Soke

In Japanese martial arts, the head of a style is known as Soke. Soke of the Bujinkan is Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.

As a child Hatsumi practiced kendo with his father. In addition, he also trained Karate, Aikido and Judo. At school he also learned boxing. Hatsumi was disappointed that all of these styles of fighting very much depended on sheer strength and the size of the athlete. He therefore searched for a “true” martial art. After three years of learning Kobudo, he met Takamatsu Toshitsugu. He became his student for the next 15 years. Shortly before his death Takamastu declared him his successor, and bequeathed him the title Grandmaster of all nine schools.

Hatsumi studied theatre arts and medicine at the Meiji University and worked as a chiropractor for many years. He earned international reputation as a consultant to military and the security services, as well as in the artistic field. He has received high awards from many different countries, including for his commitment to international understanding. Today he still teaches students from around the world in his Honbu Dojo near Tokyo.