There are many misconceptions about training in Japan, some might think just because you train in Japan that you are highly skilled and/or have been given the Grandmaster's secret wisdom or approval, this could not be more further from the truth.

It's true that training in Japan will no doubt give you a higher level of exposure to the Grandmaster and other Japan Shihan and this exposure combined with self training can give you a good feeling of Hatsumi Sensei's Budo however, this is not always the case.

When referring to students who train in Japan, I am speaking about Gaijin ( Foreign Students ) Not native Japan practitioners, I cannot speak highly enough about the Japanese Shihan, they are the best.

In writing this article, there will be some students in Japan who may not like what I say, but they know I am correct and the fact that they train in Japan means nothing to me. There is no gaijin training in Japan that I would not challenge, so that might give you some idea of how not so specialy they really are.

The truth is out now, and these students will soon lose their special status, I think this is wonderful. The important thing is not to look only at a student's technique, the heart is what reveals a students true Rank in the Bujinkan.

Now, don't misunderstand me, there are some good students in Japan whom I have come to respect and those who I've spoke with on occasion know they are good on my list. These are the sincere practitioners, but not many of them training in Japan.

There are some students that no matter how long they train in Japan still never go any farther then someone training in their own country. In fact, you are more likely to find better practitioners in your own country then in Japan in some cases.

There are only a few who I would consider good students the rest are there for show n tell. They like to make everyone think they are special when in fact they are not. I think the important thing is to not be misled by the illusion, training in Japan is great just don't think everyone there is a Master Ninja.

Early on in Bujinkan's history many students went to Japan because of greed and have since then been weeded out. There are still some that should not be there, however, this is ok, everyone finds a way to co-exist with each other. This is Bujinkan Harmony.