Ninjutsu
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 Ninja.
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.
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2 Official Ninjutsu Schools 3 Other Schools 4 External links |
Bujinkan organisation headed by Dr Masaaki Hatsumi is widely accepted as the official school containing Ninjutsu.
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.
Togakure Ryu and eight other ryuha are taught in the Bujinkan. This organisation is led by Masaaki Hatsumi, maybe the only Ninjutsu-grandmaster with a provable lineage. Genbukan Ninpo Bugei is being taught by Shoto Tanemura who formerly studied under Masaaki Hatsumi.
Non japanese exponents of Ninjutsu should at least name their japanese teacher to be taken serious. Stephen K. Hayes studied unter Masaaki Hatsumi but teaches an americanized system in his Quest Centers.
Ashida Kim is an American who says that his teacher must remain secret. Additionally his books don't convince, so the authenticity of his teachings should at least be doubted. Frank Dux teaches the Dux Ryu which is hardly known and likely to be without lineage too.
The Bujinkan System embodies nine different ryuha headed by grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. Six of them are originally Jiu-Jutsu/Samuraj-schools, three are "pure" Ninjutsu. The nine schools and the grandmaster-number of Hatsumi are:
Togakure Ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 34th Soke.
Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu Happo Biken, 28th Soke.
Kukishin Ryu Taijutsu Happo Biken, 28th Soke.
Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu Happo Biken, 26th Soke.
Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 21st Soke.
Koto Ryu Koppojutsu Happo Biken, 18th Soke.
Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu Happo Biken, 17th Soke.
Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu Happo Biken, 15th Soke.
Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo Happo Biken, 14th Soke.
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.A Sample Ninjutsu Juhakkei
Official Ninjutsu Schools
Other Schools