Highland Ninja
Yellow Belt
Before I start my question, I have a request. Puh-lease...let's not let this descend into a kan vs. kan or SKH vs. Bujinkan thread. I've seen enough of those to make my head spin and my eyes bleed.
My question comes up because I am re-joining the Bujinkan after a long absence (started training in the early 80's, stopped in the very late 80's, starting up again now). I've looked at the various x-kans, decided to stick with Soke Hatsumi, and that's that.
However, every organization has its issues. And Bujinkan seems to have some issues concerning people doing the same things differently (ie your ichimonji no kamae does not look like mine, etc). I do want to learn the various ryu Soke is teaching, and learn them properly.
So my question is this. I've heard that Manaka (Genbukan) teaches the techniques in a very regimented, strict and exacting manner compared to many of the Bujinkan instructors. Is it possible to cross train between Bujinkan and Genbukan and not have problems? In other words, train in Bujinkan to develop the "feeling" and flow that Soke emphasizes, but also train in Genbukan in order to develop very correct basics and exact, correct movement according to each ryu? Or would that cause problems by going in two different directions, even though both are teaching essentially the same art(s)?
Or is that even an issue? Are there instructors out there (in Bujinkan) who are doing things exactly as taught via Soke and the various shihan? It appears that James Morganelli in Chicago is highly recommended based on talking to a few people elsewhere. Perhaps there is no need to cross training to get to where I want to be? Is it possible to train in Bujinkan and get taught the techniques the same way Soke does them (ie correctly)?
Also, from a political viewpoint (and please, let's not let this get flamey, just a yes or no)...would cross training in that manner offend some of the Japanese shihan and other high ranking students of Soke and/or Soke himself? I'm still unclear as to how that situation stands. (A private message to answer that part might well be the best way to go, now that I think about it.)
As I said, I'm not into airing dirty laundry and I'm saddened that some of the shihan under Soke have split off under unfriendly circumstances, but I'm not trying to judge anyone. However, since I am mainly committed to studying in the Bujinkan under Soke, obviously I'd be wise to avoid doing anything that would offend him or the teachers in his system. I've read a lot of the "kan wars" online, but frankly they make my head spin because they always descend into flame wars and I can never read far enough into them to get a straight answer (it makes my head hurt).
Finally, for the record I would not be training in Toshindo as I have my own issues with SKH. Also, I assume I would not train in Jinenkan because from what I understand, that was an unfriendly split and I assume there would be friction there. But I thought the split with Manaka was friendly and that cross training in Genbukan might be a workable option.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
My question comes up because I am re-joining the Bujinkan after a long absence (started training in the early 80's, stopped in the very late 80's, starting up again now). I've looked at the various x-kans, decided to stick with Soke Hatsumi, and that's that.
However, every organization has its issues. And Bujinkan seems to have some issues concerning people doing the same things differently (ie your ichimonji no kamae does not look like mine, etc). I do want to learn the various ryu Soke is teaching, and learn them properly.
So my question is this. I've heard that Manaka (Genbukan) teaches the techniques in a very regimented, strict and exacting manner compared to many of the Bujinkan instructors. Is it possible to cross train between Bujinkan and Genbukan and not have problems? In other words, train in Bujinkan to develop the "feeling" and flow that Soke emphasizes, but also train in Genbukan in order to develop very correct basics and exact, correct movement according to each ryu? Or would that cause problems by going in two different directions, even though both are teaching essentially the same art(s)?
Or is that even an issue? Are there instructors out there (in Bujinkan) who are doing things exactly as taught via Soke and the various shihan? It appears that James Morganelli in Chicago is highly recommended based on talking to a few people elsewhere. Perhaps there is no need to cross training to get to where I want to be? Is it possible to train in Bujinkan and get taught the techniques the same way Soke does them (ie correctly)?
Also, from a political viewpoint (and please, let's not let this get flamey, just a yes or no)...would cross training in that manner offend some of the Japanese shihan and other high ranking students of Soke and/or Soke himself? I'm still unclear as to how that situation stands. (A private message to answer that part might well be the best way to go, now that I think about it.)
As I said, I'm not into airing dirty laundry and I'm saddened that some of the shihan under Soke have split off under unfriendly circumstances, but I'm not trying to judge anyone. However, since I am mainly committed to studying in the Bujinkan under Soke, obviously I'd be wise to avoid doing anything that would offend him or the teachers in his system. I've read a lot of the "kan wars" online, but frankly they make my head spin because they always descend into flame wars and I can never read far enough into them to get a straight answer (it makes my head hurt).
Finally, for the record I would not be training in Toshindo as I have my own issues with SKH. Also, I assume I would not train in Jinenkan because from what I understand, that was an unfriendly split and I assume there would be friction there. But I thought the split with Manaka was friendly and that cross training in Genbukan might be a workable option.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
