Frequently Asked Questions About the Black Belt Course

Simply put, authentic Ninjutsu is hard to find in many parts of the world. There are not qualified instructors available on every corner. The Ninjutsu / Ninpo Taijutsu Shodan Course gives people who are not fortunate enough to have a teacher near them an opportunity to study this art in a step by step manner, offers them a way to get feedback on their training, and if desired, obtain a certified ranking. From the reports of our students this is a dream come true. The course even helps those who have a Ninjutsu dojo near them to practice the lessons at home, enhancing their training. Our students who train at the dojo and at home with the course advance at least twice as quickly. The course also creates a standard for growth and gives a new black belt a method for becoming an instructor themselves.

People who want a life change, new martial art students, families or buddies who want a hobby together, those who train but want more information, to learn faster, those without instructors, instructors who want a curriculum for students, black belts in other arts and schools who want to add to their system, knowledge or credibility. Our success tells us that our Ninjutsu / Ninpo Taijutsu Shodan Course will give you the edge you need to become a better martial artist.

Simply enroll in the Ninjutsu / Ninpo Taijutsu Black Belt Course at Bushindo University and choose the package that fits you best. Obtain a black uniform with a white belt. You do not need to have tabi shoes (some do, some don’t). Over time you will need to get or make a few wooden weapons such as a knife, 3 ft staff, 6 ft staff and a wooden sword. Study each move over and over until you can do it easily, just like it is in the lesson. Most students take about 3 months at each kyu level, achieving their black belt in 2 1/2 years of dedicated study. If you are athletic or already have martial arts experience you may go faster through the levels, keeping in mind that the basics are the foundations that you build your Black Belt and above training on. These are REAL ranks and must be earned with very hard work and perseverance.

Testing is simple. Test at an IBDA dojo, seminar or Tai Kai. Or if that is a challenge, we want you to be able to progress in the arts with us, so we allow you to submit a video to us and get written strategic feedback for the first Kyu levels (private Zoom sessions are also available). As a registered student we provide you with a list of what techniques to demonstrate while being filmed. Send in your video test and an upper level black belt instructor will carefully review and grade your skills and give you great feedback inspiring your improvements in the areas needed. You can do this for 9th kyu to 1st kyu ranks. The black belt test must be done in person at a camp, seminar, Tai Kai, dojo or private appointment with one of our many IBDA instructors. This is a real black belt and we want your day to be special!

It is fun to have someone you can share this art with. Each of you will inspire each other’s growth. Understanding this we designed a plan where you and a friend can share your training. It is all described in the Shodan training manual.

YES… We have proven this over time (25+ years) with thousands of students from all over the world. Every major university is offering online and distance learning. If you need to know how to fix something you go to a video to learn how. We have a PROVEN feedback system that works. And when you get a buddy you are hands-on training with expert step-by-step instruction.

Of course having an instructor helps you and we encourage that. But instructors are often hard to find, so why wait for one. First, the video lessons are your instructor, teaching you in your home or dojo in a step by step way. You can slow motion the instructor and practice the move until you learn it. No intimidation of a class. Go at your own speed, and do it when you have the time. Second, we encourage you to find training partners or an IBDA Bujinkan school near you when you feel you are ready to take your training to a new level. People that have taken this course are now very respected instructors. See the success stories page.

Doshi Richard Van Donk, Bujinkan 15th dan senior DaiShihan, is a personal student of Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi since the mid 1980’s and the director of the International Bujinkan Dojo Association (IBDA). He pioneered Ninjutsu distance learning and has taken hundreds of students from true beginner to master level.

Read his letter to you · About Doshi Richard Van Donk