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Eastern Martial Arts in the West of Ireland
Seanchoill Sports Complex,
Corbally Rd, Parteen,
Co. Clare,
Ireland
(Click on the map for directions)
Contact us:
info@shishudojo.com
What is Bujinkan?
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is a combination of historically traditional Japanese armed and unarmed martial arts that is relatively new in the West and is composed of 9 different ryuha (schools/doctrines). some of which date back as far as 1100AD. A historical ryuha is deemed 'kobudo' ('ko' meaning 'old', 'bu' meaning 'martial', and 'do' meaning 'way' or 'method'). A kobudo ryuha is the progenitor of every traditional Japanese martial art that has since given birth to the modern ones that we know today like karate, kendo, aikido, judo etc.
Our training originated in Japan in the 1970s, when the 34th grandmaster of Togakure ryu ninpo taijutsu, Hatsumi Masaaki (pictured left), decided to combine 9 schools of ryuha (schools) that he had been taught by his sensei, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, who also went by the name 'Moko no Tora` - The Tiger of Mongolia (pictured below).
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Takamatsu sensei learned the kobudo from three former samurai who had formerly worked for daimyo (Japanese lords) in 19th Century Japan; Ishitani Matsutaro Takakage, Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu, and Mizuta Yoshitaro Tadafusa. Each of these samurai were masters in their own right, and trained Takamatsu sensei (from age 9 until he was well into his 20's), after which he travelled to China to make his name. During this period, he dealt with several life-or-death conflicts as was somewhat common at the time, and also lent his skills to the police force on occasion. He returned to Japan in 1919 and began teaching his skills whilst still learning other ryuha, namely Kukishin ryu. Takamatsu sensei met Masaaki Hatsumi in 1957 when he was still only 26 years old. The young Hastumi committed to learn from Takamatsu sensei and stayed in his home when he travelled to train with him, and received menkyo kaiden (license of total transmission) from the now-elderly Takamatsu in multiple ryuha. In 1974, Hatsumi Soke created the Bujinkan; 'Hall of the Divine Warrior', which taught samurai martial arts and ninjutsu.
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The 9 schools taught in the Bujinkan are:
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âTogakure RyÅ« NinpÅ Taijutsu (æžé æµå¿æ³äœè¡)
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Takagi Yoshin RyÅ« JÅ«tai jutsu (é«æšæå¿æµæäœè¡)
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Shinden Fudo RyÅ« Dakentai jutsu (ç¥äŒäžåæµææ³äœè¡)
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KotÅ RyÅ« KoppÅ jutsu (èåæµéªšæ³è¡)
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Kuki Shinden RyÅ« HappÅ Bikenjutsu (ä¹é¬Œç¥äŒæµå «æ³ç§å£è¡)
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Gyokko RyÅ« Kosshi jutsu (çèæµéªšæè¡)
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Kumogakure RyÅ« NinpÅ (é²é æµå¿æ³)
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Gikan RyÅ« KoppÅ jutsu (矩éæµéªšæ³è¡)
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Gyokushin RyÅ« NinpÅ (çå¿æµå¿æ³)â
Shaun Martin
8th Dan Shidoshi of the Bujinkan Shishu Dojo
Shaun's martial arts journey stretches back more than three decades. It began in 1995, when still in secondary school, he took up World Taekwondo Federation Chang Moo Kwan under 8th Dan Grandmaster Jan Bartels in Roscommon — a discipline he would train and compete in for sixteen years, eventually earning his 3rd Dan. Alongside this, he spent four years studying judo during secondary school under Sensei Padraig Harlow. After finishing school, he carried that passion into his college years, teaching Taekwondo at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology while studying science there.
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In 2013, Shaun's path led him to the Bujinkan Namiryu Dojo in Harold's Cross, Dublin, where he began training under Alex Meehan Daishihan — one of the first Irish practitioners to receive the rank of Daishihan directly from Soke Hatsumi Masaaki. Over the following years, Shaun immersed himself fully in the art, and by 2021 had risen to become a licensed Bujinkan shidoshi. In 2020, he relocated to Limerick, where he lost no time establishing the city's own Bujinkan branch, extending the tradition he'd trained so hard to inherit. He currently holds an 8th Dan in the art.
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Taken together, Shaun has now trained consistently within Irish martial arts schools for over thirty years, a commitment that shows no sign of slowing. Far from resting on the ranks he's earned, he continues to actively seek out training opportunities with instructors both at home and abroad, including direct students of Hatsumi Soke during trips to Japan — a lifelong pursuit of the art rather than a chapter he considers closed.
What We Study
At the Bujinkan Shishū dojo, we study sogo bujitsu - 'comprehensive martial arts'. We focus on punching, kicking, striking (with almost every part of the body), rolling/falling safely (ukemi), agility, strength, flexibiity and uke gata (receiving attack/technique). We also train in throwing, locking, suppression/submission, deception and opportunism in our kata. Additionally, we train in the use of the katana, 6 foot bo (rokushaku bo), 4.5 foot bo (jo) and 3 foot bo (hanbo/sanshaku bo). Occasionally we also employ the use of innovative weapons like the kusari fundo, jutte, yawara bo and shuriken (projectiles).
Ninja and samurai warfare also has a certain romanticism to their histories, being a major part of Japanese lore and warfare tradition. We learn how things were done back in Imperial Japan regarding class, caste systems, traditional clothing and rank in military outfits. Yoroi (armour) was also used in battle and we look into the use of techniques created to defeat armoured opponents.
Classes
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When do we train?
Tuesday evenings: 8pm - 9.30pm
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âHow do I join?
New students must undergo a beginners course which focuses on the main safety elements of Bujinkan, such as falling safely, rolling, correct techniques for punching/kicking/blocking, correctly handling weapons (i.e. katana), and correct distancing when using polearms (i.e. bo/staff). Please note that we openly welcome graded students from other Bujinkan dojos.
No previous experience in martial arts is needed; all equipment is provided for new students to use. The only items that are recommended to bring are loose (tough) clothing, a towel and water. There are changing and showering facilities on-site, as well as shop for tea/coffee/snacks. Uniforms, belts, footwear and crests can be sourced at a later date. ââ
Please email info@shishudojo.com to enquire about when our next beginners course is starting.
How To Get There:
Bus Routes:
O'Connor's Cross; 7 minute walk to dojo (Click image for best route options)
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Route 345 - Limerick to Scariff via Killaloe
Transport for Ireland link: here
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