Bujinkan or Genbukan?

The Skulls

As the title says; which one to choose? I understand there's more bujinkan dojo's in Dublin so that won't be a problem, what about Genbukan? What's the difference? (forgive the ignorance). Any practitioners of either system here any insight to offer? Hoping to hear from you soon.

pearsquasher

Hmmm thats a tough one. I've been doing Bujinkan over 20 years in ireland and while I have heard of lower grade students studying both arts for a small period, i've never heard of anyone spending enough time in both equally for there to be an informed opinion on actual differences from such a person.

Based on website/messageboard traffic over the last decade I would say that superficially G is more formal and standardized than B in terms of organisational structure, gradings etc. I think if you spent a few months at each org you'd pretty much see similar movement/attitudes/ways of training. I think though, again based on dialogue with long-term practicioners, that long term students of each org would have quite a different mind-set and way of moving. Not as different as Muai Thai/Judo but bit more subtle than that.

Purely from youtube and purely from my own perspective as a long term bujinkan student, Genbukan movement seems to have a Chinese influence too as well as nuances form other arts that have nothing to do with Bujinkan. This has all to do with the heads of each organization once having a common thread but for the last 20 years, having divergent influences.

So in summary, to the untrained eye, the two arts look similar. But dig deeper and they're apples and oranges.

ryoishin

OP depends on your goals within the Takamatsuden?

You can PM them to me if you want and Ill give you an honest reply.

The Skulls

ryoishin wrote: »

OP depends on your goals within the Takamatsuden?

You can PM them to me if you want and Ill give you an honest reply.

Forgive my ignorance, Takamatsuden?

ryoishin

OP you should Google Takamatsu. He passed on his schools to the people who operate now.

Not being disrespectful OP but if you dont know who Takamatsu was then your not at a stage where picking either Bujinkan or Genbukan will matter that much. My advice without knowing your goals or interests is to find a good teacher that you gel well with and who you think you can learn the most from, regardless of rank.

You ll find more info from both sides here:
http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=33

The Skulls

ryoishin wrote: »

OP you should Google Takamatsu. He passed on his schools to the people who operate now.

Not being disrespectful OP but if you dont know who Takamatsu was then your not at a stage where picking either Bujinkan or Genbukan will matter that much. My advice without knowing your goals or interests is to find a good teacher that you gel well with and who you think you can learn the most from, regardless of rank.

You ll find more info from both sides here:
http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=33

Thank you for the replies & the link, I do know who Takamatsu was but was unsure of why Hatsumi & Tanamura went their separate ways so I didn't know if their respective & mutual (claimed) ryuha had any differences as such.

ShogunMA

There are vast differences between Genbukan and Bujinkan and in reality their only similarity is historical. They have a common source and even that has very different styles inherited by each grandmaster. I am a member of Genbukan over 20 years.
That aside I would like to let everyone know that June 2nd is the official opening of my new Martial Arts shop in Navan County Meath. There will be discounts for all clubs and organizations. We will be supplying the best quality weapons and training equipment.
The shop website and details will be available soon as for now you can just drop into the shop or email me at sanzenirl@hotmail.com