Do you hold children's classes?
No, we do not presently run classes for those under 16.

What should I wear to train in?
There is standard black Gi (training suit) and Tabi (training footwear) that practitioners wear.
Until a 'beginner' practioner becomes intent on regular training, then loose and comfortable clothes should be worn.

Is there a lot of formality or etiquette?
Other than the traditional greeting and closing, no.
It is expected that practioners display respect and practise safety continuously. Hygiene is strongly encouraged, for eg, short and clean finger nails etc...

How is a practioner graded?
The grading system is fairly informal - the emphasis on training is more on learning rather than achieving 'belts'.
Students progress through their fundamental (kyu) grades. After about 3-4 years of consistent and sincere training, a practioner should earn their Shodan (first degree black belt).
The grading continues to Yondan (fourth degree black belt). Thereafter, only Soke (Grand Master) can grade the practioner.
All grades are registered with Japan - the current fee for fundamental (kyu) grades are £25 annually.

Is this suitable for women?
Yes, absolutely. The movements and techniques revolve around natural principles and do not rely upon size or strength for their effectiveness.

Do you hold competitions?
No, the Bujinkan arts and culture are not a sport. It is rather the intention to help the practitioner become able to protect themselves in a range of situations.

What weapons do you study with?
We look at how to protect oneself from all manner of knives, sticks, swords, poles and even thrown weapons. We also cover working against firearms. As this is a traditional art, we do cover aspects such as sword and stick work (in order to learn how to protect oneself from such weapons, you need to know how to use them effectively).

Do you have a syllabus?
There is a core set of fundamental techniques that we study and develop during the course of the lessons. Class members can access these through the 'community section' for reference.