LEAVING NO TRACE
In Ninjutsu, it is essential that as little evidence of the methods used remains for the enemy to
study. Thus, we strive to leave no trace of our passing for the enemy to follow.
When being pursued, and the enemy cannot be outrun, the options are few. The Ninja can
stand and fight, in which event the foremost enemy should be killed as savagely as possible,
striking terror into the hearts of his fellows. Or, he can shake off the enemy by means of’ false
trails carrying the pursuit away from his actual position.
One method of shaking off the enemy is known as the false exit. Gaining sufficient lead
from the enemy to escape his view, open a door or gate and leave it ajar as you pass. Few people
will leave an outside door open, and virtually no security installation would tolerate it. The
enemy in hot pursuit would be faced with the decision of which path to take. At the least, this
should induce him to divide his forces.
A similar technique is known as disturbing the dust. It calls for leaving footprints in an area
where they can be seen by the enemy. Running by means of the Heng Pu leaves tracks which
seem to travel in both directions at once. Back-tracking is a variation of this. It involves allowing
the enemy to overrun your concealed position as he follows a previously prepared trail, then
doubling back to your real intent.
Chia Ying, or the false shadow, is a technique for using an S-shaped candle to hide the
Ninja’s position. In ancient times, such a candle could be hung on projecting cornices or brush,
giving the impression that the assassin was standing holding a candle where there were no
places to set one. Modern police officers utilize a similar technique in holding their flashlights
away from the body. A suspect would naturally assume the light to be in front of the body and
fire at that.
Ametori no jutsu is probably the most famous method of concealing the true escape route. It
is based old the principle that a raincoat always implies the presence of the person inside. Thus,
a cloak or suit of armor could be positioned so that it appeared to be a person standing, producing
the same effect as a scarecrow.
Whenever possible it is advisable to create confusion in the enemy. Overlook nothing. Utilize
meteorological phenomena such as rain, a sudden flash of lightning, the passing of the moon
behind a cloud, blinding sunlight, and deceptive moonlight. All should be considered.
Fire is an excellent diversion which will create confusion. Fire at strategic sites in the camp
is best used to cover escape rather than entry, since it will arouse the enemy and put him on
guard. Fire on the perimeter can be used to drive tile enemy back.
Lastly, consider terminating the trail. The ancient Ninja were masters of this. Lead the enemy
to a precipice and disappear, leaving no trace; lead the enemy into a trap; or lead the enemy
to an intersection leaving no clue as to which path was taken. In short, escape his pursuit
in such a manner that he will believe you have vanished into thin air. To accomplish this, one
must be a master of lnpo.
study. Thus, we strive to leave no trace of our passing for the enemy to follow.
When being pursued, and the enemy cannot be outrun, the options are few. The Ninja can
stand and fight, in which event the foremost enemy should be killed as savagely as possible,
striking terror into the hearts of his fellows. Or, he can shake off the enemy by means of’ false
trails carrying the pursuit away from his actual position.
One method of shaking off the enemy is known as the false exit. Gaining sufficient lead
from the enemy to escape his view, open a door or gate and leave it ajar as you pass. Few people
will leave an outside door open, and virtually no security installation would tolerate it. The
enemy in hot pursuit would be faced with the decision of which path to take. At the least, this
should induce him to divide his forces.
A similar technique is known as disturbing the dust. It calls for leaving footprints in an area
where they can be seen by the enemy. Running by means of the Heng Pu leaves tracks which
seem to travel in both directions at once. Back-tracking is a variation of this. It involves allowing
the enemy to overrun your concealed position as he follows a previously prepared trail, then
doubling back to your real intent.
Chia Ying, or the false shadow, is a technique for using an S-shaped candle to hide the
Ninja’s position. In ancient times, such a candle could be hung on projecting cornices or brush,
giving the impression that the assassin was standing holding a candle where there were no
places to set one. Modern police officers utilize a similar technique in holding their flashlights
away from the body. A suspect would naturally assume the light to be in front of the body and
fire at that.
Ametori no jutsu is probably the most famous method of concealing the true escape route. It
is based old the principle that a raincoat always implies the presence of the person inside. Thus,
a cloak or suit of armor could be positioned so that it appeared to be a person standing, producing
the same effect as a scarecrow.
