Terms like "soft/hard", "internal/external", "linear/circular" are used to describe many martial art styles. Our art could appear to be any of these at any given time. Know that the term "Budo Taijutsu" does not refer to any specific style, but more to a group of skills or capabilities, each studied and ultimately expressed by the various ryu. The physical dynamics vary from school to school - one may focus on redirection and avoidance while another may charge in and overwhelm.

Briefly, Budo Taijutsu’s literal english translation means “body fighting arts” and it includes the study of armed and unarmed combative techniques, strategy, life philosophy, and history. The idea is to become adept at a variety of skills, rather than specializing, as in truth the main principles in combat are distance, rhythm, timing and flow. We are taught to respond to attacks in such a way as to place ourselves in an advantageous position from which an effective response can be employed. We are taught to use the entire body for each movement or technique to provide the greatest power or leverage. We use the openings created by the opponent's movement to apply techniques allowing him to defeat himself. This is the essence of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.