For over fifty years, Masaaki Hatsumi Soke has shared his ninja and samurai lessons and knowledge with Bujinkan members all over the world. He sees himself not as a martial arts warrior, but as an artist painting with broad strokes and layers of creativity. To understand Soke's training, we must understand him, his dedication, and gifts.

In Bujinkan Inspired, the contributors share their unique understanding of the martial arts stages of learning within the Japanese martial arts. While each of these senior Bujinkan instructors may express the art differently, in Bujinkan Inspired, they offer their shared insights to training with Hatsumi-soke and Shu-Ha-Ri, an elusive path to mastery.