About the Dojo
The Bujinkan Mushinzui Dojo was originally started in 1991 as the Bujinkan Dronfield Dojo. The Bujinkan Dronfield Dojo which was founded and originally headed by the then 5th Dan, Barry Steele, was located in the North Derbyshire town of Dronfield (near Sheffield).
After a relocation in the mid 1990’s to Nottingham and following Barry’s retirement from training, the Bujinkan Dronfield Dojo was run by the current Dojo Head, Daniel; the first student of the Bujinkan Dronfield Dojo.
In 2003 following a work related relocation, the Bujinkan Dronfield Dojo was closed for seven years, during which time Daniel acted as an assistant instructor at the then main Dojo of his teacher, 15th Dan DaiShihan Norman Smithers.
Following Shihan Norman Smithers' relocation to the North of England, in 2010, the Bujinkan Dronfield Dojo was re-opened in Saffron Walden. The dojo was renamed in honour of Daniel’s main teachers Barry and Norman, whom in his view, taught and continue to teach ‘Mu no Shinzui’ - the pith or essence of Bujutsu.
Meet the Team
Dojo Head
Daniel, our chief instructor and Dojo head, is a Bujinkan Shidoshi, with an 8th dan black-belt in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. He began studying and has continued without interruption, as a student and member of the Bujinkan organisation since 1991.
As a 1st dan black-belt in Bujinkan Ninpo Taijutsu, Daniel first trained with Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi Sensei in 1994 at the UK Taikai in Cheshire.
In 1996, after winning a travel bursary from the University of Nottingham, Daniel undertook his first trip to Japan to train with Hatsumi Sensei and his senior students.
In 2004, during a training trip to Japan, after taking the 5th dan test with Hatsumi Sensei, Daniel was awarded the title of Shidoshi, and licensed to open a Martial Arts Dojo as an independent licenced Bujinkan teacher.
Since this time, in addition to training with teachers in the UK, our chief instructor periodically travels to Japan to train with Hatsumi Sensei and his senior students.
A Quote from Daniel
“I do not court fame or high rank, nor do I desire fancy titles or awards."
"Developing my own good heart and taijutsu, and sharing the very little that I have understood from what I have been taught, is my motivation."
"I live by the principle of Bufu Ikkan….
….for me this is Ninpo”
Meet Our Seniors
Sharon 
When not at the club you might find Sharon dressed in chain mail as part of ‘The Vikings’ crew, helping re-enact key historical battles across the UK. In addition to her depth of old-world knowledge, which she uses to educate the masses in the ways-of-old, Sharon also holds a black-belt in Shotokan Karate. Sharon first began training at the Mushinzui Dojo Martial Arts School at the beginning of 2011. As the Dojo’s most senior student, Sharon currently holds the Bujinkan rank of 1st Dan Black-Belt.
Sam 
'Mr Strong' - Sam is the dojo strong man; you know you are doing things properly when they work on Sam. Sam first began training at the Mushinzui Dojo Martial Arts School towards the end of 2011. Sam has a particular fondness for sparring, he particularly enjoys the full contact Kendo-like sparring, where we suit-up in full Kendo armour and defend against attacks with a bamboo sword. Sam currently holds the rank of 3rd Kyu.
Max
Max is the most recent addition to the Mushinzui Dojo core seniors. Max began training at the Mushinzui Dojo Martial Arts School, in 2015 and has been a stalwart of the club ever since. Before the recent global pandemic, prior to Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi Sensei’s retirement from teaching, Max was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Japan and train with Hatsumi Sensei and his senior students. Max currently holds the rank of 3rd Kyu.
Click here to find out about training at the Bujinkan Saffron Walden Dojo.