Bujinkan Kanyou-Ryū Dojo Innsbruck

“You must prove your rank.”
宗家Nagato
( April 13th 2024 )

If you understand, you understand.
If you don’t, you don’t.
It’s quite simple.

“It is not a matter of whether the degree ranks have value or not. Any perceived value is totally subjective anyway. Value is in the mind of the beholder. What is important here is to know the facts of just how the degree licenses are given out. It is also true that the time has come for certain people to feel embarrassed if they are satisfied with certificates of rank that were based solely on the premature hopes that those persons would someday develop skills worthy of the title they carry. Many highly-skilled Bujinkan Dōjō instructors are now moving out into the world. A person may claim that he has such-and-such a rank, but I can say that even though the rank is issued under my authority, it cannot be right. After that, it is up to the individual. It is up to his own effort to succeed or fail.
I do not even think about such things as the Bujinkan Dōjō reputation being disgraced because of my actions. The whole world is our training hall, so of course when certain students stumble or fail the whole world will see the Bujinkan tempering process in operation. If critics want to call that a disgrace, there is nothing that I can do about it.”
宗家Hatsumi

In the Bujinkan, rank has never been a single-dimensional measurement. It’s not purely for technical skill and understanding, and it’s not purely symbolic - it’s contextual, relational, deeply personal and often not following conventional norms thus at times, controversial to the misunderstood.

段位は終点ではなく、問いである。
Dan-i wa shūten de wa naku, toi de aru.
“Rank is not an endpoint, but a question.”

Practitioners must come to realise that Rank is not for just one thing - it is given for many things, and not always just for what they want to believe it’s for.

Some examples:

技術の評価 (Gijutsu no hyōka)
– evaluation of technical ability
信頼の証 (Shinrai no akashi)
– a sign of trust
貢献への感謝 (Kōken e no kansha)
– gratitude for contribution
関係性の表現 (Kankeisei no hyōgen)
– expression of relationship
成長の節目 (Seichō no fushime)
– a milestone in one’s path

At times, rank is also given if a teacher falls ill, and is forced to take action quickly for the sake of the Ryûha and lineage’s continuance.

Because of this, no two people with the same rank have necessarily arrived there for the same reasons, but often through very different “currents” along the same river.

Please think well.

南虎

Bujinkan Austria Nagato Taikai 2026. All images are now ready for download. 😄 There are countless great impressions and captured moments to discover. Take your time browsing through them — we are sure you’ll find many special memories worth keeping.

Nagato Taikai Event Pics - Google Drive

Dear everyone,

the Taikai has come to an end. Three incredible days shared with amazing buyu from all around the world.

We are deeply honored that Nagato-Sensei accepted our invitation and came to Austria to share his perspective on budo. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us over these past days—this event would not have been possible without you.

A very special thank you to our amazing team. Your dedication, spirit, and unity carried this event and made it what it was.

Safe travels to all of you. We hope you’re leaving with great memories and a full heart.

Bufu Ikkan!

More impressions to follow!! 😊

Dinner ticket sales for the Nagato Taikai in Austria will close soon. If you plan to attend the dinner, please make sure to purchase your ticket by Sunday, 12th April.

If you already have a dinner ticket, please check whether you have selected your food preference. If not, you can do so here:
https://www.bujinkan-taikai.com/dinner/

We have sent several emails about the dinner over the past three weeks. Please also check your spam folder in case you missed them.

Additionally, we are happy to introduce our live ticker for the event. You can use the link below to stay updated during the Taikai: https://www.bujinkan-taikai.com/live-ticker/

Dinner | 🇦🇹 Nagato Taikai Austria 2026 Dinner Form