I hadn’t originally planned to write this end-of-year blog post, but as I scrolled through my saved photos and earlier entries, the memories came flooding back. So here’s a chronological summary of my training highlights from 2025 – a year I truly dedicated to deepening my practice – and one that has already inspired me to look forward to the fiery energies of the 2026 Year of the Fire Horse.
2025 Year Review
This year, I chose to focus intensively on Koto-ryū Koppōjutsu. I began with the Shoden Kata in January, moved on to Hekito Kata in March, Chūden Kata in April, and completed the transmission with Okuden Kata in June. For each technique, I took photographs and noted my own observations and insights. Those who purchased a membership through me can access all of this material on Bujinkan.online – you’re most welcome to explore it.
I made two memorable trips to Japan: Trip #52 in March and Trip #53 in September, both filled with invaluable training alongside the masters at Hombu Dojo.
In May, we celebrated Bujinkan’s 50 years in Europe with a wonderfully organised Taikai hosted by Bujinkan Dojo Norrköping. I was honoured to be one of the three invited instructors and taught Gikan-ryū Koppō Taijutsu as I had learnt it from Noguchi Sensei.
October brought my 60th birthday, which I marked with my own Kanreki Taikai. I invited a select group of close friends without publicising their names, keeping the event intimate and personal. It turned out beautifully – exactly the celebration I had hoped for. As planned, I covered half the seminar costs myself, and it was well worth it. The videos from the event are now available to watch for free on bujinkan.tv – do take a look, like, and subscribe if you enjoy them!
In December, I travelled to Paris for the Nagato Taikai, brilliantly organised by Bruno, my good friend Baubak, and their dojo. Many thanks for a fantastic event.
The following weekend, I was invited to teach at the Bujinkan 40-Year Anniversary in Norrköping – another memorable gathering with old and new training friends.
That, in essence, sums up my training year in 2025: a year of focused study, inspiring travel, meaningful events, and cherished connections. Thank you to everyone who shared the journey with me.
For 2026, I currently have no large-scale events planned. My main focus will be two trips to Japan—one in spring and one in fall—along with continuing the monthly TANRENKAI training sessions. Everything else will be decided as the year unfolds.
The Year of the Fire Horse 2026
The Year of the Horse 2026 (丙午 Bingu) is the 44th year in the 60-year Japanese Jikkan Jūnishi cycle. The Horse (午 Uma) is the seventh animal of the twelve in the “Eto” (Japanese Zodiac). 2025 was the Year of the Wood Snake (乙巳Kinoto-mi) transitioning to the Year of the Horse in 2026.
The Fire Horse Year 2026: This year will be marked by the element of Fire (火 Hi), symbolising passion, energy, and transformation. The Horse, a sign of freedom, strength, and independence, combines with fire energies to create a period of dynamic movement and bold initiatives. People born in this year are often expected to be charismatic, adventurous, and naturally inclined towards leadership and creative breakthroughs.
Jikkan Jūnishi: The Japanese zodiac is based on a sexagesimal cycle combining the ten heavenly stems (Jikkan) with the twelve earthly branches (Jūnishi). The year 2026 is associated with:
- Heavenly Stem: 丙 (Hei) – The positive fire element.
- Earthly Branch: 午 (Go) – The Horse.
Astrological Implications in the Year of the Fire Horse 2026
The Fire Horse year brings a time of intense activity and change. It is a year where courage, passion, and swift action are rewarded. This can be an excellent period for taking risks, launching new projects, or breaking free from old patterns. The Horse year may also bring a certain restlessness, where it is important to channel the energy constructively and avoid impulsive decisions.
In Greek mythology, the sun god Helios (sometimes identified with Apollo) drives his chariot across the sky, pulled by four immortal horses that breathe fire: Pyrois (fire), Eous (dawn), Aethon (blazing) and Phlegon (flaming). Their fiery manes symbolise the intense heat of the sun.
The war god Ares also has fire-breathing horses – Aithon, Phlogios, Konabos and Phobos – that spew flames from their nostrils as they pull his battle chariot.
