Ninjutsu: The Art of Survival

Kinesiology has offered me many experiences, but none of which compares to that of my experience while completing this assignment. I was honoured to have the opportunity to observe a class in Ninjutsu at the Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo, given by the Sensei. It was a new experience for me and I feel as though my perspective on the Martial Arts has been changed completely. Ninjutsu offers something that modern martial arts often neglect, a constant evolvement for both students and practitioner, where even a Grandmaster will practice the most basic techniques. According to Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi (founder of Bujinkan), one must understand two principles about Ninjutsu, one is that Ninjutsu is the very backbone of the martial arts and the second being that Ninjutsu shows us the true, divine intent of the martial arts (spiritual significance) (2004, p.16). Individuals trained in this art are called Ninja, who protect themselves through techniques of sensation, awareness and avoidance of unnecessary conflict (Hatsumi, 2004, p.16). The body of knowledge contained in this art is beyond my complete understanding because of its complexity, but I will try to give the reader a view into the art and its relevance to the field of Kinesiology.

Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo was founded in 1995 and focuses mainly on the Ninja fighting arts. The students study Ninpo which is often interchanged with Ninjutsu, but for the sake of this paper I will refer to the training as Ninjutsu. Within Ninjutsu there are 36 arts, 18 Samuri arts and 18 specialized Ninja arts. Students are taken through a program that consists of all 36, but the dojo focuses mainly on the Ninja fighting arts. Students learn unarmed skills (Taijutsu), staff skills (Bojutsu), sword skills (Bikenjutsu) and moral and spiritual training (Seishin Teki Kyoyo). Students may also explore self defence (Goshenjutsu), which helps them adapt to a changing society. (Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo, n.d.)

Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo is part of an organization called Bujinkan that was established by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi in Japan during the late seventies. Bujinkan has spread worldwide with its membership exceeding 200,000. It was established in order to preserve the teaching given to Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi from his teacher Grandmaster Toshitsugu Takamatsu. The core of the organization is to help students comprehend the innate bodily movement required when confronted with danger. (Bujinkan International, n.d.) The organization also has very specific guidelines for membership that each member must adhere to. These guidelines must be read and understood by the candidate and need to be strictly followed or expulsion will occur. As well there are five laws outlined and the rule of the dojo is to adhere to the five laws. (Bujinkan International Guidelines, n.d.)

When I first entered the dojo, I was unsure as to how I should act toward other students and the Sensei, but I was taught to be respectful of others and to those who posses wisdom and experience beyond my own. I could feel the level of respect in the room toward the Sensei from his students, who always gave their utmost attention to him. This is something that I admire about Ninjutsu, the focus on tradition, history and culture that is not just attached to the techniques, but also to the interaction between student and teacher. I observed that each time a student exited or walked into a room they would bow and when the Sensei would speak or give instructions, the students would stop, listen, bow and continue.

The class began with the Sensei making reference to calligraphy and art, emphasizing tradition and history as well as to the fact that each technique has tradition, history and culture attached to it. I could see that in this art the focus is not just on the physical aspects, but the mental and spiritual as well. It seems logical and it was emphasized by the Sensei, that one must cultivate all three in order to be successful and balanced properly. This art focuses on the human being as a whole and not just developing technique and force. The Sensei was very eloquent and caring when speaking to his students, which to me embodies a true teacher who cares for his students and their well bring, as well as cultivating them mentally and spiritually.

The next part of the lesson was the opening ceremony, where the students lined up in order of ranking and faced the same direction as the Sensei. The Sensei and his students were also kneeling in the same direction. The Sensei said the phrase, “Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo” and it is repeated by the students, who then clap twice, bow, clap once, and bow again. This phrase can be roughly translated to mean that in every encounter (essence) there is a chance for enlightenment. After the phrase has been said, the students ask to be taught by the Sensei, and at the end of the lesson they follow the same progression, but thank the Sensei instead. This emphasizes the aspect of tremendous respect I mentioned earlier that was evident to me as soon as I entered the Dojo. The Sensei was adamant in his explanation to me that the traditions performed by the class require a deep understanding that cannot be learned through texts or the internet. Only through experience and practice of the art firsthand, can a person truly appreciate and understand it.

