What Is Martial Arts ? Bujinkan Ninjutsu DVD

What Is Martial Arts? – Masaaki Hatsumi Bujinkan DVD

Explore Masaaki Hatsumi’s teachings on the essential difference between competitive fighting sports and traditional Japanese Budo.

What Is This Bujinkan DVD About?

What Is Martial Arts? (武道とは何か？, Budō to wa nanika?) is Volume 5 of the Bujinkan DVD Series featuring Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭).

Throughout this program, Hatsumi examines the meaning and essence of Budō by comparing traditional martial arts with rule-based competitive fighting sports. The DVD explores how martial principles must adapt when there is no fixed ring, predetermined distance or sporting rule set.

A central theme is the ability to create and control space rather than remaining confined by a fixed position. Hatsumi demonstrates how posture, distance, movement, awareness and the appropriate use of the body or training weapons must remain adaptable to changing circumstances.

The program combines interviews, philosophical explanations and practical demonstrations. It is especially valuable for practitioners interested in Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, traditional Japanese martial arts and the deeper strategic meaning of Budō.

Main Themes and Training Principles

• The meaning of Japanese Budō
• The distinction between combat sports and traditional martial arts
• Movement beyond the restrictions of a ring or fixed rules
• Creating and controlling space during an encounter
• Adapting posture and distance to changing circumstances
• Natural body movement and strategic positioning
• Hajutsu Kyujo principles and practical applications
• Hand releases, body escapes, kicking methods and striking disruption
• Applied Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu demonstrations

Complete DVD Program

Hajutsu Kyujo – Nine Martial Principles

The technical section introduces Hajutsu Kyujo (破術九条), a sequence of nine traditional principles involving releases, body movement, disruption and striking applications.

Why Add This DVD to Your Martial Arts Collection?

• Features direct explanations and demonstrations by Masaaki Hatsumi
• Combines martial philosophy with practical technical instruction
• Explores the difference between sporting competition and Japanese Budō
• Introduces all nine Hajutsu Kyujo principles
• Includes applied techniques and natural body movement
• Provides English subtitles for international practitioners
• Original physical DVD manufactured in Japan
• Useful reference for students, instructors and martial arts collectors

DVD Specifications

Recommended For

• Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu and Ninjutsu practitioners
• Students interested in Japanese martial philosophy
• Martial artists studying distance, timing and spatial control
• Instructors researching traditional training principles
• Practitioners comparing competitive fighting with classical Budō
• Collectors of original Japanese martial arts DVDs
• Students of Masaaki Hatsumi’s teachings and demonstrations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the What Is Martial Arts? DVD teach?

It presents Masaaki Hatsumi’s explanation of the meaning and essence of Budō, the distinction he draws between competitive fighting sports and traditional martial arts, and practical principles involving movement, space, releases, kicks and striking disruption.

Which techniques are included?

The technical program includes Te Hodoki, Tai Hodoki, Oya Goroshi, Ko Goroshi, Koshi Kudaki, Happo Geri, two Keri Kudaki sections, Ken Kudaki and additional applied techniques.

Does this DVD include English subtitles?

Yes. The original spoken language is Japanese and English subtitles are included.

Can the DVD be played outside Japan?

The disc is marked Region ALL. However, it uses the NTSC video system, so your DVD player, computer or television must support NTSC playback.

Is this a physical DVD or a digital download?

This listing is for a physical DVD Video manufactured in Japan. It is not a Blu-ray disc, streaming subscription or digital download.

Is this DVD suitable for beginners?

Beginners can use it as an introduction to Budō philosophy and Bujinkan movement principles. Experienced practitioners and instructors may also use it as a reference for deeper technical and strategic study.

Can this DVD replace training with an instructor?

No. The DVD is supplementary educational material. Martial techniques should be practiced safely, progressively and under appropriate supervision.

Safety notice: Martial arts techniques may cause injury when practiced incorrectly. Train responsibly, progress gradually and use appropriate supervision and protective equipment. The traditional technique names shown above are reproduced for identification and educational reference.