Ninja

DOMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASU, SENSEI A Guide To Being A True Ninja. What exactly is a Ninja? You have seen them in the movies and Japanese anime. A true Ninja is not one that makes a lot of un-necessary sounds when they hit things or catch objects with their chopsticks. They can neither teleport nor drop down from the ceiling and slice everything into pieces. Ninja have been around since at least the 14th century, when guerilla warfare in feudal Japan called for subterfuge and assassination – activities which samurai would not perform because they were forbidden by Bushido, the samurai code. Basically, Ninjas were nothing more that master spies, assassins and specialist warriors. However, the principles and techniques remain valuable for anyone who is interested in espionage and deception. Be warned, it’s not easy to be a Ninja, but I hope these tips below will help you. First and foremost, you need to decide upon a series of ideas, morals and philosophies that you truly can live by. These morals will reflect on every decision you make in future. Moreover, you want to educate yourself on the history of Ninja. I suggest you read Massaki Hatsumi’s book, Secrets From The Ninja Grandmaster. The revised version of this book is available on Amazon. The book tells you a lot about the history of a Ninja and helps you better distinguish between the myths and reality of the Ninjas. The Ninja lifestyle was diverse, and you need to direct your lifestyle accordingly. Secrecy is one the most important thing of the Ninjutsu discipline. No one should know that you practice Ninjutsu. Never publicize that you are a Ninja, as Ninjas must be able to function as spies. You cannot reveal your status as an aspiring Ninja, or else no one will trust you. Never dress like a stereotypical Ninja. Contrary to popular belief, the black ‘Ninja outfits’ were used and publicized by the Kabuki Theater where Ninja characters were disguised as prop handlers. As a Ninja you should be as stealthy as the night and as deadly as the dawn. For stealth, you probably want Jika-Tabi (地下足袋). Jika-Tabi, also known as the “tabi-boots” are called so because of their resemblance to the traditional Japanese socks (tabi). You should know how to dress appropriately, so that you never stand out or draw attention to yourself. Being sociable and friendly is a must, because a person who sits quietly in the corner arouses suspicion. Always have an escape plan. No matter where you are, always know how to get out as quickly and anonymously as possible. This is a critical Ninja skill, especially during missions. In the past, smoke bombs and firecrackers were used to create diversions. You, however, will have to you subtle techniques like switching off the lights. Always assess your surroundings, and beware of your closest and smartest exit route, plan a diversion. A crucial part of your costume is gloves, because Ninja always strive to leave no evidence behind. In the ancient times, Ninjas used ashiaro; these are wooden pads worn on the bottom of their footwear and carved to look like an animal’s paw or a child’s foot so that the Ninja footprints would not be noticed, this technique was also used in the World War II.

You should be influential and know how to manipulate people. This can be very important in certain cases. A Ninja should always be privy to the people’s desires, needs and wants. These can be used as leverage against them. A true Ninja is a master of himself. To master ones ‘self, learn to cut emotions out of the decision making, engage in rational and logical thinking no matter what the situation, make tactical decisions that may upset one’s ego and, most importantly, make decisions for situations as if you are giving someone else advice. If you are unable to do this as a Ninja, you might as well be digging your own grave. Probably the most obvious thing for a Ninja is to maintain his mental and physical health. As a Ninja you don’t necessary need to be lean and muscular. You, however, need to build endurance, agility, strength, and flexibility. For a Ninja, his body is a tool, and as long as it can perform the functions of a Ninja, it’s a very valuable tool. In fact, you probably don’t want to become too fit. Being too fit may be counterproductive, especially if you stand out as being the only slim or muscular person in the room. Ninjas are usually very knowledgeable. As they say, with knowledge comes power. Your knowledge can help you become more resourceful and also help you blend in more easily. To maintain your mental health, practice meditation. Perhaps not traditional meditation, but meditation based on complete awareness of your actions. Train your mind to be completely aware of your actions when the need arises, for prolonged periods of time. Lastly, remember that a Ninja is the master of sabotage, infiltration, and martial arts. Here is a short list of skills, weaponry and equipment you will need as a Ninja:                  

Seishin-teki kyōyō (spiritual refinement) Taijutsu (unarmed combat, using one's body as the only weapon) Kenjutsu (sword fighting) Bōjutsu (stick and staff fighting) Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades) Sōjutsu (spear fighting) Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting) Sui-ren (water training) Bōryaku (tactic) Chōhō (espionage) Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment) Tenmon (meteorology) Kusarigamajutsu (chain and sickle weapon) Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics and explosives) Hensōjutsu (disguise & impersonation) Chi-mon (geography) Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods) Bajutsu (horsemanship)

I wish you luck with your endeavor, and hope that I have helped you understand the Ninjutsu discipline better. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu, Sensei.