The Last Ninja - Bujinkan TaiKai USA

Starring:Last Ninja- Bujinkan Taikai
Studio: WIN
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Masaaki Hatsumi - The Last Ninja

In August of 2003, 72 year-old Masaaki Hatsumi, the GrandMaster of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, left his home in Japan and came to the United States to demonstrate the true art of the ancient Japanese Ninja. Hatsumi's system is called "Bujinkan" and contains elements of classic combat martial arts, as well as, the mysterious art of Ninjutsu.

This DVD contains the incredible techniques and fighting style of the Ninja, including esoteric weaponry and hand to hand fighting. Hatsumi's teaching style is very conversational and gives insight into the warrior life philosophy of, perhaps, the most mysterious guerilla fighters who ever lived.

Now at an advanced aged, but still remarkable strong and agile due to decades of his Ninja training, Hatsumi has said that he will never teach again outside of Japan. His retirement from international instruction is the end of an era.

Description

Masaaki Hatsumi - The Last Ninja

Masaaki Hatsumi is truly "The Last Ninja."

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Wonderful.......2006-05-08

Soke Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is absolutely wonderful. The 3 disc DVD jumps right in and starts combat. I say combat instead of teaching because in one part of the video Dr. Hatsumi states, "This is a place of war, not a school." Being that I love Ninjutsu, I really gained a lot from this Tai Kai. Soke Hatsumi's way of saying be creative with techniques and "be free" really helps. I always feel if I change the technique I will be doing something wrong but Soke teaches that is exactly what to do. Warring and Wisdom - I would absolutely recommend this DVD.

feeling.......2006-03-08

This dvd was very helpful to my training. For those who are familiar with Soke Hatsumi's work,they can now see it in action, and try to understand the feeling he conveys with his artform. It is a must have for students of ninjutsu.

Nothing but a DVD recording of Documentary & Training Seminar.........2006-03-02

This is nothing but a 3 DVD disks recording of a Documentary and training seminary on Ninjutsu. Each disk last about 1 half hour. Those giving 5 stars are probably participants themselves helping in promoting this DVD. Buy ONLY if you want to see GrandMaster Masaaki Hatsumi.
I fast forward in between viewing 'cos it can be quite boring. So don't waste your money.I bought this DVD is b'cos of the many reviews that I read. So,don't trust reviews, including mine. It's your choice and your taste. Credits must given to the clear picture. Warning, there's no Chapters selection in all 3 DVDs.

Documentary and training tips.......2004-12-28

Like most of what Hatsumi teaches, this dvd represents a combination of traditional and modern martial applications. I would say that this taikai is actually more geared to the traditional side, not that there isn't a cross-over application to modern situations.

I would heartily agree with everything the other reviewers have said about the training session. Unlike Hatsumi's Quest series, this taikai has poorer sound quality and lighting. Even so, the translation is actually the best possible (Ben Jones is amazing) and helps make up for what is otherwise lacking in on the produciton end. The camera work is well done.

As for the claim that this is the best dvd, not hardly. Nearly all of the other Quest-produced taikais are much much better.
I would also say that if you are intersted in ninjutsu or bujinkan or Hatsumi, then you should do yourself a favor and check out Systema, a Russian system that is gaining more critical attention in recent years that also follows the same themes of the Bujinkan approach (lack of formality and emphasis on natural responeses and multiple attacks).

My one criticism of bujinkan in general is that they do not know how to deleiver power, and thus do not know how to receive power. This is not true of everyone in the style. Who would tell Nagato or Hatsumi that they can't deal with a real situation? Of course they can. But in general, it is easy to see that the lagre, typically Japanese, stances are not practical for jissen gata, real life fighting. I am all for cooperative training, a hallmark Bujinkan practice, but falling onto one another or sloppily punching and hanging you kicks out doesn't help much if that is all you do. Of course not all of them do this, but the bujinkan members that I have trained with were both 4th degrees, one of whom couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag and is now a godan. Again, not all bujinakn is this way. Stephen Hayes, one of Hatsumi's top students, has noted this and adjusted his teaching to be more practical. One can only wish that Hatsumi's students, especially the American ones, would do likewise. Do you ever see Hatsumi or Nagato use such positions? Not often.

THis is not to say that Bujinkan isn't a great organization or that they are weak. I have great respect for them. I only mean to point this out for potential students. So if you have a bujinkan friend, give them a makiwara in a small room. More power with smaller, balanced stances.

Please check out the Quest dvds and videos of Hatsumi. They are fantastic! But also check out Vladimir Vasiliev for a pleasant surprise.

A little piece of history..........2004-03-14

This DVD is a great value & I am glad I made the purchase.

You don't find too many training videos at this quality and at such a resonable price. The video has no fluff. It is all quality training footage. Which to me is important when choosing training aids.

It is always great to see Hatsumi Sensei in action. His movement & martial skill is impressive as always. Everything he does appears effortless & his years of training shine through on this DVD.

The 2003 U.S. Tai Kai was particularly special because it was the last Tai Kai being done outside of Japan. So for me, it is like having a little piece of martial arts history.

I have to say, Great job! to those who put this DVD together to chronicle the event. For those of us that weren't able to be there in person we now have the next best thing.

Description

Masaaki Hatsumi - The Last Ninja In August of 2003, 72 year-old Masaaki Hatsumi, the GrandMaster of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, left his home in Japan and came to the United States to demonstrate the true art of the ancient Japanese Ninja. Hatsumi's system is called "Bujinkan" and contains elements of classic combat martial arts, as well as, the mysterious art of Ninjutsu. This DVD contains the incredible techniques and fighting style of the Ninja, including esoteric weaponry and hand to hand fighting. Hatsumi's teaching style is very conversational and gives insight into the warrior life philosophy of, perhaps, the most mysterious guerilla fighters who ever lived. Now at an advanced aged, but still remarkable strong and agile due to decades of his Ninja training, Hatsumi has said that he will never teach again outside of Japan. His retirement from international instruction is the end of an era. Masaaki Hatsumi is truly "The Last Ninja."

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