20/06/2025
Are We Bujinkan? Are We Ninjutsu?
The Jukuren Dojo is the continuation as an independent dojo of the Jyukutatsu Dojo, also (formerly) known as Ninjutsu as Taught By Sensei Wayne Roy. Wayne Roy was the first Australian to travel to Japan, and bring back the teachings of the Bujinkan to introduce authentic Bujinkan martial arts (also commonly referred to as "ninjutsu") to Australia in 1981, growing into one of the largest organisations, in fact, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere through the 80's and 90's.
In 2001, however, Wayne Roy resigned from the Bujinkan, and continued to teach his approach under the new name of Jyukutatsu Dojo (School of Self Mastery) for the next decade and a half. In 2016, he then took another step away from the Bujinkan arts, and disbanded the Jyukutatsu Dojo, moving into a focus on a modern self defence approach (which he posts about here on facebook frequently... please check it out!). At that stage, the Melbourne branch was given a couple of options... to remain as a completely independent school, to join (or re-join) one of the larger organisations (Bujinkan, Genbukan, Jinenkan), or to close up. The vote was unanimous; that we should remain an independent school. The name was chosen of Jukuren Dojo, taking the first character from Jyukutatsu, and meaning "the school of mature skills".
Since then, it has been run with a two-fold emphasis; firstly, as a deep study of the traditional material, with a focus on the individual schools and a complete re-working of them aiming to bring them back to the original intent and application; and, secondly, as a continuation of the legacy of Wayne Roy, and his deep insight into cutting edge modern self defence.
So... we're not Bujinkan, although we did originate there. We're not "ninjutsu", as that is only a small part of what we do, although that's not an uncommon term for the arts we study. We're an independent dojo, studying the various schools in a way that is as authentic as possible, while preparing you for the modern world!
