Duncan Mitchell

I began my study of the Bujinkan in 1988 in Perth, Western Australia.

In 1990, I moved to Japan, where I lived and trained until 1995. During those years, I was able to immerse myself in the daily practice of Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu and experience training within the Japanese dōjō environment.

I was fortunate during this time to train directly with Masaaki Hatsumi Sensei and many of the senior Japanese Shihan of the Bujinkan, whose teaching and example have continued to influence my understanding of the art.

In 1995, I returned to Australia and established my first Bujinkan training group in Perth. After moving to Brisbane in 1997, I founded Bujinkan Brisbane, which has continued to provide traditional Japanese martial arts instruction for students in Brisbane for nearly 30 years.

Since returning to Australia, I have continued travelling to Japan regularly for further training, maintaining connections with the Bujinkan community and continuing my own study of the art.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to train with many senior instructors of the Bujinkan, including Shiraishi Sensei, Seno Sensei, Noguchi Sensei, Nagato Sensei, Oguri Sensei, Sakai Sensei, Hosoda Sensei, Sakuma Sensei, Tezuka Sensei, Nakadai Sensei, and Yoshida Sensei. I have also trained with former senior instructors including Manaka Sensei and Taguchi Sensei.

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Bujinkan Training

Some milestones in my Bujinkan training include:

• Passed the Godan (5th Dan) test and received Shidōshi (Instructor) licence in 1995
• Awarded the Bujinkan Gold Medal in 2001
• Received the highest dan rank currently awarded within the Bujinkan in 2009
• Received the Bufu Ikkan Award in 2011
• Received Yūshū Shihan (Teacher of Excellence) Menkyo in 2015
• Received Dai-Shihan (Senior Teacher) Menkyo in 2017

These are milestones along a much longer process of study and practice. The study of Budō is, for me, an ongoing process of learning, refinement and continued practice.

Author

Alongside teaching, I have written a number of books documenting aspects of Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu and the traditional weapons associated with the art.

Published works include:

Budo Taijutsu
An Illustrated Reference Guide of Bujinkan Dōjō Budō Taijutsu First Edition (2020), Second Edition (2025)

Bojutsu
Hanbō, Rokushaku-Bō and Jō (2024)

Currently in preparation:

Bikenjutsu
Ken, Yari, Naginata, Jutte and Kodachi

Through teaching and writing, my aim is to preserve, document, and share the principles of Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu for current and future generations.