Co-Founder of Bushindo
Shihan Linda Van Donk
“Endless Good Comes in Endless Ways.”
At a Glance
- 15th Dan in Bujinkan Ninjutsu, granted directly by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi
- Training in Ninjutsu since 1985, with Soke Hatsumi since 1986
- Level 6S Master (Professor) of Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima
- President of Bushindo Inc.
- Film producer of over 25 martial arts and self improvement titles
- Senior editor for Bushindo University Publications
Martial Arts Profile
Shihan Linda Van Donk
Linda Van Donk was born in Massachusetts on July 9. Linda started martial arts in High School when she joined a fencing class. She loved the foil for its quickness and that it was as demanding for her mind as it was for her body. Linda, a Senior Shidoshi, is the Director of Training for the American Bujinkan Dojos.
Linda Van Donk is the Founder and Director of the IBDA/American Bujinkan Dojos (Ninjutsu) and Bushindo Martial Arts University operating worldwide in over 60 countries with its International Dojo Headquarters in Middletown, (Northern) California, U.S.A. Linda earned a degree in cultural & physical Anthropology. She is a film producer of over 25 martial arts and self improvement titles as well as the senior editor for Bushindo University Publications. She is the director of the American Bujinkan Dojo and President of Bushindo Inc.
Shihan Linda is one of the highest ranking female Bujinkan Ninjutsu Shidoshi (Instructors), holding the rank of 15th Dan in Ninjutsu granted directly from Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi, and the only Level 6S instructor of Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima (she was a personal student of the late DeCuerdas Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio and GM Richard Van Donk).
Ninjutsu (15th Dan Menkyo from Soke Hatsumi)
Linda Van Donk has received her ranking direct from Soke Hatsumi and has trained with him in Japan and around the world at various tai kais over the years since 1986. She started training in Ninjutsu with her now husband Richard in 1985. In May 1995 Linda passed her 5th degree test at the Tucson Tai Kai in front of a panel of Shihan teachers. Linda became one of the very few females in the world to ever take this coveted sakki test directly from Soke Hatsumi and pass the very first time.
Soke Hatsumi awarded Shihan Linda Van Donk her 10th degree Blackbelt Menkyo license after she brought 4 signed recommendations from some of the very top Bujinkan Shihan on April 2nd, 2004 (Takamatsu Resurrection Tai Kai). Shihan Linda has been responsible for pioneering the Ninjutsu Blackbelt course created by Shihan Richard Van Donk around the world, so that people without teachers nearby could have a way to train in this wonderful art. It is through her compassion that the art has grown as it has around the world. Shihan Linda was awarded her 15th Dan from Soke Hatsumi.
See the Ninjutsu Black Belt Course.
DeCuerdas Eskrima
True DeCuerdas is a pure blade fighting system that is one of the rarest mother systems of Eskrima. DeCuerdas means to windup as in winding a watch (‘spring forward’) and has deep spiritual and philosophical roots as well as a very powerful weapons art. Linda Van Donk has earned the rare title of Master (Professor) and Level 6S (Level 7 is the highest) in Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima from Grandmaster Richard Van Donk, an inheriting GM. Linda studied diligently with Grandmaster Tenio for many years before his passing, starting in 1986.
Spiritual Studies
Linda considers herself to be a perpetual seeker of truth. She has traveled around the world visiting, meditating, and studying sacred places and people such as the Pyramids & Nile temples in Egypt, Satgurus & Temples all over India, Dzogchen Empowerments directly from the Dalai Lama, Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury in England, Mt. Shasta, American Indian holy sites, Mikkyo Temples in Japan, China, Tibet, and the Central American ancient civilizations of Palenque, Teotihuacan and several others deep in the jungles of Mexico, searching and studying aspects of spirituality and consciousness.
Personal Info
Linda loves to learn. She is always reading 4 or 5 books at a time. Education and awareness is the way to overcome ignorance. Her major in college was anthropology, where she received a cultural and physical anthropology degree. Also being interested in healing and nutrition, she has received certifications in Reiki, several massage schools, and lymphology. She is certified in Silva Mind Control, brain mind sciences, Hypnotherapy, Kriya Yoga, and NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) at the trainer level. She has explored skydiving, firewalking, hot springs, Burning Man, music festivals, and Goddess events. Spiritual Name: Yamuna Lotus Star.
Train With the Van Donks
Your Training Is Waiting
The Ninjutsu Black Belt Course Linda pioneered around the world is online now at Bushindo University.