Product Details

• Actors: Masaaki Hatsumi, Jack Hoban
• Directors: Mark Hodel
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: WIN
• DVD Release Date: February 2, 2004
• Run Time: 360 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001F2U5C
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,027 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

About the Actor

Blackbelt magazine’s 1986 Instructor of the Year, Dr. Hatsumi is best known for "opening the doors" to Ninjutsu to non-Japanese. As GrandMaster of the Bujinkan Dojo, Dr. Hatsumi actively travels the world to share the teachings of Budo Taijutsu as passed to him by his teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Until 2003, Dr. Hatsumi held two annual international Taikai (gatherings) for training, usually alternating between Europe and the United States. This DVD represents the last of these events.

Dr. Hatsumi founded the Bujinkan, which means "Divine Warrior Hall," in honor of his teacher, Toshitugu Takamatsu. The nine warrior schools of the Bujinkan hail from the ancient battlefields of Japan; six are old samurai schools, the remaining three are schools of the oft-misunderstood Ninja.

These historical roots provide a mine of rich teachings that are equally applicable to modern situations. Dr. Hatsumi teaches the importance of understanding the principles underlying techniques, not just the mechanics—things that will serve the greatest benefit in the flurry of a real fight.

This practicality is the Bujinkan’s biggest draw for tens of thousands of practitioners around the world, many of whom are involved with law enforcement or personal security. Dr. Hatsumi, a former bone-setter, has penned over a dozen books, and is the former chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan.

Among Dr. Hatsumi’s other many honors are the title of Knighthood from Germany, Honorary Doctorate degrees in both Human Sciences and Philosophy, Honorary Texas Ranger, and numerous Honorable Citizenship awards from locales as close as Los Angeles, California to as far as Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Hatsumi’s work has also been recognized by numerous government and law enforcement officials, such as the FBI and the NSA. Dr. Hatsumi holds black belts in several arts, including judo, karate, kendo, aikido and jojutsu, and has studied such western arts as boxing.

He is grandmaster of the following nine schools of the Bujinkan: Togakure Ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken, 34th Grandmaster; Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu Happo Hiken, 28th Grandmaster; Koto Ryu Koppojutsu Happo Hiken, 18th Grandmaster; Shinden Fudo Ryu Dakken Taijutsu Happo Hiken, 26th Grandmaster; Kukishinden Ryu Taijutsu Happo Hiken, 28th Grandmaster; Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu Happo Hiken, 17th Grandmaster; Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken, 14th Grandmaster; Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo Happo Hiken, 21st Grandmaster; and Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu Happo Hiken, 15th Grandmaster.

Product Description

Masaaki Hatsumi - The Last Ninja

In August of 2003, 72 year-old Masaaki Hatsumi, the GrandMaster of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, left his home in Japan and came to the United States to demonstrate the true art of the ancient Japanese Ninja. Hatsumi’s system is called "Bujinkan" and contains elements of classic combat martial arts, as well as, the mysterious art of Ninjutsu.

This DVD contains the incredible techniques and fighting style of the Ninja, including esoteric weaponry and hand to hand fighting. Hatsumi’s teaching style is very conversational and gives insight into the warrior life philosophy of, perhaps, the most mysterious guerilla fighters who ever lived.

Now at an advanced aged, but still remarkable strong and agile due to decades of his Ninja training, Hatsumi has said that he will never teach again outside of Japan. His retirement from international instruction is the end of an era.

Masaaki Hatsumi is truly "The Last Ninja."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little piece of history..., March 13, 2004

By 

Norm (Kenosha, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Ninja - Bujinkan TaiKai USA (DVD)

This DVD is a great value & I am glad I made the purchase.

You don't find too many training videos at this quality and at such a resonable price. The video has no fluff. It is all quality training footage. Which to me is important when choosing training aids.

It is always great to see Hatsumi Sensei in action. His movement & martial skill is impressive as always. Everything he does appears effortless & his years of training shine through on this DVD.

The 2003 U.S. Tai Kai was particularly special because it was the last Tai Kai being done outside of Japan. So for me, it is like having a little piece of martial arts history.

I have to say, Great job! to those who put this DVD together to chronicle the event. For those of us that weren't able to be there in person we now have the next best thing.

Thanks again!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful, May 7, 2006

By 

Ian (Royal Oak, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Last Ninja - Bujinkan TaiKai USA (DVD)

Soke Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is absolutely wonderful. The 3 disc DVD jumps right in and starts combat. I say combat instead of teaching because in one part of the video Dr. Hatsumi states, "This is a place of war, not a school." Being that I love Ninjutsu, I really gained a lot from this Tai Kai. Soke Hatsumi's way of saying be creative with techniques and "be free" really helps. I always feel if I change the technique I will be doing something wrong but Soke teaches that is exactly what to do. Warring and Wisdom - I would absolutely recommend this DVD.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Martial Arts DVD I've Ever Seen, February 6, 2004

By 

W. Sager "WJS" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Ninja - Bujinkan TaiKai USA (DVD)

This terrific three-DVD set chronicles the last training event taught by ninja Grandmaster Hatsumi Masaaki outside Japan. For twenty-one years, Hatsumi-sensei has traveled around the world to teach the nine Japanese martial arts traditions he inherited from his teacher, Takamatsu Toshitsugu. In August, 2003, Hatsumi-sensei came to the U.S. for three days and amazed the participants with his knowledge and skill. Like it says in the product description, Hatsumi-sensei doesn't just show techniques; he gets to the essence and principles of the movement, offering unlimited freedom in dealing with any situation. His understanding of martial arts really comes through on this DVD, providing endless hours of viewing.

One attacker not enough? How about watching Hatsumi-sensei toss around multiple attackers half his age as if they weren't even there? Still not enough for you? Okay, lets add a variety of weapons such as shuriken (throwing stars), daisho (long and short swords), kyoketsu shoge (sickle and chain), and yari (spear), and watch as he effortlessly controls his opponents.

Most importantly, Hatsumi-sensei doesn't teach in a stiff and stern manner. His approachable and charismatic demeanor really comes through, and makes it not only fun to watch but much easier to understand what it is that he's teaching. I highly recommend this DVD set. Anyone interested in martial arts can benefit from the information, and those seeking the true essence of the warrior way will not find a better source!