Hey everyone,

Back in 2003 - during the U.S. Taikai in New Jersey - I was fortunate enough to (once again) interview Hatsumi Sensei. This interview was supposed to be for a publication that never came to fruition. As I was looking through my computer I found the interview and realized that I never did anything with it. So... I thought I would put it online and share it with you all.

A few of the questions are a little dated, but I think overall the interview is still quite current and if I do say myself I was very happy to have been able to ask him questions that I've never heard anyone ask him before.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. It's a quick but thought-provoking read. You can view it here:

Hatsumi Sensei Interview from 2003

Thanks Josh for releasing this - an excellent read.

Thanks Josh!

My favorite part was this:

Quote:

This is a great jewel to have from Sensei. It shows both the lack of his own ego, his ability to perceive himself and not take himself too seriously, and contains a great lesson for everyone else as well.

Thanks again,

Shawn

Josh, thank you very much. Great lines!

Thank you Josh for posting that here. Soke has always been consistant with his words as well as his teachings. Again thanks.

Thanks Josh. Very nice!

Thanks Josh,
It was really good reading!!

Great article Mr. Josh and a great Taikai. I got to sit right next to Hatsumi Sensei during the movie preview.

I know you said some of it was dated, but it occurred to me that the statement about the first Taikai being in New Jersey struck me as possibly inaccurate.

As I recall, the first Taikai event was in San Rafael in 1986. This was also produced by the great team of Mr. Jack (who I will see this weekend in Houston, Texas) and Mr. Mark Hodel... This was also the trip that Hatsumi Sensei made three appearances. He attended the 1st World Ninja Summit in Ohio after the California Taikai and also did a demo Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also did a one day unannounced appearance at the Shadows of Iga Festival that year.

In 1987 was the first London Taikai and Hatsumi Sensei also made an appearance at the Shadows of Iga Ninja Festival after that. Don�t recall anything happening in Jersey that year.

In 1988 was the Los Angeles Taikai� The training was actually in Burbank but we stayed in LA. This was also hosted by the Jack and Mark Team. I remember it was very nice of Mr. Hodel to make a gift to each participant that was a tiny Bujinkan pin like the patch... For the life of me over the years, I misplaced it...

The first New Jersey Taikai I can remember was in 1989, the year there were two Taikais on both coasts, both of which were put on by the Jack and Mark team.

I could be showing my age, but was there something that happened in 1987 in New Jersey that I missed? Perhaps the dates were confusing or I may just be plain wrong, but this is the best as I can remember it.

I'm glad you all are enjoying the interview. I first interviewed him in 1997, and it was nice to be able to sit down with him again in '03.

To James, those dates were before my time, so you could be right. I have no problem changing the dates and information, but I would only want to do so after getting some definitive confirmation. Obviously the dates don't matter in the grand scheme of the mesage of the interview, but I do appreciate the need for accuracy. If you should happen to get absolutely "proof" of the date of the first Taikai (and location) please let me know. Thanks!

Considering the recent discussions on kutaki about "luck". I found this part of the interview very interesting:

"MH: Good luck. [Smiles] I pray for everyone to be lucky, because luck is something that you can create for yourself. You've got to find it for yourself. It's like you could have a very large diamond, but if it's not polished properly it will not shine. You have to have that effort. It's this kind of light, this beautiful light; the light of Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo (loosely translated as "Every encounter is sacred and has the potential to unlock the key to the universal enlightenment we seek."). That's what's important. "

Thanks for putting up the interview Josh.

Jan