Biography
Hatsumi was born in Noda, Chiba, on December 2, 1931. During his school years, he was deeply involved in sports, martial arts, and theater, including serving as captain of the football team. While studying at Meiji University, he continued practicing judo and achieved the rank of Yudansha (Dan). He also taught judo to American soldiers stationed at the nearby Yokota Air Base. After graduating, Hatsumi sought a teacher to advance his martial arts skills. At age 26, he met Toshitsugu Takamatsu, known as "the Tiger of Mongolia," and became his student. Hatsumi spent fifteen years on Honshu Island learning various ninjutsu styles from Takamatsu and other members of the Takamatsu family, while also continuing to study judo, Shito Ryu karate, aikido, and kobudo. Takamatsu passed away in Nara, Japan, in 1972, having promoted Hatsumi to Soke and entrusted him with "all the art of the nine schools," including grandmaster scrolls representing three ancient ninja schools and six samurai jujutsu schools. Following this, Hatsumi established the Bujinkan Dojo in Noda, Japan, to teach these nine schools to students. He made his first trip to the United States in 1982 and has since regularly participated in annual ninjutsu Tai Kai (gatherings) worldwide. After graduation, Hatsumi also worked as a Seikotsu-in (整骨院) bonesetter and once served as chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan. Additionally, he authored the martial arts magazine Tetsuzan, which was distributed in 18 countries.
