We recently received some welcome news: Bujinkan: Living-Warrior Dojo has been named one of the Top Martial Arts Schools in Idaho by MartialArtsAtlas, a national directory helping people find martial arts training in their communities.

It's always nice to receive recognition, but for us, the most important part of the dojo has always been the people who train here.

Living Warrior Dojo is a place for people who want to challenge themselves, learn something that takes time and effort to develop, and train alongside others who want to see them succeed. Our students range from kids taking their first steps into martial arts to adults who have trained for many years, but everyone comes through the door with something to learn.

We practice Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, a traditional Japanese martial art with roots in the historical martial arts of the samurai and ninja. Training develops effective movement, awareness, adaptability, self-protection skills, and the ability to remain calm and capable when circumstances don't go according to plan.

For our younger students, martial arts training also provides opportunities to develop confidence, focus, discipline, perseverance, and respect. For adults, the training can become a lifelong study—there is always another skill to improve, another principle to understand, and another challenge waiting.

So while we're grateful to MartialArtsAtlas for including Living Warrior among Idaho's top martial arts schools, we see the recognition as belonging to the entire dojo community—the students and families who continue to make this a great place to train.
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Thank you to everyone who has been part of Living Warrior Dojo. Now, back to training.

The full list is published at https://themartialartsatlas.com/best/idaho/.

A new school year brings new teachers, new routines, new challenges—and a great opportunity for kids to build confidence.
The Kids Bujinkan Class at Living Warrior Martial Arts helps young people develop focus, coordination, discipline, and practical self-protection skills in a positive, encouraging environment. Through age-appropriate training, students learn how to move safely, remain calm under pressure, work through challenges, and treat others with respect.
Bujinkan training is about more than punches and kicks. It teaches children to pay attention, make good decisions, persevere when something is difficult, and grow more comfortable in their own abilities. These are skills that can benefit them in the classroom, on the playground, and throughout life.
As your family settles into its new school-year routine, now is a great time to give your child an activity that is active, engaging, and designed to build both capability and character.
New students are welcome in our Kids Class. Come visit Living Warrior Martial Arts and discover what Bujinkan training can offer your child this school year!

As summer break approaches, many parents start asking the same question: How do I keep my child active, engaged, and learning while school is out? If you’re searching for kids martial arts programs near Boise, you’re not alone—and you’re on the right track. At Living Warrior Dojo, we offer a structured environment where kids can stay active while developing important life skills that go far beyond physical fitness.

Why Martial Arts is Perfect for Summer
Summer can lead to too much screen time and not enough structure. Martial arts provides a healthy balance by giving kids:

• Consistent activity to stay physically fit
• Focus and discipline during unstructured months
• Confidence-building experiences through skill progression
• Positive mentorship from experienced instructors

Rather than losing momentum over the summer, kids who train in martial arts often return to school more focused and self-confident.

More Than Just Self-Defense
Parents often search for “self-defense classes for kids,” but traditional training—like what we teach through Bujinkan—offers much more:

• Improved listening and attention skills
• Respect for others and themselves
• Problem-solving under pressure
• Emotional control and resilience

These are skills that benefit children in school, at home, and in social settings.

A Structured Alternative to Summer Camps
If you’re looking for summer activities for kids in Boise or Meridian, martial arts training provides a flexible and consistent option. Whether your child attends a few classes per week or trains more regularly, they’ll benefit from:

• Small group instruction
• Individual attention
• Progress they can see and feel

Get Started This Summer
Summer is the perfect time to begin something new. Without the pressures of school schedules, kids can ease into training, build confidence, and develop habits that last well beyond the season.
If you’ve been searching for kids martial arts near me, now is the time to take the first step.

Act now—class sizes are intentionally limited to ensure each student receives focused, high-quality instruction.

A new and important book has just been released: Shinryūken: A Hidden Lineage by Sean Askew, now available through BKR Budo. Buy it HERE!
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For those of us in the Bujinkan, this is more than just another martial arts book—it’s a deeper look into the roots of our tradition, particularly the legacy surrounding Toda Shinryūken and the transmission of the arts that eventually reached Masaaki Hatsumi.

