Ninjutsu martial art

•NINJUTSU:

Ninjutsu is one of the best martial art. It is a non-traditional martial arts.. It's mainly focused on tricks.. It's founded in feudal Japan. It was practiced as guerilla welfare and unconventional welfare by the so called Ninjas.

In the ancient time in Japan, Ninjutsu was used to assassinate and kill targets..  It was also used to spy and scout. TheRasengan is an example of ninjutsu.
Ninjutsu  is one of the three main jutsu categories. Ninjutsu is the most nebulous of the three, and may most simply be described as anything that is not genjutsu or taijutsu. Most ninjutsu require chakra and hand seals, but this is not always the case since the mere usage of weaponry qualifies as ninjutsu. The huge range of ninjutsu's uses is illustrated by its several sub-classifications: medical ninjutsu, reincarnation ninjutsu, space–time ninjutsu, barrier ninjutsu, sealing jutsu, and cursed seal jutsu.

Most ninjutsu use shape transformation, which deals with controlling the form and movement of the ninjutsu, while nature transformation deals with changing the ninjutsu's physical properties. Ninjutsu that use nature transformation tend to follow a naming convention of their nature type followed by a more specific name. With practice and experience, certain ninjutsu can become second nature to a ninja, allowing them to perform it at will.

In order to understand the history of Ninjutsu or the ninja, one has to totally release these terms as they only represent how we currently see Ninjutsu. Unlike other martial arts, Ninjutsu has no “founded here” point in history, but through a deeper understanding of Japanese history, references can be made to appreciate Ninjutsu’s place in time. I hope that doesn’t discourage you from reading on, but it’s complexity is the simple truth. The word “Shinobi” is a much better term to find historical reference to the ninja as we know it. The Hojo Godai-ki uses other terms for ninja such as rappa and seppa, while the Koyo Gunkan uses kagimono-kiki.

In the 6th century BC, the Sonbu no heiho contained early Japanese military strategy. It was made up of teachings from the famous Sun Zi, author of  “Art of War” (6th century BC), Se Ma (same period), and Zi (3rd century BC). According to historians, there is a chapter at the end of this book that contains the fundamentals of Ninjutsu. Was Ninjutsu the martial art that made the teachings of Sun Zi about deception and invisibility possible?

As immigrants began to arrive in Japan from China and Korea, the styles of kenpo (Chinese martial art using bare hands and weapons), and genjutsu (techniques of illusion and conjuring) were mixed with the local techniques of Japan. Among these immigrants were warrior monks and military personnel that settled in mountainous areas where they met the yamabushi (hermits of the mountains). These mountain hermits, warrior monks, and ascetics used early forms of Ninjutsu. It was in this time that these yamabushi developed the mysterious and supernatural persona of the ninja we know today. Even though these warriors remained separated from society, many senior government officials and warrior families maintained close relationships to these yamabushi who, at times, carried out jobs that needed to be kept secret.

To fully understand Ninjutsu as a martial art, one must first comprehend the combat culture of Japan in that era. You will see the use of Shinobi by the elite class (Emperors, Princes) and shoguns (military leaders equivalent to generals).

Historical periods of Japanese History that reference Shinobi:
Paleolithic Age (50,000 – 12,000 BC)
Jomon period (14,000 – 300 BC) First signs of stable living patterns
Yayoi period (c.221 BC – 574 AD) New weaving and farming techniques, and iron and bronze making
Sendai period (587 – 700) Otomo Sainyu hired as a Shinobi under Prince Shotoku who introduced Buddhism to Japan in 538, Bito Takobi hired as a Shinobi by Emperor Tenmu
Nara period (710 – 758) The Golden Age, Yamabushi Heiho (strategies and combat methods of the mountain hermits and ascetics) developed from Chinese combat strategies. (early Ninjutsu)
Heian period (794 – 1185) Abe Seimei creates his own version of Onmyodo which is then added to the Yamabushi Heiho. Onmyodo (the way of yin and yang) and Shugendo (Buddhist ascetics), greatly influence Ninjutsu practitioners of this time. Fujiwara Chikado, Koga Saburo, and Hattori are first ninja families to appear in Iga. Minamoto no Yoshitsune creates Yoshitsune-ryu Ninjutsu. Ninja families rise in influence in Iga
ninjutsu history

