Are you one of the thousands interested in how to become a ninja? If so, and that's a big "if," you're looking to learn about authentic Japanese ninjutsu training, not what you've seen in the movies, cartoons, or on television, then this article might be helpful to you.
In it, I take a look at some of the many "faces" or aspects of authentic ninjutsu training, and why this system is so different from the more popular and conventional martial arts available.
First of all, let me share with you something that often confuses my newer students.
This is a belief that I have about ninjutsu training and why how to become a ninja - a real Ninja - is not what most people think it is.
What I'm going to say just might be a shock to you.
In fact, it might get you to stop reading altogether.
But, try to stay with me for a bit and hear me out.
Because I don't make this claim or assertion lightly.
Ready? In my opinion - and after over three decades of training in the shinobi warrior's methods of self-protection and personal development, I have come to believe that...
Ninjutsu is not a real martial art! Confused? Don't be.
And here's why I hold this belief to be true.
In the world of martial arts training, the majority of training is about what? Fighting and/or self-defense, right? And, as a "side-effect," you might develop some personal traits and life-skills like "respect," discipline," etc.
But, there is certainly little, if any, discussion about psychological warfare, assessing attacker-psychology, working your will without action, wilderness survival, and a whole plethora of subjects that are part and parcel of authentic ninjutsu training.
In fact, these skills are as much a part of how to become a ninja than the armed and unarmed combat training - maybe even more! To give you a better idea of what makes up Ninja training, here is a list of some of the training areas that you'll encounter along the way with a legitimate teacher: 1.
Ki-ai Jutsu - The use of sounds, shouts, and the direction of energy.
Instead of being just a bunch of martial-arty sounds yelled out during the performance of techniques and kata, this is an entire area of scientific study in the art of Ninjutsu.
2.
Armed and unarmed hand-to-hand combat methods.
Although this is what most people focus on, and there is a reason why the Ninja is seen as being on top of the proverbial "martial arts food chain," there is really nothing within the ninja self-defense method that you can't find in many other martial arts systems.
However, it's not the techniques or skills that sets the ninja warrior apart from more conventional martial artists, but rather his approach in applying these skills within the context of a situation.
3.
Distraction and manipulation tactics.
Often seen as "evil" or some sort of "cheating," the true warrior - Ninja or otherwise - understands that the ability to cause confusion, frustration or to "get into the head of the enemy," is a superior tactic, and is often more powerful than any physical technique used alone.
In the advanced levels of training, the training on how to become a ninja includes lessons in controlling and guiding the perceptions of the opponent, because the true ninja knows that if you can control his perceptions, then you control the way he thinks about, makes decisions about, and acts relative to what he believes to be true about you and the situation.
4.
Spiritual and personal clarity training.
Rather than being an after-thought, or something that happens "because" of your training, in the full scope of authentic ninjutsu training, this is what gives meaning behind why we do what we do.
Without the personal clarity about what we stand for, and under what circumstances we will act and why, a Ninja is no more than a thug in black clothing.
So, spiritual refinement and self-awareness training, known in Japanese as seishin teki kyoyo, is the "First" area of study - not the last or somewhere in-between! 5.
Escape and evasion strategies and tactics.
The ninja knows that it's not always a good idea to stay and fight.
Sometimes the odds are far to great, and the strategy then is to get out with your skin intact so you can live to fight another day - as the saying goes.
So, ninjutsu training involves not only lessons and techniques for escaping from locks, holds, and throw in a physical, self-defense situation, but also skills for wilderness survival and using the land for escape and evasion; the ability to operate many different types of vehicles; the use of fire and smoke to evade capture and "disappear," and much more! 6.
Meditation and the direction of the spirit.
Along the lines of personal development training, those truly seeking the lessons for how to become a ninja learn to guide, control, and sharpen their minds as a tool for creating better results.
So, meditation, observation, and visualization methods are used to hone the three primary functions of mind for increased focus and concentration, insight and observation, and the ability to plan and "see" alternate realities the ninja wants to "realize.
" Of course, there is so much more than what I have listed here.
In fact, in the Togakure-Ryu's ninjutsu training syllabus, there are eighteen areas of training required to become a ninja in that school alone.
The point here is that the lessons for how to become a ninja include a lot more than the fantasy super-hero antics most often seen portrayed in the media.
It is also very different, and a lot broader in scope, than what you will find in the conventional martial arts school.