The Sensei then asked one of his more senior students to lead a warm-up that consisted of multiple kicking drills and rolling drills. For the main part of the lesson, the Sensei gave the students multiple drills that got progressively harder, putting into practice concepts used when training athletes. A student or athlete must learn the simple techniques well before they can put them together into a harmonious movement. This is why I believe that observing a more advanced class provides a better insight into an art. One can see how simple movements are put together into single technically complex movements. As well as how much technique goes into movements that may seem simple, but require a certain finesse, that only someone who has practiced them can perform.

While observing all of the drills done by the students I could see that technique was strongly emphasized by the Sensei. Power or degree of force were not the ultimate focus, even though I have been accustomed to that idea when exposed to the more modern martial arts. The Sensei also focused on the idea that a student must be able to see his weaknesses and correct them, before someone else does. While the Sensei is there to guide you, a student is the only one who can truly perfect a technique, because they are the ones practicing it. The relationship between partners was also brought up, with the Sensei emphasizing that as a partner you must make your counterpart feel as though they are being attacked, in order to properly prepare them.

Prior to ending the class, the Sensei sat the students down in the same formation as was done at commencement. He spoke about the history attached to the art they were practising as well as the importance of technique and the need to protect and preserve life. The Sensei made a final comment that was as powerful as his knowledge and experience in the art. He stated that many things are hidden in Ninjutsu and that the rewards take time, therefore one must be patient, trust, have an honest heart, open mind and a willingness to learn. This comment stuck with me because I feel that if a person were to adapt that statement to everything they do in life, the possibilities would be endless. Ninjutsu is an art that requires a lot from a person, but with those requirements come tremendous and endless rewards.

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to interview the Sensei at the Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo. He explained to me much of what I have said within this paper regarding the art of Ninjutsu. His dojo is part of a now worldwide organization called the Bujinkan that was created by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. This organization was created to honour Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi’s teacher, Grandmaster Toshitsugu Takamatsu and to disseminate the knowledge and traditions of Ninjutsu. The benefits to practicing this art, according to the Sensei are limitless and he also explained to me that the benefits can be seen in the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of an individual’s life. Within the physical domain, it helps an individual to protect themselves both internally and externally. It does the same within the mental and spiritual domains, by protecting the individual both internally and externally as well.

When questioned about the essence of the art, he stated that it is human life that is the essence of Ninjutsu. Boundless was the answer given to me when asking about the boundaries that accompany the art. He explained that the art is alive and ever evolving, thus a teacher is always a student, because there is always something to be learned. When asked about the impact it has had on him, the first thing that came to his mind was the fact that he is a student before he is a teacher. He continued by saying that as he grows within the art his students grow as well, and it has taught him about patience, effort and will. Those three concepts were alluded to in his closing speech at the end of the lesson, mentioned earlier in this report. His final comment was that even his teacher, who is a Grandmaster, still practices the most basic of techniques within this art. This comment emphasizes the fact that in Ninjutsu, one is always evolving and growing even at the highest levels, still practising and refining the most basic of elements in the art.

The class that I was able to observe was that of a more advanced nature and I was able to interview a student that was present. When asked about the origins of the art he explained to me the concepts relating to Ninja and Samuri, alluding to the differences between the two. As reported earlier, Ninjutsu consists of 36 categories, 18 of which are Ninja arts and 18 of which are Samuri arts. As one can probably tell this art essentially brings two different worlds together into one complex art known as Ninjutsu. Benefits were the next topic and the student explained his own situation and how practicing this art has been beneficial for him in his life. The art for him is fun to practice, technically comprehensive and incorporates weapons as well as a strong linkage to an international organization. It has also taught him to have an increased level of control in confrontations as well as philosophy and good moral values. His levels of discipline and focus have also improved as well as his own bodily attunement. His final statement about the benefits of practising Ninjutsu was that there are essentially endless.

