18/03/2026
The Bujinkan Dōjō ranking system is largely misunderstood by the greater martial arts community.
Firstly, the system cannot be compared to more mainstream approaches used by Karate,Judo,Aikido etc, as it is not the same, even though it still is a Kyu / Dan process.
This is the greatest mistake other martial arts practitioners make as they blindly compare the system to their own. Maybe it is better for people to view the Bujinkan grading system from a ‘humanitarian’ perspective over only ‘martial skill development.’
“You will never become a Meijin ( martial arts master ) but you can become a Tatsujin ( completed / fully awakened human being ).”
- Takamatsu to Hatsumi
This statement from Takamatsu sensei to Hatsumi sensei may be indicative of how Hatsumi approaches ranking in the Bujinkan.
Rather than merely focusing on martial skill development to become masterful practitioners in the martial arts, students are given ranks for their present efforts and encouragement toward evolving further as better, more accomplished and awakened human beings.
When this is truly understood, then true growth with humility can begin. If students fail to grasp this essence, than they will demonstrate clearly their lack of understanding and create embarrassment for themselves and the Dōjō.
This is not the fault of Hatsumi sensei, but the immaturity an ignorance of those who try to follow the Bujinkan. It’s a tempering process that demonstrates over time that quite naturally, some people will develop correctly while others will not. This is where Hatsumi sensei stressed that students of Budô must have the ‘eyes of discernment’ to be able to see through the falsities or traps along the path to ensure they stay balanced along the stoney road.
People talk about the lack of ‘quality control’ in the Bujinkan. This mindset is caught up with more mainstream approaches. As I said, the Bujinkan follows its own path. If students do not catch the Bufu ( martial wind ) they will become lost in a void and be unable to see the right way. This is often due to ego, as they are unable to go beyond their own desires to follow a greater process than their own. 自然行雲流水 Shizen Gyōun Ryūsui is the natural movements of drifting clouds and flowing water. Each generate their power through a greater strength - the universe. Thus their strength and beauty is generated from something more superior. In order to live as a martial artist of the Bujinkan, one must allow 神Kami to show them the way.
Bujinkan Dōjō Jugodan
武神館道場十五段
In feudal times in Japan, turning 15 years of age was a rite of passage to adulthood. A samurai boy was no longer considered a child and seen as a person of maturity who had survived the fragility of childhood. We need to remember that life expectancy was shorter in these times and thus the tradition of ShichiGoSan 七五三 ( 7,5,3 day ) was also celebrated.
The samurai boy prior to this age of 15 would carry Daishô ( long and short swords ) with real Koshirae ( fittings ) as a symbol of his Bushi status. However, the blades were not steel, but thin balsa wood.
Upon turning 15yrs of age, the wooden blades were changed to Shinken ( live steel blades ) to signify entering into adulthood.
Sôke Hatsumi said he created the 15 dan levels of the Bujinkan Dōjō with the same concept in mind. 15th dan is representative of a student having come of age in their study of Budô. Reaching the level of 15th dan doesn't mean one has become a master. The Jugodan ( 15th dan ) means one is a 15yr old samurai boy, simply recognising having 'survived' up to this point in time and an invitation/initiation to move forward and deepen ones study of the art to greater levels of maturity.
The ranking system of the Bujinkan Dōjō may be better observed through the lenses of a practitioner of Life and not just the martial arts.
🥋Kyu ranks = yet to be thought of by your parents/teacher.
🥋Shodan = s***m
🥋Godan = born
🥋Judan = puberty
🥋Ju Kugyo = 15yr old child ( in samurai culture a rite of passage to young adulthood, receiving live blades and now able to go into battle/live one’s own.
For Bujinkan practitioners and those of other arts who misunderstand and/or compare their ranking system to Hatsumi Sensei’s, I hope this helps clarify what these levels of achievement in the Bujinkan Dōjō truly mean.
南虎
