Questions and Answers

These are frequently asked questions/comments.

I post them here to help answer some of your questions in advance of our meeting in order to save time and have a good understanding.

"What is the difference between Ninpo and Ninjutsu?"

~ Ninjutsu can be described as martial techniques of the Ninja. It does not address the value system and moral compass one must aspire to in order to create a harmonious and peaceful world. The GWNBF sets a very high standard for all of it's students, not only in the quality of the training and martial skill, but in the person as well.

Looking only at the outside, one can be easily deceived. Inner strength and true compassion for others is most important.

Ninpo aims to develop a person fully, in the true meaning of the words:

Body, Mind, and, Spirit.

The goal is to create a martial artist of value to the world in which we live. Someone whose heart and mind are at peace while still capable of defending themselves, their loved ones, or their country if needed.

" How is the different than Karate or Taekwondo?"

~ Ninpo Taijutsu and Jujutsu are complete. With these two martial arts fully developed, there is little you will not be able to defeat if needed.

Modern martial sports make things easy for you to get to, easy to pay, easy to train, easy to test. Some lack any real self -defence techniques at all. It has become a business, and not a true and traditional school of martial arts.

Like most things in life, if you aspire to become proficient in something, you must put in the effort. The GWNBF is not easy. It is very hard but this is a gradual thing and nothing to worry about early on. The GWNBF requires you to earn every rank and nothing is given. It requires commitment, self-discipline, and patience as well as much effort. Manners are also very important and will not be overlooked at any time for any student.

As a parent, would you like to enrol your children in something easy and without much value? Is it merely time away from home that you want for them? There are many things besides martial sports you could put them in if this is the case.

If you want your child to be able to defend themselves, have very good manners, be very fit, and develop leadership and courage, then the GWNBF is the place to be. We will set goals, aim to accomplish them, review our success, and continue forward to a bright future.

"I want to learn how to fight. Traditional schools take too long. I train in many different styles."

~ I often get statements that arent even questions. This one is common and has a number of issues with it.

Wanting to learn how to fight - Why? Why do you want to learn how to fight? Do you plan on entering competitions where you can beat up someone you have never met nor have any issue with simply for a trophy, some money, or fame? Or is it you want to be the tough guy in the bar or schoolyard and create trouble?

What is the difference between this type of thinking and that of a criminal or common thug?

The GWNBF is a place where students can learn real martial arts techniques that are highly effective in today's world, for the purpose of defending themselves, their loved ones, or their country. Its purpose is to create harmony and peace in the world, not to add to it's problems.

The one place you should probably be is in the GWNBF so that you can develop your mind and heart as well as your physical abilities so that you become someone of value to society. I encourage you to rethink what you are doing and why and perhaps give yourself the chance to grade up in life.

"I have heard/seen/been told that Ninjas cause trouble and have a bad reputation."

~Movies, TV, and some foolishness in the past have created this reputation but it is very untrue.

The GWNBF, which teaches the martial arts of the Ninja (Ninpo Taijutsu), has the purpose of creating a world of harmony and peace. Training in a GWNBF school is for true self-defence of yourself, your loved ones, or your country. There is no room for causing trouble, or being anything less than a person of value.

Historically, the ninja came from the peasant class who had little rights and often were attacked, killed, or worse by wandering bandits and also samurai. What choice did they have but to learn how to fight back using whatever they had available to them? It can be more closely related to the story of Robin Hood than to movies portraying the ninja as blood-thirsty assassins.

All students must live up to a high level of manners, compassion, patience, physical skill, commitment, self-discipline, and community involvement.

"Do you do ground-work/grappling?"

~Yes.

"I live on the other side of the city. Do you have a place that is closer?"

~ Not at the moment.

If you want to learn an effective, real world martial art for self-defence then 30 minutes or an hour is good time to prepare for class or relax afterwards on your way home.

I have to travel by plane for 4 hours to get to train with my teacher over a single weekend including the costs of flight, hotel, meals, car rental, etc. I can assure you that the cost of my training and the time to get to class is considerably more than yours. I am so lucky to be accepted by Kyoshi Wideman as one of his students and to learn Ninpo Taijutsu, Jujutsu and some of the other Ryu Ha.

"I heard/read/was told that so and so is master of such and such and want to know the difference and why the discrepency."

~Another general comment, usually asked by someone who thinks they already know the answer.

I will say right off that I have no desire to enter into a banter session with anyone regarding who is master of what. I am lucky, very lucky to have Kyoshi Wideman as my teacher and to have Soke Tanemura as the Grandmaster and head of the GWNBF and KJJR. They have been honest, open, considerate, and helpful in my development as a person and as a martial artist.

Reading about this and that, especially from the internet is full of problems. I would suggest you openly try the GWNBF and see for yourself. If you are a person of value, it will become obvious soon enough and if you arent, so will that too.

"Can I buy the DVD's from the main website?"

~No. Anyone caught buying anything from the website at all will be removed from the school. I place student orders a few times a year, and only for items that you have asked for and I have approved. These consist mainly of Ninpo Secrets book, Spirit of Budo CD, the three Amatsu Tatara books, tabis, tshirts, and baseball caps.

Save your money, come to class, practice what you have been taught, be a good student, grow as a person, rinse and repeat.

"Do I have to come to every class?"

~Depends on what your goals are.

Each student will set quarterly goals for the year. This includes a fitness evaluation, baseline metrics, and personal goals such as ranking up, helping the school, etc.

If your goal is to go as slow as possible, learning little, and staying as you are, then coming to very few classes will probably work. I will however not keep you as a student for long if this is what you plan to do.

I have my own training to do and to help those students who are taking their goals and training seriously. Whatever time I have left might be spent with those that dont try but I doubt it.

The goals we set together are a mix of what you want to achieve, what is practical, and what I require from you. The amount of class time required to make that a reality will be discussed at that time. It will then be up to you to follow through with your commitment to yourself, the school, and me. We all win if you meet and exceed your goals.