This article is about the Japanese espionage martial arts and techniques known as Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu is frequently depicted fancifully in fiction; for these depictions, see the article on Ninjas.

Ninjutsu (忍術, also called Shinobi-jutsu or Ninpo) is a collection of techniques originally practiced for espionage purposes. It includes methods of spying, confusing enemies, and gathering information. Ninjutsu can also involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, geography, meteorology, medicine, and explosives. Practitioners of Ninjutsu have in the past been seen, at least in legend, as assassins for hire, and have been associated in the public imagination with other activities which are considered criminal by modern standards. The character nin/shinobi means "steal in" or "endurance".

Even though it was influenced by Chinese spying techniques, Ninjutsu is most definitely of Japanese origin. It probably came into being sometime around A.D 600, while Empress Suiko was in power; Michinoue-no-Mikoto is believed to be the pioneer.

See also: Martial arts

Table of contents

1 A Sample Ninjutsu Juhakkei 2 Official Ninjutsu Schools 3 Other Schools 4 External links

A Sample Ninjutsu Juhakkei

1. Seishin Teki Kyoko (Spiritual Refinement)
2. Taijutsu (Unarmed Combat)
3. Ninja Ken (Ninja Sword)
4. Bojutsu (Stick and Staff Fighting)
5. Shurikenjutsu (Throwing Blades)
6. Yari-Jutsu (Spear Fighting)
7. Naginatajutsu (Halberd Fighting)
8. Kusari-Gama (Chain and Sickle Weapon)
9. Kayaku-Jutsu (Fire and Explosives)
10. Henso-Jutsu (Disguise and Impersonation)
11. Shinobi-Iri (Stealth and Entering Methods)
12. Bajutsu (Horsemanship)
13. Sui-Ren (Water training)
14. Bo-Ryaku (Strategy)
15. Cho-Ho (Espionage)
16. Inton-Jutsu (Escape and Concealment)
17. Ten-Mon (Meteorology)
18. Chi-Mon (Geography)

Actual Ninjutsu is rarely taught these days, since it can hardly be used for more than murder and espionage, which are, in most countries, illegal. The X-kan: Bujinkan, Genbukan, and Jinenkan each contain at least one complete Ninjutsu ryuha, but they also contain other koryu bujutsu that they tend to focus on. The only ryuha that is taught at all is Togakure Ryu. Other extant kobudo, such as the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu, contain aspects of Ninjutsu in their curriculum; but they are not Ninjutsu ryuha per se.

Koga Ninjitsu, Ninjitsu practiced by Stephen K. Hayes Togakure, and that practiced by Frank Dux, Yamabushi Dux Ryu Are well known styles. Newer mixed styles such as Bujinkan and Budoki-ryu Seem to be hybrids of karate and taijitsu.

Other Schools

Other schools, which may or may not directly relate to the genuine japanese ninja traditions, have different paths. For example, the Temple of the Full Autumn Moon, which teaches Saito Ninjitsu (and defines Ninjitsu as something very similar but different from Ninjutsu), follows the Wu Shan Fa or "Five Mountain Path of the True Warrior Spirit." It can be found here. It should also be noted, historians do not believe any Ninjutsu ryuha outside the X-kan to be extant, but it is up to the individual to decide.

External links