in my club) or it's beginners courses. There are schools of Jujutsu contained within the Buj. Most aren't studied until you get up the ranks a bit, so are not widly seen, so judging it based on a beginners/introduction course is a bit pointless.

Quillo

Trained a bit with BBD in the early 90's but was travelling up from Limerick to Dublin every weekend and that proved unsustainable - was all a bit intense but was interesting nonetheless.

Recently started again with Bujinkan Tramore Dojo (and a little with the Bujinkan Wexford Dojo) and I find it very varied (a true Mixed Martial Art !), interesting and it certainly has self defense applications.

I guess it very much down to the people teaching and the student's ability to apply what is being taught.