It has come to our attention that some unscrupulous instructors are making false claims to be teaching "authentic" Ninjutsu under Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi of Noda Japan. This is a claim that is not taken lightly. We will make it very clear. We at traditional Martial Arts Academy have NOT authorized ANYONE to teach these ancient warrior arts. Anyone claiming to have such authorization is either a fraud or an outright liar. This is troublesome to us because it gives a black eye to all legitimate martial artists who work hard to preserve the true teachings of Ninpo Taijustsu (Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu).

Furthermore, getting a teaching licence in the Bujinkan under Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is no easy task. First, you must have the minimum rank of Go Dan 5th degree Black Belt. Second you must go to Japan to take the test. This test is only administered in the presence of Hatsumi Sensei. If you pass the test to achieve the rank of Go Dan, you may apply for your teachers licence called "Shidoshi" and join the Shidoshi-Kai (teachers association). At this point you will have two verifiable certificates. 1st your Go Dan 5th degree Black Belt rank certificate and second your Shidohi licence. Both of these documents are awarded by Hatsumi Sensei and personally signed and sealed. Having a yearly membership in the Bujinkan does NOT qualify anyone as a teacher, or imply the right to teach Hatsumi Sensei's art.

Anyone who has these certificates will also be able to tell you who recommended them for the rank on Go Dan, you can't just show up and take this test. Your teacher must recommend you. My teachers in the Bujinkan from the USA are David Furukawa 14th Dan and Jim Kruse 10th Dan.

Below are my certificates.
I have placed text over them, so that they cannot be copied, reprinted and displayed.