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MASAAKI HATSUMI SOKE |
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In 1957. Hatsumi was 26 when he met Soke Toshitsugu Takamatsu, called
"The Mongolian tiger", the legendary teacher of Ninpo Taijutsu, who
took him as his personal student. Every weekend during the time period of 15
years Hatsumi traveled for about 15 hours across the whole Honshu island to
the town Kashiwabara, to learn from this supreme teacher. Hatsumi says that
the training with Soke Takamatsu was incredible, and that he constantly had a
feeling that he was "walking under the blade of the sword". After
passing the Sakki test Takamatsu Soke gave Menkyo Kaiden (the master license)
for nine schools of warrior arts to Hatsumi. A year before he died (he died
on 2. April 1972.) Takamatsu Soke told to his student Hatsumi that he taught
him everything he knew.
For his work and teachings Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi recieved many
acknowledgements and rewards from many army (US Marines, US Navy Seal's, US
Delta, SAS, EVA 21 air force Base – Spain, etc.), police (honorary member of
Arizona and Texas Rangers, FBI, DEA, NSA, SRT, CIA, SWAT, Specwog, etc.) and
government institutions (Pentagon, White House, etc.). On the 3. November 1961. He had a lecture about, and demonstrated Ninjutsu for the Japanese Emperor (Tenno) Akihito, where he introduced him to traditional Ninja weapons and techniques of this warrior art. In 1982. Hatsumi Soke traveled out of Japan to present and teach Ninjutsu for the first time. After that, in 1986. he received the "Black Belt" magazine award for the best teacher. In 1987. He held the first TaiKai seminar in Europe, London and later he regularly continued with TaiKai seminars all over the world: USA, England, Sweden, Israel, Spain, Germany, Australia, Luxemburg, Portugal, France, Argentina, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Norway, Holland. In 1995. He was awarded the title Todo Hanshi (The Great master of the use of sword and the Way of the sword) from Nakazawa Toshi, The President of Zen Nippon Todo Renmei (The Japanese fencing Federation). For his work he also received a great acknowledgement and blessing from the Pope John Paul II (as the only martial artist in the world) and a series of medals and acknowledgements from the Japanese Emperor and the Japanese government (Sekai Bunka Taisho, Shakai, Bunka Korosho, Kokusai Bunka Eiyosho). He also participated as an advisor on few films with Ninja thematic, "Shinobi no mono" and "You only live twice" (James Bond movie), and as an actor in series "Suteki no mama" and "Jiraya" (where he plays a role of Yamaji Tetsuzana in 50 episodes). Hatsumi Soke is also a doctor of Osteopathy, and he also received honorary doctorate of natural sciences from the American University, honorary doctorate of The Institute for electronic research in The University of Washington, honorary doctorate of Manchester school of Osteopathy. He is also a Nihonga (Japanese style) painter, and he held exhibits in Ginza – Nagai gallery. He is also a musician and a singer, and a writer (The President and Chairman of The International department of the Club of Japanese literary artists 1990-94.). He has published dozens of books and over 50 videotapes on the theme of Ninpo Budo taijutsu - Ninjutsu. Today, Masaaki Hatsumi Soke is considered to be one of the best martial artists in the world, and the Japanese government considers him a National treasure, and has decorated him for his work and contribution on the areas of culture and warrior arts. It's a great honor and pleasure that Hatsumi Soke is our teacher. Info provided by Bujinkan Croatia web site. |
Hatsumi
Masaaki was born on 2. December 1931. In the city of Noda-shi in Chiba ken
district, Japan. 