Masaaki Hatsumi

Masaaki Hatsumi (初見 良昭; born Yoshiaki Hatsumi on December 2, 1931) is a Japanese martial artist best known as the founder of the Bujinkan organization and the 34th Togakure-ryū ninjutsu grandmaster (soke). He studied various martial arts before becoming the student and successor of Toshitsugu Takamatsu. Hatsumi dedicated his life to preserving and teaching nine traditional Japanese martial lineages, collectively known as Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu. Through books, seminars, and international outreach, he introduced authentic ninjutsu principles to a global audience. His teachings emphasize natural movement, adaptability, and spiritual discipline, shaping modern perceptions of historical ninja traditions. He is no longer active as a teacher and passed over his grandmaster titles to his students.