About Doshi
Doshi Richard Van Donk
Founder and Director of the IBDA / American Bujinkan Dojos and Bushindo Martial Arts University. Personal student of Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi since 1985.
The Warrior
A Lifetime on the Path
Doshi Richard Van Donk started formal martial arts training at the age of 17, informal at age 11. He is the Founder and Director of the IBDA / American Bujinkan Dojos (Ninjutsu) and Bushindo Martial Arts University, training students around the world from its International Dojo Headquarters in Middletown, Northern California.
His wife, Linda Van Donk, also a Bujinkan DaiShihan (15th dan) and co-founder of the IBDA, is the Assistant Director of Training for the American Bujinkan Dojos.
Richard is one of the highest ranking Bujinkan Ninjutsu Shidoshi (instructors) outside of Japan: 9th dan in Ninpo Taijutsu and 15th dan in Budo Taijutsu from Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. He is also an internationally acclaimed Eskrima Grandmaster, personal student and inheriting Grandmaster of the late DeCuerdas Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio.
He has been awarded black belt levels or above in Karate, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Muso Tenshin Ryu Iaijutsu (yondan), Aikido, and Enshin Ryu Iaido and Battojutsu (from Grandmaster Kenshinsai Machida). In 1996 and 1997 the World Head of Family Sokeship Council named him Grandmaster of the Year for his contributions to the martial arts, and he has been inducted into many Master and Grandmaster councils.
Ninjutsu · DaiShihan · Ju-Godan
Personal Student of Grandmaster Hatsumi
Richard is a personal student of Ninjutsu Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi of Noda City, Japan, and trained with him in Japan at least twice a year from 1985 on, over 50 trips to Japan.
- 1985 Nidan (2nd degree black belt) and Shidoshi-ho junior teaching license directly from Grandmaster Hatsumi. Made a personal student in a special ceremony at Shihan Ishizuka’s dojo.
- 1987 Shidoshi, fully licensed teacher, after passing the Sakki test.
- 1987 Passed his 5th degree test in Japan before a panel of Japanese Shihan. Told he was only the 9th non-Japanese person awarded this rank in the art’s long history.
- 1991 Golden Dragon Award for his contributions to the Bujinkan.
- Dec 2, 1995 10th degree black belt Menkyo license, on Hatsumi Sensei’s birthday.
- Mar 2000 11th dan, on Takamatsu Sensei’s birthday.
- Mar 28, 2001 Ju-nidan, 12th degree black belt.
- Dec 2, 2002 Ju-sandan, 13th degree black belt.
- Apr 2, 2004 Ju-yondan, 14th degree black belt.
- Dec 2, 2004 Menkyo Kaiden Ju-godan, 15th degree black belt.
- Beyond rank The Shin Gi Tai Ichi Award.
DaiShihan Van Donk pioneered the ranking structures now used by many Bujinkan instructors around the world who train with Hatsumi Sensei in Japan. He continues to lead the IBDA and the IBDA Master Council long after Hatsumi Sensei’s retirement.
Awards & Honors
Recognized in Japan and Around the World
Shidoshi-ho
Junior licensed teacher.
Personal Student of Soke Hatsumi
Private ceremony at Shihan Ishizuka’s dojo, with Soke, Shihan Ishizuka and Shihan Nagato in attendance.
Shidoshi
Fully licensed teacher after the Sakki test at Kobiyashi’s dojo, one of the first foreigners to pass it.
American Bujinkan Dojo Designation
A mission with Soke Hatsumi to spread the Bujinkan arts.
Fighting Spirit Award
Awarded in 1988.
Video Agreement
Contract with Soke Hatsumi and Quest for video creation, and North American and worldwide distribution of Soke’s DVDs through the American Bujinkan Dojo Association.
Golden Dragon Medal
Among the first to receive it from Soke Hatsumi, for worldwide pioneering efforts.
IBDA Designation
International Bujinkan Dojo Association designation by Soke Hatsumi. Host of the 1991 Texas Tai Kai.
Grandmaster of the Year
World Head of Family Sokeship Council.
Shin Gi Tai Award
Unification of mind and heart, skill and body.
Yushu Shihan Award
Extraordinary Shihan.
Great Master
Doshi Richard Van Donk continues to expand the IBDA teachings worldwide.
Train with Doshi
Walk the Path Yourself
Everything Doshi has learned, from his first bow to Ju-Godan, is waiting for you at Bushindo University.
Doshi Richard Van Donk