Why This Book Matters for Martial Arts Training
Unlike many modern “ninja” books, Shinryūken: A Hidden Lineage takes a research-based approach to exploring the origins of ninjutsu and classical Japanese martial arts. It helps separate myth from reality and provides insight into how these teachings were preserved and passed down.

For students seeking real martial arts training, this matters.

It reinforces that what we practice in the dojo is not a collection of random techniques—it is a system refined over generations for effectiveness, adaptability, and survival.

The Difference Between Studying Martial Arts and Training Them
Reading about lineage is valuable—but martial arts training is where transformation happens.

In the Bujinkan, lineage is not just historical—it is physical. It is expressed through movement, timing, balance, and awareness.

Every class connects you to principles that have been tested in real-world conditions over centuries.
That’s what separates:

• Watching vs. doing
• Knowing vs. understanding
• Practicing techniques vs. developing skill

Authentic Bujinkan Training in a Modern World
At our dojo, we focus on authentic martial arts training rooted in traditional Japanese principles while making it accessible to modern students.
Our approach includes:

• Natural body movement (taijutsu) instead of rigid techniques
• Practical self-defense training for real-world situations
• Adaptability under pressure, not memorized responses
• Personal development, including discipline, awareness, and resilience

This is not sport martial arts. There are no tournaments or point systems—only skill development and personal growth.
Benefits of Martial Arts Training at Our DojoStudents who train consistently experience benefits that extend far beyond self-defense:

• Improved balance, coordination, and mobility
• Increased confidence and situational awareness
• Reduced stress through focused, intentional movement
• Development of calmness and clarity under pressure

Whether you're looking for self-defense training, traditional martial arts, or a deeper connection to Japanese warrior traditions, Bujinkan training offers a complete system.

From Ancient Lineage to Personal Growth
Books like Shinryūken: A Hidden Lineage remind us that martial arts are not just about the past—they are about what you become through training.
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The real value of lineage is not in memorizing names or history.
It’s in how those teachings shape:

• The way you move
• The way you think
• The way you respond to challenges

Start Your Martial Arts Training JourneyIf this book sparks your interest, the next step is simple:

Come experience authentic martial arts training for yourself.

At Living Warrior Dojo, we provide a welcoming environment for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Whether your goal is self-defense, fitness, or personal growth, our training is designed to meet you where you are.

The lineage is not just something to read about.

It is something you can experience—on the mat.

In the Bujinkan, kamae is far more than a static stance—it is a living structure that supports movement, balance, power, and longevity in training. One of the most overlooked, yet most critical, elements of correct kamae is proper knee alignment.
When the knees are aligned correctly—generally tracking naturally over the toes and remaining supported by the hips and feet—the body distributes force efficiently. This protects the knee joint from unnecessary torsion and shear stress. Over time, poor alignment (such as collapsed knees, excessive inward rotation, or knees drifting too far forward without support) can contribute to chronic knee pain, ligament strain, and joint degeneration. Many long-term martial artists don’t suffer injuries from dramatic accidents, but from small structural errors repeated thousands of times.
From a martial perspective, correct knee alignment is inseparable from effective technique. Properly aligned knees allow the practitioner to remain grounded while still mobile. Power transfers smoothly from the feet through the legs and into the hips and upper body. Balance improves, transitions between kamae become effortless, and the body can absorb or redirect force without breaking structure. When the knees are misaligned, the posture may look correct on the surface, but it collapses under pressure.
In classical Bujinkan kamae such as Ichimonji no Kamae, the knees should feel alive—soft but supported, never locked and never collapsing. This alignment allows you to sit into the posture without sinking, maintaining readiness in both stillness and movement. It also supports the subtle angling and weight shifts that are essential to taijutsu.
Training correct knee alignment early—and revisiting it often—is an investment in both martial effectiveness and lifelong joint health. Strong structure keeps your techniques honest, your movement efficient, and your body capable of training for decades to come. In the Bujinkan, good kamae is not just about how you fight—it’s about how long you can continue to train.

