About Noguchi soke

A native of Noda City in Chiba, Japan,  Noguchi Sensei first met his teacher Hatsumi Masaaki Sensei in 1971, joining his dojo shortly afterwards and becoming an important figure in the Bujinkan Dōjō.  

For many decades Noguchi Sensei taught at a small dojo beside his house in Shimizukoen, as well as at the Hombu Dojo in Noda.

In the early 2000s he was named one of the Shitenno, or ‘four kings’ of the Bujinkan Dojo, by Hatsumi Sensei along with his colleagues Seno Sensei, Oguri Sensei and Nagato Sensei. 

His classes at the hombu dojo are known for their fast pace and flow, while Noguchi Sensei himself is renowned for his  almost magical command of distancing and timing. His technique is something that needs to be experienced to be fully understood.

In 2020, after nearly fifty years of uninterrupted training, Hatsumi Sensei named Noguchi Sensei as his successor as 19th generation Soke of Koto Ryu Koppojutsu. ​

In addition, he holds the following ranks and titles:

  • Menkyo Kaiden, Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu

  • Menkyo Kaiden, Gyokko Ryu Koshijutsu

  • Menkyo Kaiden, Kukishin Ryu Bojutsu

  • Bujinkan Dojo Shitenno Menkyo recipient

  • Bujinkan Dojo Daishihan

  • Bujinkan Dojo 15th Dan

  • Nihon Buyo Natori (Japanese traditional dance teacher)

  • Imperial ‘Cultural award’ recipient from the Higashikuni-no-miya Memorial Foundations

About Mark Lithgow Daishihan

We are very fortunate to have Bujinkan Dai-Shihan Mark Lithgow assisting Noguchi Sensei as official translator for this event. Mark is an extremely experienced practitioner of Japanese martial arts, and has lived and trained in Japan since 1986.

He has helped countless foreign students of this art gain a deeper understanding of Hatsumi Sensei’s martial arts as well as Japanese budo culture in general. He brings with him a broad knowledge of the martial arts of Japan.

Here are some of the ranks he has earned during his many years in Japan:

  • Bujinkan Dōjō – 15th Dan (Daishihan)

  • Shinkage Ryū Kenjutsu – Kaiden (Shihan Dairi)

  • Shinkage Ryū Jōjutsu – Kaiden (Shidōin)

  • Seigō Ryū Battōjutsu – Menkyo (Shidōin)

  • Heki Ryū Sekka-Ha Kyūjutsu – Menkyo Kaiden

  • Kyūdō (ANKF) – 4th Dan