In Norse mythology, Skinfaxi (“shining mane”) is the horse that pulls the chariot of Dagr (Day). His mane radiates such a brilliant light that it illuminates the entire world – a form of fiery glow that banishes darkness.
Cultural Aspects in the Year of the Fire Horse 2026
In Japan and East Asia, the horse carries strong symbolism of speed, honour, and freedom. It is often associated with warriors and journeys, and in mythology it represents powerful forward momentum. The Horse year can thus be seen as a time to conquer new territories – both external and internal – and to find strength in challenges that demand courage and endurance.
My Web Site Projects
Yes, I do manage quite a few websites – each one a little piece of my budō journey. Here are some highlights and statistics from 2025.
TORYU.SE My personal website and the one closest to my heart. This year I published 32 blog posts, mostly excerpts I found fascinating from old ninjutsu history books that I’ve translated from Japanese. There are many more books waiting, so I’ll happily continue this project into next year and beyond.
27.11k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
BUJINKAN.ONLINE My Bujinkan knowledge base, shared with friends and anyone who chooses their membership through me. In 2025 I added over 100 new articles – it now holds 833 published pieces. I hope you find it useful and enjoyable.
4.37k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
TANRENKAI.COM My newest project, launched in November. This site is dedicated to monthly Saturday training workshops (Tanrenkai). With my shift-work schedule it’s been hard to keep weekday training consistent, so from 2026 I’ll focus on one high-quality Saturday session per month. Themes and dates will always be announced here.
2.57k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
KAIGOZAN.SE The website for the dojo I founded 35 years ago. After 32 years in one location we moved 18 months ago, but the new place didn’t work out as hoped. Regular training relied heavily on me being present every week, which my shifts made difficult. Rather than let tensions arise, I decided to pause the old structure and start fresh. From 2026 we’ll hold one focused training per month on Saturdays (see tanrenkai.se). I’m very open to restarting weekday sessions and welcoming beginners again – if one or two committed instructors step forward to share the responsibility. For now, I’ll happily lead the monthly Saturdays myself.
12.73k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
BUDOSHOP.SE The place to buy videos I’ve produced since the 1990s – from seminars I organised and my own training events. We’ve come a long way from manually copying VHS tapes, through VideoCDs and DVDs, to today’s downloadable videos. More than 100 titles available – do have a look.
22.33k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
NINZINE.COM A collection of the best Bujinkan and ninjutsu articles I’ve found over the years. It began in the early 1990s with 1.44 MB floppy disks shared via Compuserve and the Moko no Tora BBS. In 2005 I moved it online, and now it holds exactly 2005 articles – a nice coincidence!
26.37k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
BUJINKAN.ME A simple list of upcoming Bujinkan seminars worldwide. I prioritise events with Japanese Shihan, but I’m happy to include others too – just send me a public link (no login-required pages).
10.99k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
YUDANSHABOOK.COM The site for the only book I’m truly proud of. I’m told many respected dojo instructors keep it as a reference for their students – that means a lot to me.
9.01k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
TAIKAI.SE (formerly Kaigousuru Taikai) Home of some legendary events we ran in the early 2000s (ask your teacher!). After the unforgettable 2007 Taikai we switched to every five years: 2015 (Kaigozan 25 years), 2020 (Kaigozan 30 years), 2025 (Toryū Kanreki). The next – and final – one I’ll ever organise is planned for October 2030.
7.48k unique visitors in the past 30 days (Cloudflare).
INSTAGRAM/toryu_se 832 posts, 1,309 followers.
X.COM/kesshi 333 followers
FACEBOOK.COM/KGZDojo I stepped away more than ten years ago (after refusing to hand over passport details). Now that I’m allowed back, I’ll start sharing again – at least until the next disagreement! 554 followers.
Closing Words: The Year of the Horse 2026 promises to be a year of fiery opportunities and personal expansion. With the Fire Horse energies, there will be many chances to grow through passion, to break free from the past, and to gallop towards the future with confidence and drive.
Happy New Year & Happy Training!
/Toryu