Grandmaster Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi
Tribute to the greatest Martial Artist of our time Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi Ph.D.
This page is an celebration to the great Martial Artist - our soke Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.
Congratulations to all your achievements Sensei!
This page is constantly under construction. As Soke get so many awards each year it is difficult for us to keep up to date with them. Please help to make this page even more complete, send us dates and achievements with some kind of referance to back up your statements, thanks! Michael Schjerling.
Special thanks to Mats Hjelm for providing us with the information on this page. For further information on The Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu I will recommend you to take a look at Kabuto's Bujinkan website.
Curriculum Vitae
Hatsumi Yoshiaki was born 2'nd December 1931 in Noda (Just North of Tokyo), he later changed his first given name to Masaaki. He was introduced to Kendo by his father when he was 7 years old, he also studied Judo and Karate. In Junior High School he was a gymnast, boxer and the Captain in the Junior High School soccer team. He also studied social dancing wich he believes helped him with the footwork in his Budo training. In his College years he continued to practise Boxing and Judo, he belonged to the Judo and Drama clubs and studied Theater Arts.
During his studies in Medical School, he recieved 4th Dan in Judo. He was asked to teach Judo to the American soldiers at the Yokota Army Base, wich he accepted. He was in his early 20's and found that the big Americans seemed to have size and natural ability and Hatsumi found that they were learning in months what took the typical Japanese years. He began to question his training... What good is a martial art if a bigger or stronger person could easily defeat you? Hatsumi then began searching for a true warrior tradition.
He paid a teacher of Kobudo 300.000 Yen each month to come to the Dojo at his home to teach him Kobujutsu Juuhappan (the 18 categories of Kobujutsu). He completed this training in three years.
- Showa 31 (1957) - Year of Tori-Hinoto (Rooster-Fire)
When he was 26 years old he met Takamatsu Toshitsugu in Kashiwabara City west of the Iga region in Japan. He travelled across Honshu island every weekend for fifteen years to study with his teacher. The train ride took him over a half day from his home in Noda to Takamatsu's home in Kashiwabara. Takamatsu wrote a poem to Hatsumi wich reads... "In the days of the Tenei era there was a great master of Koppo. He was calm and peaceful like the flowers of springtime. Yet he was so brave that not even 10,000 enemies could make him show fear. He could even strike down a wild animal with but a single blow."
- Showa 35 (1961) - Year of Ushi-Kanoto (Bull-Metal)
November 3 he held a lecture to the Japanese Tennoh (crown prince) about Ninpo. Sanmyaku No.8
- Showa 36 (1962) - Year of Tora-Mizunoe (Tiger-Water)
The film "Shinobi no mono" a film about Ishikawa Goemon and Momochi Sandayu was released this year, he acted as the advisor to the film company.
- Showa 38 (1964) - Year of Tatsu-Kinoe (Dragon-Wood)
He performed frequently in the childrens program "Suteki-na-Mama!" (Fantastic Mama!). Sanmyaku No.8
- Showa 46 (1972) - Year of Ne-Mizunoe (Mouse-Water)
After 15 years of studying, Takamatsu Toshitsugu died 83 years old in his home in
Nara (just East of Osaka) April 2'nd in 1972.
A few years earlier Takamatsu had already decided that Hatsumi would be the next
sole inheritor and "Soke" (Family head) of...
Togakure-ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 34th Soke
Gyokko-ryu Kosshijutsu Happo Biken, 28th Soke
Kukishin-ryu Taijutsu Happo Biken, 28th Soke
Shindenfudo-ryu Dakentaijutsu Happo Biken, 26th Soke
Gyokushin-ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 21th Soke
Koto-ryu Koppojutsu Happo Biken, 18th Soke
Takagiyoshin-ryu Jutaijutsu Happo Biken, 17th Soke
Gikan-ryu Koppo Taijutsu Happo Biken, 15th Soke
Kumogakure-ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 14th Soke
- Showa 56 (1982) - Year of Inu-Mizunoe (Dog-Water)
He first travels to West (to Dayton, Ohio, USA) to teach Budo.
- Showa 59 (1985) - Year of Ushi-Kinoto (Bull-Wood)
- Showa 60 (1986) - Year of Tora-Hinoe (Tiger-Fire)
Received the "Best Instructor Award" from the Black Belt Magazine (as voted by the readers). This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, Japan
- Showa 61 (1987) - Year of Usagi-Hinoto (Rabbit-Fire)
First travel to Europe (London, UK) to teach Budo. He hosted Taikai's in United Kingdom and USA, Japan
- Heisei 1 (1988) - Year of Tatsu-Tsuchinoe (Dragon-Earth)
Acted in Jiraya, a 50 episodes children's adventure series made by Asahi Television.
He played the part of "Yamaji Tetsuzan" (Jiraya's father and teacher).
This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Japan
- Heisei 2 (1989) - Year of Mi-Tsuchinoto (Snake-Earth)
This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Israel, Japan
- Heisei 3 (1990) - Year of Uma-Kanoe (Horse-Metal)
He was the "Chairman of the International Division, Japan Literary Artist's Club" 1990-94
This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Spain, Japan
- Heisei 4 (1991) - Year of Hitsuji-Kanoto (Sheep-Metal)
Received a letter of appreciation from the US President George Bush on his 60'th birthday.
This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Japan
- Heisei 5 (1992) - Year of Saru-Mizunoe (Monkey-Water)
Honorary degree of Ph.D. Natural (Human?) Science from the US University.
