About Linda
Shihan Linda Van Donk
“Endless good comes in endless ways.”
Crystal Gayle
Martial Arts Profile
A Warrior’s Mind and Heart
Born in Massachusetts, Linda started martial arts in high school when she joined a fencing class. She loved the foil for its quickness, and because it was as demanding on her mind as it was on her body.
Shihan Linda Van Donk is one of the highest ranking female Bujinkan Ninjutsu Shidoshi (instructors) in the world, holding 15th Dan in Budo Taijutsu / Ninjutsu granted directly by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. She is the only Level 6 instructor of Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima, and was a personal student of the late DeCuerdas Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio.
Linda is the co-founder of the IBDA and Assistant Director of Training for the American Bujinkan Dojos, director of the American Bujinkan Dojo and President of Bushindo Inc., with its International Dojo Headquarters in Middletown, Northern California. She holds a degree in cultural and physical anthropology, has produced over 25 martial arts and self-improvement titles, and is the senior editor for Bushindo University Publications.
With Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi
Ninjutsu · Menkyo Kaiden
Ranked Directly by Grandmaster Hatsumi
Linda received her ranking directly from Soke Hatsumi and has trained with him in Japan and at Tai Kai around the world for decades.
- 1985 Begins training in Ninjutsu with her now-husband, Doshi Richard Van Donk.
- 1986 Begins training with Grandmaster Hatsumi, in Japan and at Tai Kai around the world.
- May 1995 Passes her 5th degree test at the Tucson Tai Kai before a panel of Shihan, one of the very few women in the world to take the coveted Sakki test directly from Soke Hatsumi and pass it the very first time.
- Dec 2, 1995 10th Dan Menkyo license from Soke Hatsumi, on his birthday, with four signed recommendations from some of the very top Bujinkan Shihan.
- April 2014 Promoted to 15th Dan by Soke Hatsumi.
Shihan Linda pioneered bringing the Ninjutsu Black Belt Course, created by Doshi Richard Van Donk, to students around the world, so that people without a teacher nearby could still train in this wonderful art. It is through her compassion that the art has grown as it has around the world.
DeCuerdas Eskrima
Master & Professor, Level 6
A Pure Blade System
True DeCuerdas is a pure blade fighting system and one of the rarest mother systems of Eskrima, with deep spiritual and philosophical roots as well as a very powerful weapons art.
“To Wind Up”
DeCuerdas means to wind up, as in winding a watch: the spring stored, then released forward.
Master (Professor), Level 6
Of seven levels, awarded by Grandmaster Doshi Richard Van Donk, the inheriting Grandmaster. Linda studied diligently with Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio for many years before his passing.
Spiritual Studies
A Perpetual Seeker of Truth
Linda has traveled the world visiting, meditating in and studying sacred places and people, searching out and studying aspects of spirituality and consciousness.
Her spiritual name is Yamuna Lotus Star.
Personal
Always Learning
Linda loves to learn and is always reading four or five books at a time. To her, education and awareness are the way to overcome ignorance. Her interest in healing and nutrition led to certifications in:
She has explored skydiving, firewalking, hot springs, Burning Man, music festivals and Goddess events.
Train with the Van Donks
Begin Your Own Path
The Black Belt Course Linda carried around the world, and the spiritual path she has walked for a lifetime, are both waiting for you at Bushindo University.
Doshi Richard Van Donk