The Shinobu Konooburu Dojo curriculum consists of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Gracie Jiu-jitsu, and Arnis Knifefighting. We mesh Bujinkan stand-up fighting skills, Bujinkan and Arnis weapons skills, and Gracie BJJ ground-fighting skills into a single interwoven style recognized as Butaijutsu.

Training is usually conducted in a situational manner (i.e. reaction to a: punch, kick, shove, grab, or an attack from a weapon; what to do when: confronted with multiple attackers or multiple attackers with weapons, etc.). We emphasize fluid movement, balance, and mobility in our techniques. This is what we call "Taisabaki", or footwork. We also encourage training on varying surfaces, slopes, and terrain. We do not perform "Kata" or set patterns. Because not everyone is of the same build or flexibility, we also encourage training with people of varying body types. A 200lb man will move differently than a 115lb woman. Overall our main focus is on realism and effective combat application.

Here is a breakdown of each component art we study:

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu:

The Bujinkan Dojo is comprised of 9 Kō-ryū martial arts from Japan. Each school has it's own history, methods, and techniques. I'll give a very brief overview of each of them.

Tōgakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (Hidden Door School - 戸隠流忍法体術)
Emphasizes subtleness and unorthodox methods in its techniques for fast resolution to an encounter. It's main teaching is that violence is to be avoided. Techniques cover armed and unarmed combat.

Gyokkō-ryū Kosshijutsu (Jewel Tiger School - 玉虎流骨指術)
This art, along with Gikan-ryū, form the base structure of our stand up fighting methods. It is where the Kihon Happo (Foundational 8 methods) come from. It is the oldest of the 9 Bujinkan schools. Emphasis is on attacking the nerve centers of the body using the fingertips.

Kuki Shinden-ryū Happō Bikenjutsu (Nine Demon gods School - 九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)
This art is what was taught mainly to the Shogun Tokugawa Ieasu's naval officers in feudal Japan. Emphasis is on weapons techniques and unarmed combat.

Kotō-ryū Koppōjutsu (Knocking down the Tiger School - 虎倒流骨法術)
Emphasizes powerful attacks too the bodies structure. This art would be considered "hard" as compared to the others, but is still "soft" in movement.

Shinden Fudō-ryū Dakentaijutsu (Immovable Heart School - 神伝不動流打拳体術)
Emphasis is on grappling, striking, and use of your natural surroundings.

Takagi Yōshin-ryū Jūtaijutsu (High Tree, Raised Heart School - 高木揚心流柔体術)
Emphasizes fast application of preliminary grappling techniques.

Gikan-ryū Koppōjutsu (School of Truth, Loyalty, and Justice - 義鑑流骨法術)
This art, along with Gyokkō-ryū, form the base structure of our stand up fighting methods. Emphasizes powerful attacks too the bodies structure and balance.

Gyōkushin-ryū Ninpō (The Jeweled Heart School - 玉心流忍法)
Similar to Gyokkō-ryū, emphasis is on attacking the nerve centers of the body using the fingertips.

Kumōgakure-ryū Ninpō (The Hidden in the Clouds School - 雲隠流忍法)
This school is similar to Tōgakure-ryū in its techniques.

Gracie Jiu-jitsu:

Gracie Jiu-jitsu is a comprehensive grappling art, developed from Japanese Jujutsu by the Gracie family, out of Brazil. The art utilizes effective joint locks/ manipulation, chokes, and unparalleled control of an opponent on the ground. The Gracie family has extensively tested this art over the years though many public tournaments, formal challenges, and arranged fights. This is how the Ultimate Fighting Championchips began. Through this testing the art has only gotten stronger.

Arnis Knifefighting:

This system's focus is on use of a knife. It teaches unarmed defense from a knife attack, and any combination of knife vs knife. The philosophy of this art is "winners drip, losers bleed".

As you can see, we have a large volume of knowledge we can pull from encompassing all the areas of personal combat. Each of these martial fighting systems have been tested either on the battlegrounds of feudal Japan, in competitions and challenges in Brazil, and in defense of invasion in the Philippines. All the methods in our fighting system are currently used by the various branches of the US military and special ops units.

In any given class we could cover each art specified here, or focus on one area in particular for the entire duration. Training is conducted in a progressive manner. Beginners are expected to train lightly, and with more experience comes more contact when training and when sparring. During practice of techniques it is the responsibility of both parties involved to ensure one another's safety using the "tap out" system. If the 'Uke' (person the technique is being applied on) feels that the pressure is enough, he is expected to tap out. That is to tap the 'Tori' (person applying the technique) somewhere on their person (arm/ leg) indicating that the pressure is enough and to release. One tap means "stop that's enough"; two taps means "release right now". It is also the responsibility of the 'Tori' to maintain control when applying techniques. If anyone is found a safety hazard, they will be dismissed from class.

We welcome anyone of any experience level to come train with us. We also encourage our own students to study other arts. We feel this is best because not everyone is the same. Our art is primarily combative, not everyone is looking for that. Maybe they want the artistic nature of tai chi, or the aerial kicking of kung fu. We don't hold to the philosophy of "our art is the best, this is all you need", we leave that up to the student to decide.

At the end of every class we resolve any questions concerning what has been taught. Before closing we give glory and thanks to God in prayer before dismissing class.