the REN DAO Wellness Center Blog

Taijutsu is a Japanese Martial Arts term that is very recognizable today. From the dazzling moves of Rock Lee in the Naruto manga series to the subtle, almost mystical techniques of Dr. Massaki Hatsumi. The term itself today has come to be associated with the ninja arts of the Bujinkan. So what is Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu? The short answer to this question is; Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is the basic body skill (movement) of ninjutsu unarmed combat. Taijutsu is characterized by natural body movement. In other words Taijutsu techniques are based on the way the body moves naturally. Even though Taijutsu is defined as unarmed combat skills, these basic body skills are employed in all of the combat methods taught to students of the Bujinkan, this would include unarmed and armed methods. The definition of Taijutsu sounds fairly simple, but Taijutsu itself is far from simple. Taijutsu properly executed requires precise timing, distancing, and angling, without, the techniques would be ineffective. Proper Taijutsu allows an individual to successfully defeat a larger, faster, stronger enemy with seemingly little effort. “Seemingly” little effort; I will clarify this statement. The effort used to defeat the enemy is little, but the effort to obtain correct Taijutsu is not a small task. This is why I wrote “seemingly little effort”.

The term Taijutsu is not exclusive to the Bujinkan arts, or to Ninjutsu. During the time of the Koryu period martial arts, the term Taijutsu was interchangeable with Jujutsu, specifically denoting the grappling skills of Japanese combat. In the Gendai Budo of today, sometimes you can come across the term Taijutsu used in Aikido as well as some styles of Jujutsu. As taught in the Bujinkan, Taijutsu is comprised of three categories;

• Taihenjutsu – Ukemi (falling/rolling, leaping skills), evasion, and body conditioning
• Dakentaijutsu – Kicking and punching skills
• Jutaijutsu – Throwing, joint locking, attacking pressure point skills

In Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu the basic skills are not just a series of techniques taught to beginners which at some point are transcended. They are the base of which all techniques spring. Without which no technique of the Bujinkan can be properly performed. Keep this clear in your mind as you train. Gambatte Kudasai; please keep going, keep training.

Warren B. Young, Shidoshi - Bujinkan Kyorei Dojo