Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is a martial arts system consisting of nine ryu (schools). It is often referred to as Ninjutsu, though this is not entirely correct as only three of the nine schools is specifically Ninjutsu schools.
Each school has its own feeling, weapons and purpose. One of the oldest and probably the most famous of these ryu, Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, is nearly 1000 years old. These different Japanese martial art traditions have been brought together under the name of Bujinkan (can also be spelled Bushinkan). Bujinkan translates to "Hall of the Divine Warrior".
In times past most of the different schools were seperated, each having its own master, but then: enter Masaaki Hatsumi.
Let me introduce the Soke (grandmaster) of Bujinkan, Masaaki Hatsumi. He is the founder of Bujinkan and the one who put system in the vast knowledge of the nine ryu. The amount of scrolls and ancient weapons he has collected is truly impressive. His impact on the destiny of Ninjutsu and Budo (traditional martial arts) can hardly be emphasized enough - this is reflected by the fact that he is regarded by the Japanase authorities as a "national living treasure". He is the channel through which the knowledge and interpretation of the ancient art flows to the shihan (master instructors) to the shidoshi (instructors) and finally to the students. This man is the only reliable source (not teacher) of Ninjutsu I know of, but a few others may exist.

Here is a listing of the ryu of Bujinkan. Also stated is the generation of Soke that Hatsumi represents: 



    34th Soke of Togakure ryu ninjutsu
    28th Soke of Gyokko ryu koshijutsu
    26th Soke of Kukishinden ryu happo hikenjutsu
    26th Soke of Shinden fudo ryu dakentaijutsu
    18th Soke of Koto ryu koppojutsu
    15th Soke of Gikan ryu koppojutsu
    17th Soke of Tagaki Yoshin ryu jutaijutsu
    14th Soke of Kumogakure ryu ninpo
    21th Soke of Gyokushin ryu ninjutsu

A collection of basic techniques, mainly taken from Gyokku ryu, makes up the foundation of all teaching. These techniques are again split in two: the Kihon Happo and the Sanshin no Kata. Kihon Happo deals with basic punches, kicks, throws and movement while Sanshin no Kata deals with natural fluid motion and gives the student examples of how to incoorporate the feeling of the elements (earth (chi), water (sui), fire (ka), air (fu), nothing/emptiness/space (ku)) in their techniques.

All of the ryu have their special techniques and focus. For example: Togakure ryu has all the nasty and naughty special weapons imaginable, while Kukishinden ryu specializes in battlefield combat with heavy armor, swords and polearms.

Hatsumi is currently using Three Schools (Gyokushin-ryu Ninpo, Koto-ryu Koppojutsu and Gikan-ryu Koppojutsu. More on this later) as theme for this year, which means that he emphasizes these ryu when teaching advanced classes and when attending seminars. The year 2000 is, by the way, the chinese year of the dragon.

Ninja. Because of the abuse suffered through tales, misconceptions and bad movies the word has no depth today. This is why I have not used the word so far and why I will use it only sparingly in texts to follow, but let us turn to Hatsumi for explanation of what Ninjutsu is all about:

By experiencing the confrontation of danger, the transcendence of fear or injury or death, and a working knowledge of individual personal powers and limitations, the practioner of ninjutsu can gain the strength and invincibility that permit enjoyment of the flowers moving in the wind, appreciation of the love of others, and contentment with the presence of peace in society.

Take a minute to think about it. Then another one to memorize the essense of the quote.