Survival was the concept that the student alluded to when asked about the essence of the art, which goes back to the comment made by the Sensei, that the essence is human life. This idea was also apparent in Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi’s book, “The Way of the Ninja”, where he explains that the important thing in martial arts is to survive (2004, p. 16). The interview was ended off by the student explaining the impact Ninjutsu has had on him personally. He spoke about his own personal growth within the art, through struggle, that ultimately taught him patience, awareness, respect and appreciation for physical activity. His overall experience could be summed up as a very positive and beneficial one that has helped him to grow and overcome limitations.

The content contained within the course, “Body as a Weapon”, connects on many levels to the martial arts and specifically to the art of Ninjutsu. Many of the concepts alluded to in this report, when explaining Ninjutsu, have been studied and experienced in lecture, as well as with guest lectures. The assigned readings by DeBecker, Grossman and Kane emphasize the ideas of awareness and readiness when it comes to confrontational situations. Ninjutsu, as explained by Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi connects to this idea as well. Ninja train in this art, and use techniques of sensation, awareness and avoidance of unnecessary conflict to protect themselves (Hatsumi, 2004, p. 16). This concept of awareness was not just alluded to in the readings, but also in lectures given by guests. The representative from the Shaolin Temple showed us how to become aware of our own bodies through sensations and proper breathing exercises. The professor teaching the course also placed strong emphasis on the concept of awareness in our daily lives and that if a person is able to be aware, not just mentally but physically, they can ultimately protect themselves without ever being in a confrontation.

There is another connection that can be made between the course and Ninjutsu, and it is that if you are in a life or death situation, preservation of life is the most important aspect. Ninjutsu teaches avoidance strategies such as rolling and stealth, whereas in the course we were taught that if you can run away, do so as soon as possible in order to avoid bodily harm and preserve your life. Therefore it seems that a parallel idea can be seen in both the course and the art of Ninjutsu and that is of survival at all costs. Although a person must remember that in order to survive, they must be willing to take a life in order to save a life as well. An idea introduced in the first lecture of the course and an idea that the Sensei explained to his students in the lesson I observed, the need to protect and preserve life.

Kinesiology is a field of study that encompasses the human experience in all of its facets. As a student in the field I have been able to experience that which would otherwise stay foreign to me, were I to study another subject. It seems that as a human being one must be able to be attuned to their bodies and be present in the moment, in order to really experience life. Kinesiology tries to explore all of the facets within a person’s life, such as the physical, mental and spiritual, and the art of Ninjutsu puts all of it into practice. The art of Ninjutsu encompasses what this field tries to convey to its students, that human life is precious and must be preserved. Through an understanding of how the body and mind operate, incorporating the spiritual aspects as well, a Kinesiology student is better prepared to live a fulfilling life and educate others in what it means to be human. Similarly a student in Ninjutsu acquires the skills and understanding required to not just live a life full of peace, but to preserve human life as well. The preservation of human life and its cultivation, whether it be through defending others or educating them on current health issues, is a concept that connects the art of Ninjutsu and the field of Kinesiology.

About the author: Zev Herskovits. Is a fourth year student at York University in the Kinesiology and Health Science program. I have spent the past few years studying the human body, how it moves and operates, and I plan on continuing my studies in the area of Physiotherapy. This report was part of a course that overlooked the martial arts and combat training throughout history, emphasizing the concept of a warrior. It is my hope that this paper will provide an easy to read introduction into the complex and content rich art of Ninjutsu.

References

Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo. (n.d.). Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo. Retrieved from http://www.bufuikan.com/arts/bufuikan

Bujinkan International. (n.d.). Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo. Retrieved from http://www.bufuikan.com/arts/bujinkan/

Bujinkan International Guidelines. (n.d.). Bufu Ikan Ko Ryu Dojo. Retrieved from http://www.bufuikan.com/guidelines/

Hatsumi, M. (2004). The Way of the Ninja: Secret Techniques. Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha International Ltd.

Note. For further information on the topics discussed in this report please visit: http://www.bufuikan.com and http://www.bujinkan.com