As a service to the online Bujinkan community, I have decided to provide a list of the hidden gems of the Bujinkan. These individuals are, in general, relatively or completely unknown to the larger Bujinkan community. Some individuals that I thought everyone would know got me blank stares when I mentioned their names in conversations. Thus the list
.
Despite their lack of brand name, they hold some of the largest pieces of the Bujinkan puzzle within them, in my opinion.
Note: This list *ONLY* contains individuals whose budo I, bencole, *PERSONALLY* have assessed. I shall continue to add names to the list as I come across individuals who bring something special to the table. This list most certainly is incomplete, but it will only include the best of the best.
This list will never become politicized; it will remain blunt and honest. As evidence, I have even included a few people who I personally do not like. Whether I like them or not does not change the fact that their budo is good, and that they understand Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu as Hatsumi-sensei teaches.
I highly recommend that people seek these individuals out, either by visiting their dojo or by inviting them out for a seminar.
HIDDEN GEMS OF THE BUJINKAN
compiled by Benjamin Cole
UNITED STATES
Michael Asuncion Michigan Moves identically to Nagase-sensei. Best timing that Ive ever seen!
Bill Atkins Northern California Frighteningly good!
Chris Carbonaro New Jersey Started his training in Japan with Kamioka-sensei, then went on to train with Nagato-sensei and Hatsumi-sensei. Very solid movement.
Dale Seago Northern California Spooky movement! His job is to keep others alive, not just himself.
Aric Keith Washington/Oregon border Solid, solid Budo.
Oliver Martin New York City Moves identically to Nagato-sensei. Uncanny!!! Solid budo.
Luke Molitor Texas The only Shidoshi qualified to teach Bujinkan sword in the U.S., in my opinion. Personal student of three Shihan : Nagato-sensei, Nagase-sensei, and Someya-sensei.
Jeff Mueller Maryland Hands down, best ukemi in the United States! Wow!
Daniel Weidman Southern California Solid Budo and a superb athlete!
JAPAN-BASED
Bruce Appleby Japan/UK Small and light, but very solid Budo. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Robin Doenicke Japan/Australia Tall, but light. Great footwork/legwork!
Shawn Gray Japan/Canada Movement looking more and more like Shiraishi-sensei every day.
Larry Hamilton Japan/US Deep knowledge of both Budo and Japanese.
Rod Hodgkins Japan/Australia Big as a bear; light as a feather.
Paul Masse Japan/US Wow!!! Best foreigner in Japan, imo.
Craig Olson Japan/Canada Solid budo. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Rob Renner Japan/US Really unique insights not normally explored by other instructors.
Doug Wilson Japan/US Solid budo. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Pete Reynolds – Japan/US – Everyone should take Petes basics seminar. Terrific insights into Sokes movement.
EUROPE
Andrew Young Scandinavia somewhere If it is frustrating, it is because you are learning something new. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Renan Perpina Spain Light as a feather, but packs a big punch!
Sveneric Bogsater Sweden Frighteningly good!
Arnaud Cousergue France Frighteningly good!
Lubos Pokorny Czech Republic Frighteningly good!
OCEANIA
Greg Alcorn Australia Solid Budo.
Tim Bathurst Australia Solid Budo. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Ed Lomax Australia Solid Budo.
LATIN AMERICA
Rafael Franco – Venezuela – One of the best practitioners in the world, imo. Wonderful combination of creativity and realness without introducing holes into his movement.
You would be wise to train with any of these individuals
and then *PRACTICE* what they teach you, rather than going back to what you do normally.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 at 6:07 pm and is filed under 2011, Commentary, Gems of the Bujinkan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Hidden Gems of the Bujinkan
As a service to the online Bujinkan community, I have decided to provide a list of the hidden gems of the Bujinkan. These individuals are, in general, relatively or completely unknown to the larger Bujinkan community. Some individuals that I thought everyone would know got me blank stares when I mentioned their names in conversations. Thus the list .
Despite their lack of brand name, they hold some of the largest pieces of the Bujinkan puzzle within them, in my opinion.
Note: This list *ONLY* contains individuals whose budo I, bencole, *PERSONALLY* have assessed. I shall continue to add names to the list as I come across individuals who bring something special to the table. This list most certainly is incomplete, but it will only include the best of the best.
This list will never become politicized; it will remain blunt and honest. As evidence, I have even included a few people who I personally do not like. Whether I like them or not does not change the fact that their budo is good, and that they understand Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu as Hatsumi-sensei teaches.
I highly recommend that people seek these individuals out, either by visiting their dojo or by inviting them out for a seminar.
HIDDEN GEMS OF THE BUJINKAN
compiled by Benjamin Cole
UNITED STATES
Michael Asuncion Michigan Moves identically to Nagase-sensei. Best timing that Ive ever seen!
Bill Atkins Northern California Frighteningly good!
Chris Carbonaro New Jersey Started his training in Japan with Kamioka-sensei, then went on to train with Nagato-sensei and Hatsumi-sensei. Very solid movement.
Dale Seago Northern California Spooky movement! His job is to keep others alive, not just himself.
Aric Keith Washington/Oregon border Solid, solid Budo.
Oliver Martin New York City Moves identically to Nagato-sensei. Uncanny!!! Solid budo.
Luke Molitor Texas The only Shidoshi qualified to teach Bujinkan sword in the U.S., in my opinion. Personal student of three Shihan : Nagato-sensei, Nagase-sensei, and Someya-sensei.
Jeff Mueller Maryland Hands down, best ukemi in the United States! Wow!
Daniel Weidman Southern California Solid Budo and a superb athlete!
JAPAN-BASED
Bruce Appleby Japan/UK Small and light, but very solid Budo. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Robin Doenicke Japan/Australia Tall, but light. Great footwork/legwork!
Shawn Gray Japan/Canada Movement looking more and more like Shiraishi-sensei every day.
Larry Hamilton Japan/US Deep knowledge of both Budo and Japanese.
Rod Hodgkins Japan/Australia Big as a bear; light as a feather.
Paul Masse Japan/US Wow!!! Best foreigner in Japan, imo.
Craig Olson Japan/Canada Solid budo. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Rob Renner Japan/US Really unique insights not normally explored by other instructors.
Doug Wilson Japan/US Solid budo. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Pete Reynolds – Japan/US – Everyone should take Petes basics seminar. Terrific insights into Sokes movement.
EUROPE
Andrew Young Scandinavia somewhere If it is frustrating, it is because you are learning something new. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Renan Perpina Spain Light as a feather, but packs a big punch!
Sveneric Bogsater Sweden Frighteningly good!
Arnaud Cousergue France Frighteningly good!
Lubos Pokorny Czech Republic Frighteningly good!
OCEANIA
Greg Alcorn Australia Solid Budo.
Tim Bathurst Australia Solid Budo. Extensive translation experience at Hombu.
Ed Lomax Australia Solid Budo.
LATIN AMERICA
Rafael Franco – Venezuela – One of the best practitioners in the world, imo. Wonderful combination of creativity and realness without introducing holes into his movement.
You would be wise to train with any of these individuals and then *PRACTICE* what they teach you, rather than going back to what you do normally.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 at 6:07 pm and is filed under 2011, Commentary, Gems of the Bujinkan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.