So hindsight is a funny thing, and this coming from nobody special, but Im happy to say my Bujinkan days are behind me and I will never look back. I appreciated the friends I made in the dojo I was in. We didnt really have a lot of big seminars or ventures to other clubs to meet other teachers, so I guess my lack of exposure to Bujinkan Taijutsu outside of my club spared me a lot of the bullshit I see since I left.
We didnt spar hard, for the club it was just a bit of fun and at the time in my teen years that was fine by me. Upon getting my 1st dan after six years of training there, the club shut not long after and I decided to try the local clubs out before settling on Goju Ryu and K-1... and the sparring and physicality was humbling and addictive to me. I found a love for the sparring and fitness that wasnt pushed in my Bujinkan days. I appreciate my time in the Bujinkan as a starting point for my interest in martial arts, and I did have fun using shuriken and bo, going over the breakfalls etc and there was a good atmosphere for a time, and I probably wouldnt be training now had I not tried out.
On the opposite hand my lack of exposure to other clubs has left me embarrassed to associate with the style to a degree. From the too deadly to fight that wont work in the street and other crap I see, to all the other ninjers online on youtube, it leaves a bit of sadness when I reflect on that training I used to do to be associated with that. Im not even bothered about the whole is it ninja or samurai debates and all the lineage bullshit, I just want to do something I can get to work and train hard to get stronger and better at a more rewarding style. If the Bujinkan only had that kind of sparring, well, who knows? I cant even bring up I ever did the style without people getting all Hatsumi = fraud, crap style, no fighters and I can say my ignorance at the time has not rewarded me or been bliss.
Im fitter than Ive ever been since starting over, and the exercise has actually helped me a lot with my clinical depression, so Im very thankful for the new start. Additionally Im starting competitions in Judo now and having a blast with it. I just wish Id found it sooner. I guess my change in what I want my martial arts to be has definitely allowed me to make a good decision here
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