Feudal Japan (1185 – 1603) Japan dominated by daimyo, powerful regional families, and shogun, military warlords. Daisuke Togakure creates Togakure ryu Ninjutsu during this period.
Kamakura period (1192 – 1336) Medieval era, it’s named after the seaside town Kamakura where the first line of shoguns ruled. Mongols invaded in 1274 and 1281 but were repelled by a famous typhoon called kamikaze (translated divine wind). Zen arrives in Japan from China. Creation of Kusunoki-ryu Ninjutsu by Kusunoki Masashige, Kusunoki uses Ninjutsu for political influence
Kemmu restoration (1333 – 1336) Kamakura shogunate overthrown, formation of Northern and Southern Courts
Nambokucho period (1338 – 1487) Ashikage shogunate rules from (1336 – 1573)
Muromachi period (1392 – 1573) The last shogun, Ashikage Yoshiaki, driven out by Oda Nobunaga.
Sengoku period (1495 – 1580) Period of Warring Kingdoms. In 1540, a Portuguese ship blown off course (another kamikaze?), landed on Tanegashima Island, introducing firearms as the major innovation during this period. 1532, jujutsu created by Takenouchi Hisamor. Golden age of Ninjutsu, the art flourishes and the first manuscripts of transmission of the knowledge are made. Many ninja families listed for Iga and Koga ninja. Jesuit missionaries arrived in Kyoto in 1549, converting many Japanese, but by the 1620s the Jesuits were expelled and Christianity was banned.
Momoyama period, (1581 – 1603) Oda Nobunaga led the campaign, killing many Buddhist priests and ninja. Nobunaga seizes the Iga province. Nobunaga assassinated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Koga ninjas. Hideyoshi dies after a succession of failed campaigns against China’s Ming Dynasty and Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun in 1603 employing ninja from Koga and Iga.
Early Modern Edo or Tokugawa period (1603 – 1867) An era of peace, where power was centralized by hereditary shogunate in a class society. Progressive dismantling of ninja groups, technical science and knowledge begin to disappear from Ninjutsu, methods forgotten little by little. Sakoku period (1639) of isolation began and ended with gunboat diplomacy by the U.S., establishing Japan U.S. treaty in 1854. The Onmitsu appeared after an installed network of information and reinforced monitoring of various strongholds.
Modern Japan – present (1868 – present) Policy imperialism developed and the need for a mixture of military police force and spy network was created with a mix of the Onmitsu and the ninja. Kenpeitai, military police force created. The Nakano school is created to train spies similar to the ninja.
The Development of Bugei

ninjutsu historyAs you see, Japan went through an intense time of war which gave rise to bugei. Bugei (arts “gei” of war “bu”), was the mastery of weapons used in war, while bujutsu (techniques “jutsu” of war “bu”) included all aspects of war including horsemanship. The mastery over these weapons and techniques during this time began to be classified as the samurais of the Kamakura period came to power. These “bugei juhappan” were the 18 warrior disciplines the gave birth to combat schools called ryu-h or ryu taught taught to an elite class. For Japan this was the beginning of a martial arts system taught for profit whereby the practitioner would receive a certificate proving his master over levels (kiri-gami), certificates of complete license from the school (inka), and an index of the school’s techniques (mokuroku).

Keep in mind that the warrior arts up to a certain period were very inflexible and linear. Just imagine wearing the armor used in battle, it was heavy and probably limited movement, although the bujutsu at that time included techniques with and without armor. As times changed and armor wasn’t used as much, the need for techniques and movement for unarmed combat became crucial. With the introduction of the firearm by the Portugese in 1540, and an impending Western threat, times had changed culturally and traditional Japanese knowledge and warrior tradition gave way to Western techniques in industry.

Around this period (1860 – 1930), Kano Jigoro founded Judo (the way of flexibility) from a mx of ancient Japanese warrior traditions and Western thought. In the 1920s Karate came in from neighboring Okinawan islands from Funakoshi Gishin (1868 – 1957). Ueshiba Morihei (1883 – 1969), the founder of aikido, made great strides combining traditional bujutsu with a deep spiritual connection. Jujutsu had been around since the Sengoku period of the Muromachi period in 1532 and was founded by Takenouchi Hisamor.

Ninjutsu stands alone

Ninjutsu, on the other hand, took a totally different path. Ninjutsu is not bujutsu, nor can it be classified as a competition art. Unlike other martial arts where you directly face your opponent while performing a set of moves, the Shinobi is like a ghost to the opponent. In English, it means “the art of remaining unseen” or “the invisible art,” but to achieve this deceptive persona, one has to acquire iron discipline. Deception, in any martial art is a great weapon, and no other art deals with deception better than Ninjutsu. The ninja controls time and information, specializing in evasion and direct, rapid action. It is no wonder why the lords of feudal Japan kept Ninjutsu practitioners nearby.

As you’ve seen throughout history, it was their ability to control time and information that made the ninja so sought after by the elite and warrior class. Albeit obscure, Ninjutsu has been around a very long time and continues to survive in the present moment. When you see military forces such as Rangers, Seals, or Black Ops, you are seeing the modern practices and techniques of the ancient art of Ninjutsu being weaved in with the modern world’s need of it. I’m so happy to be a part of this history and tradition of these ancient warriors that still walk the Earth today.

There are many benefits in practicing ninjutsu.

1. Exercise is the best way to improve your fitness.  It also increase the stamina, physical fitness.

2.Learn self-defense. In addition to toning your body and enhancing your mind, spirit, Ninjutsu martial arts teach you to defend yourself. You’ll be able to fend off an attacker should the need arise. Even kids who are often picked on in school can learn to defend themselves against bullies with Ninjutsu martial arts
Increase your self-confidence. As your body and mind, spirit becomes stronger, so will your self-image. As your skill and physical capabilities improve, you’ll begin to feel more confident. You’ll look forward to looking in the mirror each morning instead of dreading it, and meeting new people will become an exciting adventure.

3. As your body,  mind become stronger..it will also increase your self confidence.
It will give you piece.

4. Relieve your stress. NinjutsuMartial arts provide a tremendous outlet for frustration and stress. Besides releasing pent-up stress, when you’re focused on learning the skills and techniques in a class, you’ll keep your mind off of the bills you have to pay or the challenges of your workday.

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