Chris Parker
Grandmaster
Absolutely agreed, Bruno. All I meant was that Hatsumi Sensei was the only one recognised as head of these arts by the Japanese Government as far as I know (if Tanemura Sensei or Manaka Sensei have been given similar status I am unaware of it, but I would be far from surprised - particularly Tanemura Sensei).
There is no question of their legitimacy at all. Just who the Japanese government chooses to acknowledge as the head of the systems. But as Hatsumi was the only one mentioned, he was the only one I was addressing. Each of the gentlemen mentioned are incredibly skilled, highly respected teachers of the arts, and I mean no slur on any of them.
As for whether or not to avoid Van Donk Shihan, all I would say is that if your only way to learn is via a home training system, it is one of the easiest to follow, but is still never a recommendation. As Bruno said, these are always best used as suppliments to a real teacher. Van Donk Shihan certainly has his detractors as well as his fans, I am keeping my personal views back at this point, as I am not a member of the Bujinkan, and it is more proper for their own members to let you know how well he represents them.
There is no question of their legitimacy at all. Just who the Japanese government chooses to acknowledge as the head of the systems. But as Hatsumi was the only one mentioned, he was the only one I was addressing. Each of the gentlemen mentioned are incredibly skilled, highly respected teachers of the arts, and I mean no slur on any of them.
As for whether or not to avoid Van Donk Shihan, all I would say is that if your only way to learn is via a home training system, it is one of the easiest to follow, but is still never a recommendation. As Bruno said, these are always best used as suppliments to a real teacher. Van Donk Shihan certainly has his detractors as well as his fans, I am keeping my personal views back at this point, as I am not a member of the Bujinkan, and it is more proper for their own members to let you know how well he represents them.
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