Explanations of Ninjutsu Training

The kihon kata, or fundamental practice guides, of ninjutsu unarmed fighting are the first steps toward mastery of the use of mind and body as a total entity. The techniques are initially practiced with the consciousness directed towards understanding the purpose and practical application of the physical movements. Next, the student begins to work on making the technique a natural part of his knowledge; in effect, allowing his body to develop the natural ability to perform the technique, and becomes yet one more variation of the body and personality to handle things in an effective manner.

The specific techniques themselves number in the thousands, and include countless variations. The students are not expected to memorize the movements of each technique, but rather work on internalizing the principles embodied by the techniques. The vast amount of memorization would distract the student from concentrating on and acknowledging his current abilities. His training would involve too much emphasis on “becoming” skilled in the future instead of “being” skilled, to the fullest degree possible, in the present. Extensive memorization of external forms of movement also reduces the student’s familiarity with natural spontaneous action, hindering development of mind and body integration. This spontaneity, or automatically responding with the appropriate reaction to the elements of the circumstances, is a crucial skill for successful self-protection. The ninja is prepared to adapt to any situation that confronts him, and is not tempted to force the situation to fit the parameters of some specialized training system.

The fundamental techniques can be classified in three broad categories of action. Taihenjutsu includes all methods of individual body moment; the breakfalls, rolls, leaps, and walking methods unique to ninjutsu. Dakentaijutsu includes the strikes, kicks, and punches, as well as blocking techniques of the ninja unarmed fighting system. Jutaijutsu is the grappling method for throwing, choking, locking, and escaping the restraining holds of others. Actual self-protection, whether fighting an animal or another human being or surviving a fall from a moving vehicle, is always a string of instants in which we relate our body and consciousness to external forces. The broad scope of ninjutsu training has therefore evolved to include methods to handle anything. The man who is only trained to punch will encounter greater difficulty in situations where his punching skills are ineffective or inappropriate. The grappling expert will be frustrated by the adversary who stays outside his reach and strikes at his grabbing limbs. True proficiency in self-protection comes from a blending of all areas of skill with the body, and cannot result from the dangerous and limiting concept of “developing a specialty.”