Bujinkan locks, throws, & knife skills

[David Hume]

Could I get some opinions on throwing and locks in Bujinkan? How do they compare to other arts that also use locks and throws? (self-defense wise, of course)

What about defense against a knife attacker? Is there much focus on these skills? Or what about defense with a knife?

Thanks
D

[Kirves]

Well, basically, Bujinkan is composed of 9 traditional schools, of which six are just plain traditional jujutsu schools and three are so called ninjutsu schools which were developed in the same circumstances as traditional jujutsu was. So your question is the same as "how do traditional jujutsu locks and throws compare to other arts".

They have knife work that is light years away from the karate/tae kwon do crap often taught in McDojos, but I wouldn't compare it to FMA stuff. It is used mostly as an extension of one's arm in jujutsu, with the obvious advantages of the blade counted in.

I believe the Bujinkan stuff is at it's best at standing grappling situations, and that is where they really shine too. Get to ground or stick to kick/punch distance and they are not at their best. In many traditional jujutsu traditions going down to wrestle on a battlefield of samurais was really not a good idea and that is seen in the Bujinkan attitude, though they have some stuff for groundwork too. Punching and kicking was also not that effective or even easy to do when everyone was wearing full metal armor. For that reason Bujinkan stuff is good for when you have limited movement and flexibility (tight jeans, slippery ground, you're old...) and when the action starts in or almost in the clinch distance.