Join us for a day of exploring Ninjutsu techniques with Shihan Shawn Gray, recently back from a visit to Japan. Shawn previously lived in Japan for 17 years as a student of Ninjutsu grandmaster Hatsumi Masaaki and Shiraishi Isamu Shihan. While based in Japan, Shawn was frequently called on to assist with technique demonstrations and Japanese language interpretation in the Dōjō and to instruct at seminars overseas. He is a recipient of the Bujinkan Gold Dragon medal and numerous other awards for his work in translating Hatsumi Sensei's work into English, perseverance in training, and sharing lessons from Japan training sessions with participants at workshops internationally. Now, just back from a training refresher in Japan, Shawn will be sharing his knowledge in Palmerston North for the first time - and you're invited to join us!
Upcoming & Past Events
28 April 2024
@ 10:00h
- 15:00h
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
Ninpō no Kufū: Homework from Japan
Palmerston North
( Central Normal School )
Hosted by
Bujinkan Dojos Palmerston North
10 February 2024
@ 09:00h
- 17:00h
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
Kusari, Tantō, Shinobigatana Workshop
Join us for a day of Chain (鎖, Kusari), Knife (短刀, Tantō) and Short Sword (忍び刀, Shinobigatana). Shihan Gary Crosland brings his many years of private security work to the mats and will show modern arrest applications. Shihan Shawn Gray will also be sharing applications based on his training under Hatsumi Sōke and Shiraishi Sensei in Japan so it will be a day of both modern and traditional approaches to some of the smaller tools in the Bujinkan arsenal.
30 July 2023
@ 09:00h
- 17:00h
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
Kiso Gata Fundamentals Workshop
Join us for a day of digging into Bujinkan Fundamentals (Kiso Gata) with Alan McGregor (Bujinkan Whangarei Dōjō) and Shawn Gray (Bujinkan Gray Dōjō). Far from being "basic", Bujinkan fundamentals are a gift that keeps on giving - there is always more to discover the more you explore! This one-day workshop with two of NZ's senior Bujinkan teachers is geared for all experience levels - newbies and advanced grades alike.
26 February 2023
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
Ninjutsu: Nazo Wo Toku・忍術：謎を解く
The Ninja: More than masks and throwing stars!
In this workshop we take a peek behind the mask, unlocking some of the mysteries behind Japan's most prominent Ninjutsu tradition, Togakure Ryū. From unarmed techniques (Ninpō Taijutsu) to exploring use of hidden weapons (Kakushi Buki) to a Shuriken tournament, this is sure to be a fun day of Ninjutsu study!
30 January 2022
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
2022 Kagami Biraki (Mirror Opening) Festival
Shake the dust off 2021 and get polished up for the New Year at our 2022 Mirror Opening Festival!
Join us for our first training workshop of the year, designed to polish off the holiday grit and give fresh clarity for the new year. Guest instructors will be sharing perspectives, so come with an open heart-mind (kokoro, 心) ready to receive some valuable Budō lessons to start off 2022.
24 November 2021
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
20th Anniversary Kinensai（20年記念際）
Come join the fun as Gray Dōjō enters our third decade. All affiliations / ranks / experience levels welcome!
We'll be focusing on the 天地人略之巻 (Tenchijin Ryaku no Maki) as a theme, with opportunities for guest instructors to share their experience and perspectives.
Friends and family welcome at our post-training dinner at Fujiyama Teppanyaki at 6pm -- just let us know numbers asap so we can keep the restaurant up to date. 忍食
Friends and family welcome at our post-training dinner at Fujiyama Teppanyaki at 6pm -- just let us know numbers asap so we can keep the restaurant up to date. 忍食
26 January 2020
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
Timing, Distance, and Modern Applications
Join Nunu Otutaha and Shawn Gray for a day of Bujinkan martial arts! In this workshop, we’ll be studying unarmed Taijutsu techniques, specifically looking at timing and distance / space. This full-day workshop will include a special “Little Ninja” kids’ segment to kick off the day before the adults take to the mats. Ages 5+ welcome!
Nunu has being studying Martial arts for over 25 years, including Karate, Boxing, MMA and predominantly Bujinkan. He’s currently the Senior instructor of the Little Ninja Dōjō and the Catchingbutterfly Bujinkan Dōjō. He passed the Bujinkan Godan test in 2013 and has a very modern application approach to transmitting the principles of Budō Taijutsu especially in relation to women's self protection. He is currently a Senior fitness coach and Self Defence instructor at Spartafit Gym in Auckland.
8 September 2019
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
Bōjutsu Stick Fighting Workshop
Join Alan McGregor and Shawn Gray for a day of stick fighting! We'll be studying stick strategies using Hanbō, Jō, and Bō (3, 4 and 6ft staff). This full day workshop will include both traditional forms that date back to the 14th Century and beyond, in addition to modern self-defence applications that can be used with common items such as umbrellas, sports equipment, and household tools.
Alan began Bujinkan training in 1989 and has been teaching in Whangarei since 1996. He passed the Godan test under Oguri Shihan in 2009, has hosted numerous seminars and training camps in NZ over the years and was one of the organizers for the 2018 Taikai hosting Nagato Shihan from Japan to teach in Auckland.
2 June 2019
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
Mutōdori: Sword and No-Sword
Join two of New Zealand's most senior Bujinkan teachers for a day of exploring Bujinkan sword-work in Wellington!
Simon Gaunt and Shawn Gray will be sharing their knowledge and experience gained through many years of training with Bujinkan grandmaster Hatsumi Masaaki and his senior students in Japan. Come out, learn more, sharpen your skills, and meet friends old and new!
13 January 2019
*This event has already taken place.
*This event has already taken place.
2019 Kagami Biraki (Mirror Opening) Workshop
Open Your Mirror for 2019!
Traditionally, the first martial arts class of the year is known as "Kagami BIraki" (鏡開き), "Mirror Opening". The doors of the Kamidana shrine are opened to reveal the sacred Mirror that resides within. The Mirror shows us our true selves, reflecting All-as-it-is. Our 2019 opening Workshop is an opportunity to observe ourselves, reflect, and look at what we want to achieve in the coming year.
For those new to the Bujinkan arts, this is a wonderful opportunity to get a taste of authentic Japanese martial arts, the way they are taught in Japan, from someone who spent 17 years training several times a week with Grandmaster Hatsumi and his senior students. Come see what it's all about, have a taste, and decide whether it's for you.
For those with Bujinkan experience, this is a great opportunity to take another look at where you're at, how you got there, and where you want to take your training from here. Let this workshop be the inspiration for the progress that you'll make over the coming year.
This 1-day event will be comprised of several training blocks that will give both an overview of Bujinkan training in general and a taste of what's to come over the coming year. The material will comprise Taihen-jutsu body movement exercises, unarmed Goshin-jutsu practical self-defence applications, techniques employing traditional defensive tools and multiple-attacker scenarios. (Content will be tailored to the ability levels of participants.)
