Ninpo, Ninjutsu, and Ninja

When people ask me about the style of martial arts I train in and teach, I always make sure to approach it from a very specific angle. This is because if someone uses the term Ninjutsu or Ninja, people tend to have a variety of pre-conceived ideas about what that means.

A good instructor in the art is certain to properly frame what they teach as part of the education. In order to understand the art let’s first start with the term ‘Ninja’. This term, while commonly used to refer to practitioners of Ninjutsu, is not the only one historically used. In Ninpo Secrets, by Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura, it is written that there were numerous names used depending on the era and area. Other names include ‘Shinobi no mono’, ‘Kusa’, ‘Kan’, etc.

The term ‘Ninja’ when broken down can mean ’a person that endures’.  It is this broad sense of perserverance that I believe is taught in training to deal with all of lifes challenges. In historical context the prime use of the Ninja within the Sengoku Period (warring era) of Japan was that of intelligence. A parallel can be drawn to modern day Intelligence Organizations such as the CIA. To paint with a broad brush and label historical Ninja ’assasins’ is not just incorrect, but misleading. The art then that was practiced known as ‘Ninjutsu’, included unarmed and armed defensive methods, meteorology and geography, concealment methods, and more.

I believe the true mission that we can fufill is that of humanity and justice. It begins first with ourselves and spreads naturally to those we come in contact with and our communities. By bettering ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually we become a beacon of light to those around us. Tanemura Soke says that we are as Warrior Priests, because we are there to aid others emotionally and spiritually with compassion and humanity, and physically for those who cannot defend themselves. This is the spirit of Ninpo.

Ninpo encompasses Ninjutsu. Commonly within Genbukan training we refer to the 36 Sections of Ninpo training, called, Ninpo Sanjurokkei. Of these 36, the two that are the most important are Taijutsu and Seishin Tekikyo Yo.

Ninpo Taijutsu is ‘Unarmed Defense’ and is the foundation for all of the martial side of the art. By training hard in this you can more easily learn other sections such as weapons training. Ninpo Taijutsu can be broken down into the following:

1. Taihen-jutsu: This includes evasion practice including body movements, rolling, and so on.

2. Dakken Taijutsu: These are various striking methods utilizing the entire body.

3. Jutai-jutsu: These are ‘grappling’ methods including throwing, joint manipulation, choking, and so on.

4. Kosshi-jutsu: Pressure point attacking.

5. Koppo-jutsu: Bone attacks. Together, Kosshi-jutsu and Koppo-jutsu, were known as Kyusho-jutsu, which is utilizing any weak points of the body.

In our practice we study Koryu and Gendai. Our studies which are taught from tradional lineages (Ryu-ha). The Ryu-ha, some of which are very ancient, are handed down from Grandmaster to Grandmaster through time in order to preserve its teachings. My teacher, Tanemura Soke, preserves over 23 of these ancient systems. The oldest mastership being 58 generations long.

To train in these Old Style (Koryu) Systems is in a way to be a curator of a living museum. There are some parts that have there place in history such as training in Samurai armor (Yoroi Kumiuchi). But the body moves the same way and has the same parts as it did hundreds of years ago.

So the lessons are timeless. Even with the example of Samurai armor, one could compare those principles to the body armor worn by modern day police officers and soldiers. By adapting principles to modern scenarios we may face, we are practicing the modern side to our art (Gendai).

Taijutsu is taught as a ‘battlefield art’, in that within its system of defense, it is based on survival and does not follow any set rules of what is allowed.

This I believe is an important reason for Seishintekikyo Yo, or ‘Spiritual Refinement’. By adhering to moral virtues we comprehend that just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should. Our lives are filled with a balance of justice and compassion. Soke teaches that developing our hearts and spirits is much more important than the martial side.

In the Genbukan method of training the spiritual and physical are entwined. I believe this is better understood by ‘feeling’ the training, rather than through simple study and research. We begin and end class with a light meditation to clear and focus the mind. Throughout training we attempt to maintain a ‘moving meditation’. This is also important for safety as well. We bring to training our strengths and weakenesses in order to forge ourselves.

So by understanding the distinctions of Ninpo, Ninjutsu, and Ninja, we can better represent the art as ambassadors. We are able to approach training in this ancient art from the right direction, and carry it forward as a complete martial art.

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This was written by Mark Bramble based on his personal training and study.
Please do not re-post this without written permission.