Why do you think Kame-sennin didn't learn Bukujutsu?

[Piccolo Daimao]

Why do you think Kame-sennin didn't learn Bukujutsu? Is it because, even though it's a basic technique, you can't master it unless you have a teacher or you're especially talented enough to learn it through self-study, like Son Goku and Kuririn? Could it be because he didn't want to learn a technique his rival invented? Or he focused on other aspects of martial arts and didn't bother to learn it?

[Super Saiyan Turlast x4]

I like the idea of him not wanting to learn it because of Tsuru-sen. That sounds like a very good reason.

In all likelihood, he probably just focused on other things through his training and never gave it consideration because he didn't care enough.

[knight007]

Based on what was shown, it doesn't appear to be too difficult a technique to learn for anyone with a basic understanding of ki manipulation. If Chaotzu could learn it, so could Roshi. I don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to learn bukujutsu. Flying around would be awesome!

[Michsi]

Tbh, I get the feeling that a technique like flying comes natural to Chaozu, so I actually think it was easier for him to learn it than it would have been for Roshi.

As for Roshi: it becomes a basic technique in the later part of the story, when it was first introduced it was still a big deal and I don't think it's that easy to learn despite what we are shown with Videl. And frankly ,I don't think he ever felt the need for it.
Also, they don't start using this technique as means for transportation from the beginning, even Tenshinhan used an air craft to move around.
The zapping around happens when they all get significantly stronger.

And yet, I wouldn't find it at all suprising to find out the he can use it but just never tells anyone.

[the_abberration]

Based on how it was first introduced, I think Roshi never learned it because it was so taxing (draining) on the ki during long term use. I figure Roshi felt it would be an advantage in a fight, if his enemy used up some of their ki using it against him. Also he could have felt that constantly doing it the hard way (i.e. walking, climbing, swimming, etc.) would help maintain an increase his ki. Which is partly why he forbade goku from using Nimbus when Goku went out on his own.

[kaialone]

Doesnt he have like this flying turtle? And a plane?

[Anonymous Friend]

It required a higher level of ki manipulation that Roshi was able to do. By the time it was introduced, Roshi wasn't completely obsolete but all the fighters had surpassed him. It took him fifty years to master the Kamehameha, then Goku does it in mere moments, Krillin and Yamcha do it a couple of years later.

As for how Videl could do and Roshi couldn't, I'd say that Videl just happens to have a higher level of ki control than Roshi, but her upbringing just didn't foster it. The fact that she was able to learn how to fly over the course of a short amount of time. This doesn't dimish Roshi's skill and accomplishments.

[Piccolo Daimao]

As for how Videl could do and Roshi couldn't, I'd say that Videl just happens to have a higher level of ki control than Roshi

I think it's the fact that Videl had Gohan as a teacher; someone who was already very experienced in ki manipulation and flying at high speeds. Videl didn't even know about ki before Gohan.

[rereboy]

I'm sure Roshi could do it if he wanted to.

He probably never felt the need to do it or wanted to since it was a Tsuru's technique and, by that time, the technique was more about floating than actually flying.

[Piccolo Daimao]

You know, it could be that it's actually quite a difficult technique to master. I know it seems like a basic technique, but that could be because people were taught it, or they were just exceptionally talented. Kame-sennin's constantly surprised by new martial artists and their skill. Kame-sennin took 50 years to master the Kamehameha, while Goku fires one off in moments, while Kuririn and Yamcha are able to do it a couple of years later (although it could be argued that Kame-sennin and/or Tsuru-sennin invented the method of manipulating ki to fire blasts, and then mastered it, all of which took 50 years, while the others mastered an already-invented technique from the inventor, and didn't have to invent it themselves, explaining why they could do it in a much shorter time).

As for Bukujutsu, Tenshinhan and Chaozu were personally taught by its inventor, Tsuru-sennin. And even Tenshinhan was impressed that Kuririn could master such a technique on his own, which means Kuririn was especially talented enough to learn it through self-study. Same with Goku. Videl had Gohan as a teacher; someone who was already very experiencwed in ki manipulatintg and flying at high speeds, and who was taught by Piccolo, who flew using the same principle as Bukujutsu (but his flying is apparently better than Bukujutsu, since, in the early Saiyan arc, he calls Goku's Bukujutsu "pathetic").

I don't think Kame-sennin considered it useless, since, in a life-or-death situation, it can actually be a useful technique, even with the ki drain (which could eventually be mastered to limit the drain, as we saw when the warriors were whizzing around at high speed without exhausting). Nor do I think did he just choose to rely on the Kinto'un and Baby Gamera, because you can't use those in, say, a tournament, nor can they always be called upon in battle. And, yeah, he probably never even tried to learn it because it was a technique invented by his rival, but even if he tried, he may not have even been able to master it.

[CatouttaHell]

I think he didn't care and he was just happy with things as they were. He had other things to use as transportation and in terms of using it was a martial arts technique, he was retiring just as Chaozu and Ten came along anyhow and would have no real reason to use it in terms of martial arts. And I definitely agree that he wouldn't want to use the signature technique of his rival's school (and of Piccolo Daimao and his Demon Clan) anyhow. That's a very good point.

[Piccolo Daimao]

the signature technique of his rival's school (and of Piccolo Daimao and his Demon Clan)

Just nitpicking here, but Bukujutsu is only the Tsuru-sen School's signature technique. As Daizenshuu 7 says, Piccolo's flying works on the same principle, but is apparently better, since, when he and Goku were going to fly off after Raditz, Piccolo called Goku's Bukujutsu "pathetic". And Tambourine and Cymbal fly using their wings, which, as Daizenshuu 7 says, is "independent of ki power".