Martial arts have evolved dramatically over the past century — from ancient combat systems developed for survival on the battlefield to modern practices that enhance personal development, fitness, discipline, and confidence. At Bujinkan: Living-Warrior Dojo in Boise, Idaho, we carry forward one of the oldest and most comprehensive traditional martial arts systems: Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.
What Makes Bujinkan Unique?Unlike many modern martial arts that focus mainly on sport or competition, Bujinkan training blends Samurai and Ninja heritage, teaching practitioners how to move, think, and respond effectively in real-world situations. This deep lineage comes through practices like:

• Taijutsu – unarmed body techniques
  
• Kenjutsu – the art of the Japanese sword
  
• Bujutsu, other weapons training – from staffs, spear, naginata, throwing weapons
  
• Mind-body integration – Our art is a form of moving meditation
  

Training in these traditional arts doesn’t just build physical capability — it impacts how you approach challenges in everyday life.
The Value of Martial Training TodayHere’s why traditional practice still matters:
1. Discipline Translates Off the MatConsistent training requires commitment. The patience and self-discipline cultivated in class help you stay focused at work, school, and personal goals. You learn that steady effort yields results — and that mindset translates directly into success outside the dojo.
2. Real Skills for Real SituationsWhile sport martial arts emphasize points and wins, systems like Bujinkan emphasize functionality and adaptability. Learning how to use your body effectively — whether grappling, striking, or handling a traditional sword — improves coordination, presence of mind, and physical confidence.
3. Community and CamaraderieOur dojo isn’t just a place to train — it’s a community where students support each other’s growth. You learn together, help each other refine techniques, and share in victories big and small. That communal learning deepens your commitment and makes martial arts a journey, not just a workout.
Martial Arts for EveryoneWhether you’re an adult interested in effective self-defense, a businessperson looking to sharpen focus, or a parent seeking a positive developmental activity for your child, traditional martial arts have something to offer. The lessons learned on the mat — patience, respect, resilience, and awareness — are lessons that last a lifetime.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s there was a Bujinkan focused forum, administered by a Japan resident, it was called Kutaki no Mura. At one point, they created a podcast called Kutaki no Ha. Even though the website is no longer around, the podcast is being uploaded episode by episode to Youtube.  For those who are interested, I will post them here to this blog. This series could also be of interest to other martial arts practitioners such as Karate, Judo, Jujutsu, Kendo, Kenjutsu, Jiujitsu, Aikido, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Wing Chun, and of course Ninjutsu.

Podcast #24, Relax - Togakushi Trip - News - Training Tips

Several members of our dojo made a trip to Japan together this year. It was a fun trip with lots of great training opportunities and some time doing some tourism as well, such as visiting the grave sites of the 47 Ronin, the oldest functioning Buddhist Temple in Japan (Sensoji Temple in Asakusa), eating amazing Japanese food, and running from Godzilla, LOL.

Our dojo, located in the treasure valley (in Boise very close to Meridian), is a Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu dojo, exploring training in Ninpo, Ninjutsu, Bujutsu, and Budo. For those interested in Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Jujutsu, Jiujitsu, Aikido, or martial arts in general, you may really enjoy our training in traditional Japanese Martial Arts. We also study  Japanese sword Kenjutsu (Kendo, Iaijutsu, Iaido, Battojutsu, Biken, Hiken), staffs Bo (hanbo, jo, rokku shaku bo), spear yari (sojutsu), throwing weapons shuriken (Shaken and Bo Shuriken), Japanese halberd Naginata, chain and rope weapons Shoge, Kusari Fundo, and so much more.

I often am asked what me favorite part of Japan is, and that would obviously be the training with Soke and Daishihan. I also really enjoy just being in Japan. It is this blend of ancient and modern. You can be walking in a major metropolis and suddenly come upon a building that is hundreds of years old. Or a giant buddha statue that towers over all the local building.

Traveling to Japan is an important part of our martial art as it connects us with the source of our martial system and so I have made many trips to Japan over the years, only taking an unscheduled break in trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Japan closed off their country to any type of tourism and even most business travelers until mid 2023 when they finally lifted all restrictions. I was back in Japan for training June 2023, LOL).