Training with Soke - Masaaki Hatsumi
Paul, Pedro, Tom and Ian
Training with Arno, Japan
Visit to the Hombu Dojo, Japan
Sensei
Ian Carney
When I was a kid, my mum used to say I had a ‘soft heart’. In retrospect I think she had the ‘heart’ and I was just ‘soft’. I wasn’t very academic or athletic, many a time I would come home upset because I had had another run in with one of the local bullies.
It sounds silly now but back in the 80’s there was a T.V. show called Monkey. For those that are too young to know, it was a Japanese martial arts fantasy-based show on Wu Cheng’en’ s book Journey to the West. Where Monkey, Pigsy, Sandy and Tipipitaka go on a pilgrimage from China to India to retrieve the teachings of Buddha.
In adulthood I can appreciate the literary classic but as a child it was all about the goodies fighting the monsters with magic and martial arts. I think that’s where my love for martial arts springs from.
Over the years I have trained in lots of martial arts, including Kick boxing, Wu Shu and Jujutsu but it wasn’t until I accidentally came across a Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu class and yes I did say “what is that?” (see about us :-) ), I finally found the one that ‘fit’. Studying under John Spencer at the now defunct Mushin Dojo, I gained my 1st Dan and when that closed I continued my training with John’s teacher Paul Wild where I gained my 2nd through to 4th Dan.
In August 2018, I travelled to Japan to train at the Hombu dojo. Training with Soke, Masaaki Hatsumi and the other Teachers in Japan. While there I took and passed my Saki test, gaining my 5th Dan.
I have also attended Seminars over the UK, including ones presented by Graham Clunan, Paul Richardson, David Keith Heald and Petro Fleitas.
When Paul’s classes ended, I took a break for a while. During that time it felt like there was something missing and found ‘the belly’ had increased dramatically. At the time there were no other classes available in our area for me or any other Bujinkan member to train. While speaking to my daughter one day, she said ‘why don’t you just open a Dojo?’ With a little persuasion and a lot of help from my daughter, son and wife, I formed the Blackpool Bujinkan Fujin Dojo. It is a non-profit Dojo, (any monies received go back into the Dojo) as this is a labour of love and only wanted a friendly place for others and myself to be able to train in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, not make money.
Ganbatte and Play
Shidoshi certificate
Godan certificate
SENPAI
Luke Carney-Todd
Teaching Kids Class
Ishizuka-Soke & Luke
in Honbu Dojo
I began training in Ninjutsu in 2010 at the age of 12.
My dad had already been training for a year and decided to take me and my sister along.
I instantly enjoyed Ninjutsu (legitimately sparring with my sister helped :-) ) and it quickly became my favourite hobby.
At the weekends I’d ask my dad to train with me in the back garden. We would spend hours going over the same moves to perfect them. On camping holidays, we would practice in the fields or on the beach.
I continued to train alongside my dad under John Spencer and then Paul Wilde at our weekly classes until the class closed and we had nowhere to train.
I was really pleased when dad decided to open Fujin Dojo as it gave me a focus and opportunity to enhance my skills.
I trained really hard to be able to support him as much as possible.
I saved to fund my trip to Japan in 2019 where I celebrated my 21st birthday and gained my 1st Dan (black belt) and Shidoshi-ho (assistant instructor) at Hombu Dojo training with Soke and many other great people!
Now, along with training with Sensei in the Adults class, I assist in teaching the Kids class, occasionally leading the class myself.
I really enjoy passing my enthusiasm and excitement of Ninjutsu onto the kids.
My dad always told us that with Ninjutsu you have to “learn it, master it, then break it down and make it your own” following this advice I have developed my own style.
I feel this complements dads style and really helps when teaching in the kids’ class, if they struggle sometimes, I can honestly say I have been where they are and show them a slightly different style or take them aside and give them some individual training.
I feel really proud of what I have achieved in my training and pleased that I can help pass it on.
Luke
Shodan certificate
Shidoshi-ho certificate