what would u think is the better style for self defence? bujinkan ninjutsu or okinawan karate???

Answer 1

I feel that after having studied both Goju ryu karate, and Bujinkan Taijutsu....the Bujinkan material is much broader and more applicable to a variety of situations.

Karate has it's uses, I won't knock it....though I do find Karate to be very limited. It's generally comprised of the usual combination of : block, punch, kick....and that's pretty much it.
Now, karate-do kobudo as it's taught in Okinawa is much different than how it's taught in the US. The Okinawan schools tend to focus on more old-school training in terms of conditioning moreso over the American sport-karate training methods that they're so focused on here.

Taijutsu teaches a much broader curriculum : atemiwaza (striking), jimewaza (chokes), jutaijutsu (throws and standup grappling), newaza (groundwork), kosshijutsu (nerve, muscle and arterial attacking methods), koppojutsu (bone and body structure attacking methods), and weapons work from ancient to modern.

Also, even beyond the technical terms....what we do is much more based on timing, distance, balance manipulation, and flow versus just brute force. The system is rooted moreso in Samurai Jujutsu than modern Japanese martial arts.

Also, very little of what we do is actually Ninjutsu, the larger majority of our curriculum is Jujutsu based.

For example, the school we're studying this year is called Kukishinden Ryu Happohikenjutsu. It's a 17th century field-combat Samurai bujutsu ryu-ha, and it has nothing to do with Ninjutsu whatsoever.

So, anyhow, rambling aside....do I think one has more value as a martial system? Yes.

Does that discredit the other style? No, not whatsoever.
I respect many Karate practitioners I've met and/or trained with over the years.
Karate can breed some tough sob's...especially within the Kyokushinkai ryu-ha.

So I'd say that the choice is really yours, and check out what fits you best.

take care,

Ryan

Also, if you're interested in checking out any Bujinkan dojo in your area, hit this site up : http://www.winjutsu.com (just click into the "links" section).

Answer 2

I teach Okinawan Arts. I can tell you that even among Okinawan Arts, there is some 'rank selling' going on.

There are some teachers that will not sell rank. Those are the ones you will really learn from.

If you want to see true Okinawan Karate, look up: Shinjinbukan, Uechi Ryu, US Kenshikai - google video.

I personally don't believe ninjutsu is available to anyone. That's my opinion.

Answer 3

I agree with Spider Tiger... it is the training. The instructor, your skills, your practice plays a bigger part than the art.
Having said that, there are a lot of fakes training ninjutsu or Budo Taijutsu. I would say for self defense, MAAP, a good Krav Mag school, Kenpo Karate, etc.

Answer 4

I agree with all of the answerers thus far. Discipline is not the most important factor, and there really is not generically better style.

The quality of the instructor and the appeal of the discipline you select, along with your dedication to training and your ability to understand and employ the concepts of the art effectively are what will make it "better" or not for you as an individual.

Make your decision based on the instructor, the school, and your level of interest. If you feel you made the wrong decision at some point, you can always switch disciplines.


Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 5

If the ninja thing isn't part of the stephen hayes group go for the okinawan.

Answer 6

No style is superior or inferior. I'm brown belt. My style is Shoto-kan. These days I don't see any classes teaching this style, I don't know why. Just some days ago some one told me that Shoto-kan is banned in India. I don't think it to be true. But I got my brown belt in 1983. After that I got busy with other activities and didn't go for black belt.

Answer 7

karate because you have a better chance on finding a good karate school than a ninja training camp.

Answer 8

ninjutsu every single time without a doubt definetly oh yes

Answer 9

Style doesn't matter. What matters is the frequency and quality of your training.

Answer 10

It would depend upon the teacher, both offer self defense you could apply.