Special honour from Secretary of State for National Heritage (UK).
Received a letter of thanks from Mr. John Bannon, Premier of South Australia.
Received the Cross Medal and Sun Medal from Juan Carlos, King of Spain.
Special thanks from Hendon Metropolitan Police/London.
Atlanta citizen award from State of Georgia.
Honorary Jordan Valley citizen in Israel.
Accepted an award from the Noda City Educational and and Cultural Board in recognition of Bujinkan's
contribution to International Relations betweeen Noda City and many countries around the world.
Accepted the position as the Director of the Japan Literary Club, International Section.
Visit to EVA 21 (Air Base) in Gran Canaria Island in Spain. Soke made a demonstration against pistol attack and he received a special award like honour member in this Base from Commandant Perez Jimenez (1).
Award from Telde City Council (Gran Canaria Island, Spain) (1).
This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, UK, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Australia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Israel, Japan
- Heisei 6 (1993) - Year of Tori-Mizunoto (Rooster-Water)
Main Theme this year was Rokushaku Bojutsu & Taijutsu
Received a letter of appreciation and thanks from the Australian Prime Minister.
Received a letter of thanks from Pentagon, USA.
Received a Ph.D. from Electronical Research University and another doctorate at the Washington Taikai in USA.
Honorary award from the Spanish Secretary of State for the Intelligence Agency.
Received a birthday card from President Clinton, USA.
This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, Spain, Australia, France, Argentina, Japan
- Heisei 7 (1994) - Year of Inu-Kinoe (Dog-Wood)
Main Theme this year was Sojutsu (Yari) & Kodachi
Formed Bujinkan Juyushi, consisting of those members, regardless of rank, who train the most with him in Japan.
Became "Knight" at Frankfurt.
Received an honorary Doctorate from Manchester School of Osteopathy.
This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, Germany, UK, Japan
- Heisei 8 (1995) - Year of Inoshishi-Kinoto (Buffaroo-Wood)
Main Theme this year was Naginatajutsu & Daisho Sabaki Gata & Taijutsu
Changed the name from Bujinkan Ninpo Taijutsu to Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, to reflect the growing ability of students to train in a wider range of the Bujinkan arts.
Was awarded the title Todo Hanshi (Master teacher of the way of the sword) on februari 11th by Nakazawa Toshi, President of Zen Nippon Todo Renmei (Japan Sword Federation).
Honorary Member of Arizona Rangers (only person to be Honorary Member of both Arizona & Texas Rangers).
Honorary Citizen of Texas State / Los Angeles / Atlanta / Dublin / Jordan Valley, Burton Village(?).
Leadership Award from Hillsdale University.
Received an award from New Jersey State Legislature
Received an award from USA Sports Minister
Received an award from Japan Cultural Association
Received an award from London Metropolitan Police Headquarters
Received an award from Chairman (Mayor?) of London
Received an award from City of Belfast, Northern Ireland
Received an award from Secretary of State for Catalunya
Received an award from Berlin National (sic!) Minister
Received an award from City of Linteschraissen(?)
Received Letters of thanks from Prince Charles's secretary
Received Letters of thanks from UK Secretary of State for the Environment
Received Letters of thanks from London Ambassador (Japanese Ambassador?)'s secretary
Received Letters of thanks from Texas State Governor
Received Letters of thanks from Georgia State Governor
Received Letters of thanks from FBI
Received an award from EVA 21 (Air Base) in Gran Canaria Island in Spain (1).
Honorary member of Association Canary Garrote (fighting stick) (1).
Honorary member of Association culture exchange canary - japanese (1).
This year he hosted Taikai's in... USA, New Zealand, Spain, UK, Japan
- Heisei 9 (1996) - Year of Ne-Hinoe (Mouse-Fire
Main Theme this year was Bikenjutsu & Taijutsu
Opened the Bujinden (honbu dojo) september 9th (note: this was the 9th year of Heisei, the 9th month, and the 9th day).
This year he hosted Taikai's in... Holland, Spain, USA, Japan
- Heisei 10 (1997) - Year of Ushi-Hinoto (Bull-Fire)
Main Theme this year was Jojutsu, Tachi and Taijutsu
This year he hosted Taikai's in... Spain, USA, Japan
- Heisei 11 (1998) - Year of Tora-Tsuchinoe (Tiger-Earth)
Main Theme this year was Shindenfudo-ryu Dakentaijutsu Happo Biken
This year he hosted Taikai's in... Italy, Sweden, USA, Japan
- Heisei 12 (1999) - Year of Usagi-Tsuchinoto (Rabbit-Earth)
Main Theme this year was Kukishin-ryu Taijutsu Happo Biken
This year he hosted Taikai's in... Germany, UK, USA, Japan
Recieved the Grand Price from International Cultural Promoting Association, signed by the Japanese Emperor.
- Heisei 13 (2000) - Year of Tatsu-Kanoe (Dragon-Metal)
Main Theme this year was Koppojutsu
This year he hosted Taikai's in... Holland, USA, Japan
Added to all this...
He's also a Nihonga (Japanese-style) painter. He have exhibitions in Noda, Ginza (Nagai Gallery), etc.
He used to be vice vice-president of the Japanese Cat Breeders Association.
He's supplied Martial Arts guidance for numerous Film, TV & Theatre acts.
Special thanks to Mats Hjelm for providing us with the information on this page. For further information on The Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu I will recommend you to take a look at Kabuto's Bujinkan website.