Bujinkan Jissen Dojos

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has generously donated towards buying shoes for underprivileged children here in Cambodia 🇰🇭. Your kindness and compassion are making a real difference in the lives of children who need it most.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a religious fundraising festival, where I was honoured to present almost 50 pairs of new shoes to the head monks at the school. The shoes will be personally distributed to the children this week, with the school determining which children are in the greatest need and should receive them first.

Seeing your generosity transformed into something so meaningful was incredibly humbling. On behalf of the children, the school, and the local community, thank you for your support and for helping bring smiles to so many young faces.

The good news is that I still have another 50 pairs of shoes at home, which I’ll be presenting during my next visit to Cambodia.

I’ll also soon be launching another fundraiser, this time to purchase school uniforms for as many children as possible. Education changes lives, and together we can help ensure these children not only have shoes on their feet but also the opportunity to attend school with dignity and pride.

Thank you once again for your generosity, friendship, and ongoing support. Together, we’re making a genuine difference.

Kind regards,

Paul 🙏🤗❤️

Understanding the Traditional Japanese Short Swords: Tantō, Wakizashi and Kaiken

When people think of Japanese swords, the iconic katana is usually the first weapon that comes to mind. However, Japan’s martial history also includes several smaller blades that played equally important roles in the daily lives of the samurai and other members of society. Among the most significant are the tantō, wakizashi, and kaiken. Although smaller than the katana, each was designed with a distinct purpose and reflected the practical and cultural values of feudal Japan.

The tantō is a traditional Japanese dagger, typically measuring between 15 and 30 centimetres in blade length. Originally developed during the Heian period (794–1185), it was designed primarily as a close-quarter combat weapon. Samurai carried the tantō as a secondary weapon for situations where drawing a longer sword was impossible. Its robust construction made it highly effective for thrusting and cutting at extremely close range. Over time, the tantō also became a beautifully crafted work of art, with many examples featuring exquisite fittings and blades produced by Japan’s finest swordsmiths.

Slightly larger is the wakizashi, with a blade generally ranging from 30 to 60 centimetres. The wakizashi was traditionally worn alongside the katana, together forming the daishō, meaning “long and short.” This pair symbolised the social status and honour of the samurai class. While the katana was often left at the entrance when visiting homes or official buildings, the wakizashi remained at the samurai’s side, ensuring he was never completely unarmed. It was particularly valuable for fighting indoors, where confined spaces made the longer katana less practical. It also served as an important defensive weapon and, historically, was sometimes used in the ritual of seppuku.

The kaiken is perhaps the least well known of the three. This small dagger was traditionally carried concealed by women of the samurai class for personal protection. Compact and easily hidden within clothing, the kaiken provided a means of self-defence during travel or within the home. It also represented preparedness, discipline and personal responsibility—qualities highly valued in Japanese society. Although associated primarily with women, the kaiken was occasionally carried by men for discreet everyday use.

Today, these traditional blades are appreciated far beyond their historical military roles. They represent centuries of craftsmanship, discipline and cultural heritage. Master swordsmiths devoted years to perfecting their skills, creating weapons that were both functional tools and remarkable works of art.

Understanding the differences between the tantō, wakizashi and kaiken provides valuable insight into the practical realities of feudal Japan and the sophisticated martial traditions that continue to fascinate historians, martial artists and collectors throughout the world. Each blade tells its own story, reminding us that effectiveness is not determined solely by size, but by purpose, skill and the person who wields it.

Injury and the Path of Budō

Every practitioner of Budō will eventually encounter injury. It may be a painful shoulder, a damaged knee, a strained back, or something more serious that forces us to slow down. Yet often the greatest challenge is not the injury itself. It is the feeling that we are losing ground, falling behind our training partners, or somehow stepping away from the path we have devoted ourselves to for many years.

But injury does not mean the end of training.

There is a great difference between enduring hardship and acting foolishly. If the body is genuinely damaged, wisdom requires that we listen carefully, seek proper treatment when necessary, and avoid turning a temporary setback into a permanent problem. To ignore pain simply to prove one’s toughness is not Budō. True strength lies in patience, self-discipline, and the ability to think beyond the present moment.

Very often, our greatest opponent during recovery is not the injury itself, but our own ego. We do not wish to appear weak. We fear losing progress or being left behind. Yet maturity in Budō teaches us that there is no shame in adapting. Knowing when to advance and knowing when to withdraw are equally important skills. Both require wisdom.

Even when the body is limited, the spirit and mind may continue to train.

One may observe practice with greater awareness, study kamae and footwork, visualize movement, and reflect upon timing, distancing, balance, and strategy. Techniques can be performed slowly and carefully. Sometimes an injury forces us to become quiet enough to notice details that we had overlooked in healthier times.

