Taijutsu literally translates as “body arts or skills with the body”. This is unarmed fighting, which is the foundation of our martial art. Taijutsu is the use of whole body movement and flexibility. It is a combination of ground hitting skills, rolling and leaping with striking and grappling methods. There are also methods for climbing, conditioning the body and maintaining health, as well as special ways of walking and running. As a fighting system, Taijutsu relies on natural body strength and suppleness and an understanding of the principles of nature, for successful results in self-protection. Taijutsu also forms the base for our study of weapons. In the words of the previous head of our tradition, Takamatsu Sensei wrote “The essence of all martial arts is self-protection and the prevention of danger. Taijutsu epitomizes the fullest concept of self-protection through martial training in that this art deals with the protection of not only the physical body, but the mind and spirit as well. Taijutsu is the way of attaining that which we need while making the world a better place.”

Atemi (striking methods). This art includes learning to strike with the various parts of the body in a variety of configurations with precision. The whole body is trained to move as one with fluid natural movement combined with the study of Kyusho (weak points). One trains to attack the various anatomical systems of the body such as the bones, muscles, organs, nerves, blood vessels, glands, and meridian energy pathways. How to damage and protect each system is studied.

Sakkijutsu is the ability to sense the thoughts and intentions of an attacker that arise from their conscious or subconscious mind. Before the attack comes the ability to sense Sakki allows you to evade an attack or plot against you in life. This is one goal of our training that allows you to put yourself in a state of Mushin (emptiness or nothingness). When you enter the state of Mushin you begin to move freely and naturally in time with unseen forces that co-exist all around us. This ability marks the beginning and entrance into the world of true martial arts training and is cultivated by the constant practice of Jissen Gata (real fighting forms), which is the focus of training in the Bujinkan Dojo.