The picture is being used by the permission of Steve Olsen. The picture is from his book ’My Way: Reflections on Training with Masaaki Hatsumi’

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu was founded by Masaaki Hatsumi (née Yoshiaki
Hatsumi), who was born on 2nd December 1931 and began learning kendo as a 7 year old.
In his youth, Hatsumi was also a skilled and renowned judoka who practiced karate,
aikido, and boxing among others. He instructed American soldiers in judo at the Yokota
army base while studying theatre at Meiji University. When teaching judo,
Hatsumi noticed that the bigger and stronger soldiers were easily capable of lifting and throwing seasoned black belts
after only a short period of training
. Because of this, he began searching ways of beating physically larger opponents more effectively.

Following his graduation from university, Hatsumi trained in several different koryu, or old martial styles
under different master’s until he met Toshitsugu Takamatsu (1889-1972) who became his teacher.
Hatsumi also studied to become a Japanese
Seikotsu physical therapist at Takamatsu’s suggestion. His treatment clinic served a double purpose, functioning as his budo practice hall in the evenings
Later on, the Hombu-dojo was build in Noda, Tokyo as the head Bujinkan training hall.
During fifteen years of training, Takamatsu bestowed the title of Grand Master upon Hatsumi in nine different martial arts in Nara, Japan.

These are listed as follows:

Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術)

Gyokushin-ryū Ryū Ninpō (玉心流忍法)

Kumogakure Ryū Ninpō (雲隠流忍法)

Koto Ryū Koppō jutsu (虎倒流骨法術)

Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu (玉虎流骨指術)

Kuki Shinden Happō Bikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)

Shinden Fudo Ryū Dakentai jutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術)

Takagi Yoshin Ryū Jūtai jutsu (高木揚心流柔体術)

Gikan Ryū Koppō jutsu (義鑑流骨法術)

When international interest in Bujinkan grew, Hatsumi started teaching
it with various yearly themes beginning in 1988. At the annual Daikomiosai camp in December,
he always announced the coming year’s theme and brought the current year’s theme to its conclusion,
thus shifting the focal point of Bujinkan training according to the new theme
.

Bujinkan yearly themes:

2017-2019 – Muto Dori

2015 – Nagamaki

2014 – 神韻武導 Shin In Bu Dou / 神 SHIN, JIN god, divinity; mind, soul / 韻 IN rhythm; elegance; melody / 武 BU, MU war, martial skills, chivalry. Bu tai Mu refers to a soldier, Bushi or Musha / 導 DŌ to lead, to guide.

2013 – Ken Engetsu no Kagami (‛Mirror of the Full Moon Sword’)/ Tachi Hôken (‛Sword of Holy Treasure’)— Ken, Tachi, and Katana/ Naginata and Yari

2012 – Jin Ryo Yo Go – Kaname, sword and Rokushakubo, separately and dual-wielding

2011 – Kihon Happo

2010 – Rokkon Shoujou

2009 – 才能 魂 器 ”saino konki”/ Talent, heart, capacity / Talent, soul, capacity

2008 – Togakure-ryū Ninpō Taijutsu

2007 – Kukishin Ryu

2006 – Shinden Fudo Ryu

2005 – Gyokko-ryū Kosshi jutsu (Bo and Tachi)

2004 – Daishou Juutai jutsu (Roppo-Kuji-no Biken)

2003 – Juppo Sessho

2002 – Jutai jutsu (Takagi Yoshin Ryu)

2001 – Kosshi jutsu (Gyokko Ryu)

2000 – Koppo jutsu (Koto Ryu)

1999 – Kukishinden Ryu

1998 – Shinden Fudo Ryu

1997 – Jojutsu

1996 – Bokken

1995 – Naginata

1994 – Yari

1993 – Rokushakubojutsu

1992 – Taijutsu voima

1991 – Sword and Jutte

1990 – Hanbo

1989 – Taijutsu and weapons

1988 – Taijutsu

Upon reaching 88 years of age on 2nd December 2019, Hatsumi passed on his title of Grand Master
to his students as follows:

Togakure-ryū – Tsutsui Takumi
Gyokushin-ryū – Kan Jun’ichi
Kumogakure-ryū – Furuta Kōji
Kotō-ryū – Noguchi Yukio
Gyokko-ryū – Ishizuka Tetsuji
Kukishin-ryū – Iwata Yoshio
Shinden Fudō-ryū – Nagato Toshirō
Takagi Yōshin-ryū – Sakasai Norio
Gikan-ryū – Sakasai Norio