Masaaki Hatsumi was born on the 2nd December 1931, and is the current Soke (or Grandmaster) of the Bujinkan Organisation based in Noda, Japan. 

Young Hatsumi was 7 years old when he first held his father’s wooden sword and took up training in the martial ways.  That bokken training blade was made of biwa wood, and his father was very proud of it.  That was in the late 1930’s and that day became the inspiration of his martial arts life.  As a young boy growing up he deeply involved himself in training in the martial arts of Japan.  It was his love and passion.  He studied everything he could, Judo, Kendo, Karate, Aikido, Okinawan Karate (Zen-Bei Butokukai) and Jukendo (rifle and bayonet combat).  By the time he was 20 years old he had obtained the rank of 4th degree black belt in Judo.  In 1951 this was a very high rank and rare for such a young student of the arts. This proves his dedication and perseverance since he tested against those much older and bigger than he.  He found Judo to be sport oriented.

After the war years he took a break from martial arts for awhile.  During his late teenage years he trained in western style boxing, continued playing soccer, and worked hard at his academic studies.  Missing the dojo world of training he so loved and immersed himself into as a youth, he again returned to martial arts. He kept looking for something; he was not sure what it was but it seemed to be missing.

Eventually (1957) he found himself at the door step of a man who would change his life and someday renew the world of martial arts, Master Toshitsugu Takamatsu, the last of the true Ninja.  Master Takamatsu took him under his wing for the last 15 years of his life, taught him the Nine secret traditions and passed them on to him as the sole heir.

• Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu: Hidden Door School

• Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu: Hiding in the Clouds School

• Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu: Jewelled Heart School

• Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu: Immovable Heart School

• Kukishinden Ryu Happo Bikenjutsu: Nine Demons School

• Takagiyoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu: High Tree, Raised Heart School

• Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu: Jeweled Tiger School

• Koto Ryu Koppojutsu: Tiger Knocking Down School

• Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu: Truth Loyalty and Justice School