Bujinkan Hombu Dojo

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Bujinkan Hombu Dōjō (武神館 本部道場) is the headquarters of the Bujinkan. Its formal name is the Bujinden or "The palace of warrior Gods."

It is located in Nodashi, Chiba Prefecture in Japan.

In front of the entrance there is a wooden tablet with the inscription "Bujinden," which emphasizes that this is the main dōjō of all Bujinkan Dōjō.

Bujinden Dōjō is equipped in a traditional manner. There are five kamidana in Bujinden that represent nine schools of Bujinkan. There is one big central altar, which represents Togakure ryū, Gyokko ryū, Takagi Yoshin ryū, Kukishin ryū and Shinden Fudo ryū schools, and four small altars which each individually represent Kumogakure ryū, Kotō ryū, Gyokushin ryū and Gikan ryū schools. Each of the schools have two candles and before training all 18 candles are lit.

With an area of only 48 tatami, first time visitors are often surprised the small size of the dōjō.

At the first class of the year, Sōke hangs a scroll with a part of the yearly theme written on it in the top right hand corner of the dojo.

[edit] Important Dates

The Bujinden Dōjō was opened on the 9th day of the 9th month of the 9th year of Heisei Imperial era (1997). The first day of training was on the 10th.

Sōke Masaaki Hatsumi said that as it was the first day of training the kihon happo should be practised, and showed the basic form of Ichimonji no Kata.

The official opening of the Bujinden Dōjō occurred on the 9th of September, 1998.

[edit] Nafuda Boards

The nafuda is a wooden board mounted on a wall of the dojo with pegs sticking out from it. Hung from these pegs are wooden plaques each with the name of a Shihan written on it

On the 10th day of the 10th month of the 10th year of Heisei (10 October 1998) at 10 o'clock Hatsumi sensei put up the names of the 10th dans on the first nafuda board. A small ceremony took place.

Since then every Shihan has his or her name written on a plaque and hung on a board. There is also a board for any Shihan that has passed on.