Whenever possible it is advisable to create confusion in the enemy. Overlook nothing. Utilize
meteorological phenomena such as rain, a sudden flash of lightning, the passing of the moon
behind a cloud, blinding sunlight, and deceptive moonlight. All should be considered.
Fire is an excellent diversion which will create confusion. Fire at strategic sites in the camp
is best used to cover escape rather than entry, since it will arouse the enemy and put him on
guard. Fire on the perimeter can be used to drive tile enemy back.
Lastly, consider terminating the trail. The ancient Ninja were masters of this. Lead the enemy
to a precipice and disappear, leaving no trace; lead the enemy into a trap; or lead the enemy
to an intersection leaving no clue as to which path was taken. In short, escape his pursuit
in such a manner that he will believe you have vanished into thin air. To accomplish this, one
must be a master of lnpo.
MUGEI-MUMEI-NO-JUTSU
(No Name, No Art)
Ninjutsu as revealed herein is essentially a pragmatic art. It will employ any technique from
any source which will serve its purpose. It strives always to be one with the natural order of
things. This is the true meaning of passing without leaving a trace.
It is said that the Ninja can walk through walls; that when they are looked for, they cannot be
seen; when listened for, they cannot be heard; and when they are felt for, they cannot be
touched. A Ninja never swaggers-his gait is firm and straight ahead. He neither makes a show
of force, nor beats his own drum. This is known as Mugei-Mumei no-Jutsu, "no name, no art."
The Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tsu as the request of a gatekeeper as he was leaving mankind
in disgust after years of teaching enlightenment to ancient Chinese who squandered his
words and wasted his lessons echoed this sentiment in one of the eight-one short poems in
which he summarized all that he had learned. “Work is done, then forgotten. Thus, it lasts forever.
” Taking credit inevitably leads to accepting blame. The Ninja had many injunctions
against revealing the identity or the nature of their Art, destroying the weapon used to kill an
enemy, for example. It is unlikely that sophisticated enough techniques existed in feudal Japan
to make such evidence damning. The main reason it was done was to help the Agent purge himself
of the horrible deed he had been forced to perform. The Ninja are not mindless, blindly
obedient slaves as seen in popular fiction. The are the only martial art intended to lead the Student
on a journey of Self Discovery, so that there is no need to impose one’s will on the world.
All the while providing the means whereby any individual could ruthlessly claw his way to
power. IF he but choose to. The Game is not to kill the enemy. But rather to see him as lost and
helpless. The Ninja of old wandered the countryside, seeking a kingdom where the people were
happy and well fed. They would approach the ruler of such a tribe and offer to teach him the secrets
of longevity, that his empire might live long and his people prosper.
Such is the Great Work, the “secret teaching,” the reason for anonymity.
any source which will serve its purpose. It strives always to be one with the natural order of
things. This is the true meaning of passing without leaving a trace.
It is said that the Ninja can walk through walls; that when they are looked for, they cannot be
seen; when listened for, they cannot be heard; and when they are felt for, they cannot be
touched. A Ninja never swaggers-his gait is firm and straight ahead. He neither makes a show
of force, nor beats his own drum. This is known as Mugei-Mumei no-Jutsu, "no name, no art."
The Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tsu as the request of a gatekeeper as he was leaving mankind
in disgust after years of teaching enlightenment to ancient Chinese who squandered his
words and wasted his lessons echoed this sentiment in one of the eight-one short poems in
which he summarized all that he had learned. “Work is done, then forgotten. Thus, it lasts forever.
” Taking credit inevitably leads to accepting blame. The Ninja had many injunctions
against revealing the identity or the nature of their Art, destroying the weapon used to kill an
enemy, for example. It is unlikely that sophisticated enough techniques existed in feudal Japan
to make such evidence damning. The main reason it was done was to help the Agent purge himself
of the horrible deed he had been forced to perform. The Ninja are not mindless, blindly
obedient slaves as seen in popular fiction. The are the only martial art intended to lead the Student
on a journey of Self Discovery, so that there is no need to impose one’s will on the world.
All the while providing the means whereby any individual could ruthlessly claw his way to
power. IF he but choose to. The Game is not to kill the enemy. But rather to see him as lost and
helpless. The Ninja of old wandered the countryside, seeking a kingdom where the people were
happy and well fed. They would approach the ruler of such a tribe and offer to teach him the secrets
of longevity, that his empire might live long and his people prosper.
Such is the Great Work, the “secret teaching,” the reason for anonymity.