Training Programs

Students new to Kobudo Club may participate in one of several different training programs, depending on their experience and personal goals. Each program has a distinctive focus and curriculum, and requires a different level of commitment.

Goshinjutsu

The art of self-preservation, or “go-shin-jutsu” (preserve-body-art), refers to non-martial systems that focus exclusively on personal defense in real-life situations. True self-defense must be comprehensive to be effective, that is, it must address (a) how to escape from attacks (physical component) as well as (b) how to avoid dangerous situations (mental component). Our comprehensive self-defense system teaches proven techniques for escaping from all manner of attacks (e.g., holds on various parts of the body, punches and kicks, armed assaults) and a wide-ranging strategy for avoiding dangerous situations and assaults.

The beginner-level course will teach fundamental self-defense skills, both physical and mental. Each class will include physical training in self-defense techniques and a brief discussion on self-defense strategies. Students may continue to learn Goshinjutsu through subsequent courses in Intermediate Goshinjutsu, Advanced Goshinjutsu, and Hanbo-jutsu (stick self-defense).

KJJR Jujutsu

Ju-jutsu (supple/gentle art) is a general term used to refer to those traditional Japanese martial arts that were designed for controlling an opponent without the use of combat tools. Today, the term jujutsu is applied to a large number and variety of empty-hand arts that developed from the Kamakura Period (late 12th Century) through the Edo Period (till 1868). An important characteristic of these arts is that they are NOT sports (i.e., do not involve competition), but actual combat arts. While these arts evidence a great variety of forms, jujutsu are characterized by the way they use an opponent’s momentum and power to neutralize an attack. Jujutsu systems typically include blocks, strikes, and chokes, but are probably best known for their joint locks, reversals, and throws.

Unfortunately today, very few schools outside of Japan practice what could be considered authentic jujutsu. Having lost the connection with their Japanese roots, they have evolved into eclectic arts. KJJR Jujutsu provides traditional instruction to those who seek authentic Japanese jujutsu. The KJJR Jujutsu system has a modern kyu-dan structure (Gendai Budo), but its curriculum is built from the traditional martial art schools (Koryu Bujutsu) that Grandmaster Tanemura has mastered, such as Hontai Takagi Yoshin-ryū Jutaijutsu, Asayama Ichiden-ryū Taijutsu, and Tenshin Hyoho Kukishin-ryū Jujutsu. Additionally, KJJR Jujutsu students have an opportunity to earn traditional licenses (menkyo) in the ryū-ha from which the system was constructed.

Students who have some familiarity with Japanese martial arts, classical or modern, may begin advanced training in Ninpo Bugei.

GWNBF Ninpo Taijutsu

Nin-po is the most comprehensive martial art system in existence today. The term Ninpo is composed of two characters: the first, "nin," literally means patience, perseverance, and stealth; the second, "po," in this context means the universal Buddhist law. Therefore, Ninpo may be understood as the ultimate and eternal reality of perseverance and stealth.

More concretely, Ninpo is a group of related martial traditions (bugei) that developed in Japan since the ancient period (pre-12th century) and were combined under one comprehensive martial system in the modern period (after 1868). The full system includes 18 conventional martial arts and 18 unconventional martial arts. Also, Ninpo contains a unique world view, emphasizing defense (rather than violence) and a compassionate heart. Ninpo balances philosophical and spiritual training with physical training. In Ninpo, development of a student’s character and spirit is as important as development of technical (physical) martial skills.

Ninpo training centers on the unarmed system, called Tai-jutsu (body-art). Taijutsu incorporates several older styles—kosshijutsu, koppojutsu, jutaijutsu, and dakentaijutsu—each with a particular specialty, all emphasizing escape and evasion. The Taijutsu system has a modern kyu-dan structure (Gendai Budo), but its curriculum is built from the traditional martial art schools (Koryu Bujutsu) that Grandmaster Tanemura has mastered, such as Gyokko-ryū Kosshijutsu, Koto-ryū Koppojutsu, and Shinden Fudo-ryū Dakentaijutsu. Once students complete the beginner level (10-7 Kyu) in Ninpo Taijutsu, they may begin cross-training with one or more martial tools (or "bu-ki"). Additionally, Taijutsu students have an opportunity to earn traditional licenses (menkyo) in the ryū-ha from which the Taijutsu system is constructed.

Buki

The term "bu-ki," or martial tools, refers to a wide array of weapons used by Japanese warriors throughout the ancient and medieval periods. Though students will be exposed to more than a dozen conventional and unconventional martial tools – e.g., dai-to, sho-to, tan-to, shuri-ken, yumi, rokushaku-bo, naginata, yari, sanjaku-bo, tan-bo, jutte, jo, kusari-gama, etc. – the main focus of training is on mastering the Japanese sword (dai-to) and staff (rokushaku-bo and sanjaku-bo).

Grandmaster Tanemura's sword system (Bi-ken-jutsu, or "secret-sword-art") is comprised of nine kyu levels and five master levels (Shoden, Chuden, Okuden, Menkyo, and Kaiden). In the kyu levels, students learn the basic stances and cuts from ken-jutsu and iai-jutsu as well as unconventional skills from the Ninpo tradition. Soke's staff system is based on the Kukishin-ryu rokushaku-bojutsu and sanjaku-bojutsu systems, and is comprised of three kyu levels and five master levels (Shoden, etc.). Along with taijutsu, sword and staff are considered foundational martial skills, and students who have mastered these combat arts can quickly learn any Japanese martial tool system.

The study of classical martial tools is open to students who have reached the intermediate level (Go-kyu or its equivalent) in classical jujutsu or taijutsu. However, in certain circumstances, it may be possible for a student to begin sword training earlier.

Special Seminars

In addition to weekly classes, Kobudo Club students are encouraged to participate in bi-annual Ninpo Seminars, sponsored by Kobudo Club. Ninpo Seminars provide a unique opportunity to advance one’s knowledge of the traditional martial arts of Japan. Seminars focus on the three pillars of Ninpo – taijutsu (various unarmed styles), kenjutsu (sword), and bojutsu (staff) – because these three combat arts form the foundation for almost all traditional martial systems. Ninpo Seminars provide an intensive training experience: in a single day-long seminar students will receive several months’ worth of instruction in taijutsu and buki (martial tools).

Also, because of our affiliation with the Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation and Kokusai Jujutsu Renmei, Kobudo Club students are exposed to the breadth of Tanemura Soke’s Gendai Budo and Koryu Bujutsu systems through Shibu-Kai (regional seminars) and Tai-Kai (international seminars). These events offer a rare opportunity to learn directly from a true Japanese grandmaster and his highest level students.