Welcome to the Pittsburgh Bujinkan Taka Seigi Dojo. We have been teaching traditional Japanese Samurai Martial Arts for over 20 years in the Pittsburgh Area. This means you get a rare chance to not only learn practical self defense to protect yourself and others, but it also means you get to experience the rich culture and history of Authentic Japanese Martial Arts and everything it has to offer. Start your journey today ..read more

The role of Uke is a critical one in the Bujinkan and it has several layers to it.  At it’s base level, being an Uke is all about experiencing an technique.  One of the best ways to understand something is to have it done to you, or to “receive it”.  Our art is alive and being an Uke is one of the areas where you experience first hand how alive it really is.  On another level, being an Uke is all about being a good training partner for your partner/Tori.  We practice specific attacks with proper resistance so they have the opportunity to learn and grow.  Too little resistance and they get a fa ..read more

“In budo, too, there are three important essentials:  first, seeing and knowing oneself, one’s own strengths and limitations; second, the sword of discrimination, of decisiveness, for eliminating faults, weaknesses, and the unnecessary;  and last, the sincerity, feeling, devotion, insight, and understanding of the heart.” – Soke Hatsumi ..read more

“Forget your sadness, anger, grudges, and hatred. Let them pass like smoke caught in the breeze. You should not deviate from the path of righteousness; you should lead a life worthy of a man. Don’t be possessed by greed, luxury, or your ego.  You should accept sorrows, sadness and hatred as they are, and consider them a chance for trial given to you by the powers… a blessing given by nature. Have both your mind and your time fully engaged in budo, and have your mind deeply set on bujutsu.”  Soke Masaaki Hatsumi ..read more

KOFUKU NO SHIORI “The way to experience ultimate happiness is to let go of all worries and regrets and know that being happy is the most satisfying of life´s feelings. Reflect back on all the progress in your life and allow the positive, creative and joyous thoughts to outshine and overwhelm any sorrow or grief [bitterness] that may be lingering there in the recesses of your mind. Knowing that disease and disaster are a natural part of life, the key to overcoming adversity is with a calm and happy spirit. Happiness is waiting there in front of you. Only you can decide whether or not you choos ..read more

Banpen Fukyo (Fugyo) “10,000 changes, no surprises” We talked about this in class last night.  The discussion focused on the feeling of being “centered” or in your own bubble and not allowing outside influences startle or change you.  Although not a fan of the “foo foo” mystical martial arts terms that folks throw around like State of Zero, or whatever, I do believe in the idea of being centered in yourself.  Only things that enter your orbit and require a response are the ones that warrant a response.  This is a very difficult state to enter, much less maintain in today’s modern society, howe ..read more

On Saturday, we explored the next Waza in the Jo Ryaku No Maki level of Gyokko Ryu – Renyo. We looked at 6 (Six!) different sources of material for descriptions of the base/core waza, including 3 from the Boss himself. We tore apart the notes, read them, re-read them, did our best to interpret what we were reading, and identified what we felt was working (and perhaps not working). We did inside, outside angle versions. We moved the timing of some of the elements around vs what was in the Waza description, and we tried variations as seen and recorded by various teachers over the years. One of ..read more

Everything is Sakizuke. “The award of rank before actual attainment of skill and understanding.” The ranks in the Bujinkan are for the heart. Those with the right heart will accept rank from their teacher without question. Students having a feeling of discomfort or inadequacy for their new rank ( which should be everyone ) will then go away and train hard until they become worthy of the grade. This is understanding Sakizuke and the correct feeling to have when dealing with the grades of the Bujinkan Dojo.  Sakizuke 先附 or ..read more

“Shoshin (初心) is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning “beginner’s mind.” It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.”  Bujinkan Life Dojo Facebook post Even after 33 years in the martial arts, I still approach any subject with open eyes and an open mind.  Learning never stops.  The basics are not something you do once and forget about.  There are layers upon layers of understanding within our basics, and each new day brings new eyes to see what you did not see before ..read more