Studying in Japan with Soke, Nagato and other Shihan every year, Shihan Andrew Beattie was the first person in the World to pass Godan test (5th Dan) in the New Hombu at it's opening, with another Australian, Rod Hodgeson being the other to pass that eventful day in 1997. During his 10th year, Andrew expressed an interest in the study of Martial Arts. In his High School years, he began his study, gaining a black belt and competing in Tae Kwon Do while at school, alongside rowing and other school activities. It was evident that the Martial Arts was to remain a passion.

With the onset of Uni, training in the Bujinkan had commenced with earnest with Andrew Macdonald returning from Japan briefly, which resulted in his going to the First Australian Taikai, followed by commencing with training in Japan.

Recently, he has had the opportunity to work alongside other nationally / internationally renoun Martial Artists / Stunt Co-ordinators to follow a more personal career interest as a stunt performer in film and television.

To date, Shihan Andrew Beattie is the head instructor of Bujinkan Sydney Metro Dojos, classified as Japan trained, regulary visits Japan every year taking along any of his students who are able to come.

In addition, Andrew is involved in Bajutsu (samurai horsemanship and horse archery) and jousts at a local and international level.

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is the collection of ancient Martial Arts and techniques inherited by Soke (Grandmaster) Masaaki Hatsumi. There are nine schools of martial study which form the core of the Bujinkan, each with their own specialties and differences. Three of these schools are Ninjutsu, and are the only forms of Ninjutsu surviving, while the others are of more typical of the Japanese martial arts of antiquity.

As a general rule, classes do not separate the sub-schools but teach the forms as a unified whole to concentrate on training and skills to the student rather than history. The main aspects are unarmed combat, staff weapons, spear, halberd, sword and knife.

It is important that people who wish to train with the Bujinkan comply with the Guidelines of Participation. Take time to read through it thoroughly. Shihan and Shidoshi-Kai do request information on backgrounds as a requirement to train, as well as to grade.

Next step is to find a dojo and qualified instructor in your area. Make sure that whoever you train with is a Shidoshi kai. There are no accredited sole Shidoshi-Ho dojos recognised any more, instructors are now required to be a licensed instructor, 5th Dan (degree black belt) and above.

Shidoshi-Ho is a junior instructor (1st Dan-4th Dan) that is allowed to teach under the supervision of a Shidoshi-Kai. Another important aspect is that the instructors should travel to Japan on a regular basis, or be affiliated with instructors that do. This is to ensure that the training is true and current to Soke's teaching.

Bujinukan Sydney Metro Dojos

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bujinkan/

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