Budo taijutsu is a martial art that encompasses nine different schools of ancient Japanese warrior traditions, six of which are samurai-based and three of which are ninja-based12 The schools are collectively known as Bujinkan, and are headed by Masaaki Hatsumi, who is the current grandmaster of all nine schools

The nine schools are:

• Togakure Ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (Hidden Door School)

• Gyokushin Ryū Ninpō (Jade Heart School)

• Kumogakure Ryū Ninpō (Hidden Cloud School)

• Kotō Ryū Koppō jutsu (Tiger Knocking Down School)

• Gyokko Ryū Kosshi jutsu (Jeweled Tiger School)

• Kuki Shinden Ryū Happō Bikenjutsu (Nine Demons Divine Transmission School)

• Shinden Fudo Ryū Dakentai jutsu (Immovable Heart School)

• Takagi Yoshin Ryū Jūtai jutsu (High Tree Raised Heart School)

• Gikan Ryū Koppō jutsu (Truth, Loyalty and Justice School)

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Each school has its own history, techniques, and principles, but they share a common philosophy of budo, or the martial way. Budo taijutsu is not a sport or a competition, but a way of self-defense and self-improvement that aims to harmonize with nature and oneself