Genbukan_gekka_dojo
The Genbukan Gekka Dojo
is a fully licensed martial art school associated with Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura of
Matsubishi, Japan.
Introduction To The Genbukan , Ninpo, and
Ninjutsu
The
art of the Ninja, the legendary Shadow warrior of Japan, is the primary
focus of the Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation headed by
Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura. In the interests of maintaining the
integrity of the ancient Ninja tradition, Grandmaster Tanemura founded
the Genbukan in November of 1984. The Genbukan is dedicated to the
factual portrayal and teaching of the Ninja arts in the traditional
Japanese manner.
Ninjutsu is best described as the collection of
skills utilized by the Ninja while Ninpo, often referred to as
“the higher order of Ninjutsu,” implies a
philosophy for
living based on the principles of Nin. Nin translates into patience,
but can also imply perseverance, or stealth.
The Japanese character
for Nin consists of two parts or radicals. The upper radical is called
yaiba, which refers to the cutting edge of a blade. The lower radical
can be read either as kokoro or shin, both of which mean heart. The
character po, which implies natural law, is used rather than do (i.e.
judo, kendo, aikido, etc.). Referring to our art as Ninpo rather than
Ninjutsu stresses training which is concerned with the internal
development of the individual’s character along with the
technical skills of martial training. It isn’t enough just to
know techniques; it is where your heart and spirit are as a person that
is important. For this reason, Ninpo stresses philosophic and spiritual
training in conjunction with the physical training. This refinement of
one’s spirit is known in Japanese as seishinteki kyoyo. Ninpo
is
concerned with the defense of the whole self, and recognizes that
defense against a life-threat is dealt with by the spirit as much as
with physical technique.
Kokusai Jujutsu Renmei
(International Jujutsu Organization)
Associated
with the Genbukan is the Kokusai Jujutsu Renmei (KJJR). Established by
Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura in 1991 for the preservation and
transmission of authentic Japanese Jujutsu. Unfortunately today, very
few jujutsu schools outside of Japan practice what could be considered
authentic Jujutsu. Having lost the connection with their Japanese
roots, they have evolved into eclectic arts. The purpose of the KJJR is
to make available training to those who seek traditional jujutsu.
About The Genbukan Gekka
Dojo
The name Genbukan
translates as “the place that nurtures the
martial art professionals; the place radiating with an exquisite
martial art”. ‘Gen’ can also means black,
and thus the Genbukan
can be said to mean a place for the practice of martial arts which
are both mysterious and marvelous. This significance is that those
who master the Ninpo Bugei, give light to our everyday world, a
world often filled with darkness.
On April 10, 2001, the name Gekka Dojo was awarded to
Greg Caplinger by Grandmaster Tanemura. The name Gekka,
which means, “Moon Flower”, signifies many aspects of Ninpo. These qualities are illustrated in the Japanese sumi-e style of painting
About The Instructor
Greg Caplinger
is the Dojo-cho (school leader) of the Gekka Dojo. One of several schools in Texas fully accredited to teach Ninpo Taijutsu and Kokusai Jujutsu Renmei. A personal student of John Lindsey since 1997, Greg Caplinger has been actively involved with Ninpo since 1991. Starting with the Baku-in Dojo under Nick Donovan and several years Under Chadwick Minge of the Yamato dojo. Greg currently teaches in the Dallas area.