In many ways, these periods reveal the true character of the practitioner.

It is easy to train enthusiastically when the body is strong and everything is progressing well. It is much more difficult to continue when we are frustrated, restricted, or unable to perform as we once did. Yet these moments cultivate qualities that lie at the heart of Budō: patience, humility, perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering spirit.

Budō was never intended to be practised only under perfect conditions. Life itself is rarely perfect. We may be tired, distracted, injured, or burdened by responsibilities. Learning to adapt is part of our shugyō—the lifelong process of polishing ourselves. If we cannot move quickly, we may move carefully. If we cannot practise vigorously, we may practise with greater awareness. The path remains the same, even if our pace changes.

An injury may slow our steps, but it does not have to halt our progress.

Respect the healing process. Remain patient. Continue to learn. Continue to cultivate the mind and spirit. The aim is not merely to return to the dōjō as quickly as possible, but to return with greater wisdom, deeper appreciation, and renewed commitment to the path.

For Budō is not measured solely by how we train when conditions are favourable. Rather, it is revealed by how we respond when adversity visits us.

Sometimes the greatest victories are not achieved through pushing harder, but through having the wisdom to heal.

As the old saying reminds us:

“Nana korobi, ya oki.”

Fall down seven times, rise up eight.

Continue walking the path.

Stay safe, train often and always remain humble.

Paul Johnstone 🙏👺⛩🥷
DaiShihan & Founder
Bujinkan Jissen Dojos

Thirty Years Later: Hatsumi Sensei’s Message Remains Unchanged

Many practitioners today may never have seen this historic interview with Soke Masaaki Hatsumi from his first visit to Australia for the Australian Tai Kai in 1992.

This historic interview with Soke Masaaki Hatsumi was originally conducted by Shidōshi Mike Hammond during the First Australian Tai Kai and published in Australasian Fighting Arts Magazine (Vol. 15, No. 6, October/November 1992).

The interview is an important piece of Australian Bujinkan history, documenting Hatsumi Sensei’s thoughts during his first visit to Australia and capturing the atmosphere of the early growth of the Bujinkan in this country.

Throughout the interview, Hatsumi Sensei emphasised that Budō is far more than techniques. He encouraged students to study diligently, understand the culture and history behind the art, and avoid seeking quick answers or shortcuts. True understanding, he explained, comes through years of dedicated training, research, and experience.

More than thirty years after this historic Australian visit, Hatsumi Sensei’s message remains unchanged: study sincerely, preserve the traditions, seek understanding beyond technique, and never stop learning. Through that approach, the true spirit of Budō can be discovered.

His words remain just as relevant today as they were in 1992 and continue to inspire Bujinkan practitioners around the world.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE MARTIAL ARTS CLASS 🔥

Train Like the Samurai. Move Like the Ninja. 🥷⚔️

This is not sport…
This is not for show…
This is traditional, real-world combat knowledge passed down through generations.

Learn:
⚔️ Samurai strategy & weapons principles
🥷 Ninja movement, stealth & control
🧠 Awareness, discipline & mindset for real-world situations

Whether you’re a complete beginner or experienced martial artist — this is something different.

📍 Sunnybank & Redcliffe Classes Available

⚠️ Limited places available — serious enquiries only

👉 Message now to secure your spot

Kind regards,
Dai Shihan Paul Johnstone 🙏🥷

Jissen Dojos wishes you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.

新年明けましておめでとうございます。
(Shinnen akemash*te omedetō gozaimasu.)

May 2026 brings you strength, safety, good health, and confidence — both on and off the mat. We look forward to training together, growing stronger, and continuing our journey as one community.

Stay safe, train often, and always remain humble.

Paul Johnstone 🙏
DaiShihan
Bujinkan Jissen Dojos

I was recently interviewed by The Epoch Times following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, where I shared my views on the radicalisation process and the challenges authorities face in predicting and preventing so-called “lone-wolf” attacks.

These individuals are often highly unpredictable, making early detection extremely difficult despite intelligence and policing efforts. In the article, I also discuss how Australia can better prepare for these types of incidents through improved public awareness, preparedness training, and faster on-scene response capabilities.

From a policy perspective, I outline practical measures governments could consider, including models used overseas. One example is the United Kingdom’s Armed Response Vehicle approach, where heavily armed police units patrol high-traffic and high-risk areas to provide immediate deterrence and rapid intervention should an attack occur.

The focus must remain on preparedness, deterrence, and protecting the public in an increasingly complex threat environment.

Stay safe, train often and always remain humble.

Paul Johnstone 🙏
DaiShihan
Bujinkan Jissen Dojos