What a Ninja is
Ninja were the Ultimate Warriors of feudal Japan. Cloaked in darkness and secrecy, the
Ghost-Soldiers of the Invisible Fist struck fear into the hearts of their enemies and wreaked
havoc on those who incurred their wrath. The principles of these occult methods have not
changed and apply even today.
The principles and forms presented herein are intended for use by a lone individual.
Some Ninjitsu ryu (schools) advocate the use of such equipment as shuriken, grapples, shaken,
even poisons and firearms. These schools train to use or improvise any weapon that may further
the objective of the mission. There is much to be said for this approach, even among the schools
that practice invisibility such as the Black Dragon Ryu, Therefore, sections explaining the classical
Ninja weapons are included.
Yet, study of this Art does not require weapons of any sort. Sensei (teacher) once said,
"A naked man, alone, in an empty room, can practice Ninjitsu." One cannot move quickly and
silently when encumbered by various tools. And, if captured, these devices would certainly be
confiscated. What is one to do then?
Here then are the means to be invisible in the presence of the enemy, to penetrate unseen
anywhere, and to pass without leaving a trace.
This is the Silent Way of the Mystic-Knights, the Moonlit Path of the Shadow-Warrior,
the Invisible Assassins of Feudal Japan, the Ninja.
The beauty of these techniques is that they do not require a lifetime to master. Many
were developed by victims who were tired of being bullied but lacked the physical resources to
overcome the forces opposing them. Few people have such resources or the time to acquire
them. But, there are bullies aplenty. The student need only learn one technique and have the
courage to carry it out to free himself of oppression. Making war is not hard, keeping the peace
is hard. That is why the Ninja, who value peace and harmony above all else, have gone to such
great lengths over many centuries to canonize and preserve these methods. And why, because it
is so simple, the techniques have often been turned to revenge or used to raise and army
quickly. When there is no justice, the Ninja appear. They are not “called to action” by anyone.
They are just ordinary people in extraordinary situations. They need not have a “clan” or
“credentials” or even a great deal of training. They only need the Will.
The Ninja do what must be done, then it is forgotten. Princes and kings may gain some
temporary advantage through Force. But, the only lasting accomplishments are achieved
through Love.
This is the true lesson of Ninjitsu
Ghost-Soldiers of the Invisible Fist struck fear into the hearts of their enemies and wreaked
havoc on those who incurred their wrath. The principles of these occult methods have not
changed and apply even today.
The principles and forms presented herein are intended for use by a lone individual.
Some Ninjitsu ryu (schools) advocate the use of such equipment as shuriken, grapples, shaken,
even poisons and firearms. These schools train to use or improvise any weapon that may further
the objective of the mission. There is much to be said for this approach, even among the schools
that practice invisibility such as the Black Dragon Ryu, Therefore, sections explaining the classical
Ninja weapons are included.
Yet, study of this Art does not require weapons of any sort. Sensei (teacher) once said,
"A naked man, alone, in an empty room, can practice Ninjitsu." One cannot move quickly and
silently when encumbered by various tools. And, if captured, these devices would certainly be
confiscated. What is one to do then?
Here then are the means to be invisible in the presence of the enemy, to penetrate unseen
anywhere, and to pass without leaving a trace.
This is the Silent Way of the Mystic-Knights, the Moonlit Path of the Shadow-Warrior,
the Invisible Assassins of Feudal Japan, the Ninja.
The beauty of these techniques is that they do not require a lifetime to master. Many
were developed by victims who were tired of being bullied but lacked the physical resources to
overcome the forces opposing them. Few people have such resources or the time to acquire
them. But, there are bullies aplenty. The student need only learn one technique and have the
courage to carry it out to free himself of oppression. Making war is not hard, keeping the peace
is hard. That is why the Ninja, who value peace and harmony above all else, have gone to such
great lengths over many centuries to canonize and preserve these methods. And why, because it
is so simple, the techniques have often been turned to revenge or used to raise and army
quickly. When there is no justice, the Ninja appear. They are not “called to action” by anyone.
They are just ordinary people in extraordinary situations. They need not have a “clan” or
“credentials” or even a great deal of training. They only need the Will.
The Ninja do what must be done, then it is forgotten. Princes and kings may gain some
temporary advantage through Force. But, the only lasting accomplishments are achieved
through Love.
This is the true lesson of Ninjitsu
Erich Fromm, the noted psychologist, once said that "the function of any ethical system in
any given society is to sustain the life of that society." He neglected to mention that any system
can consider itself ethical. Thus it falls to the Ninja to determine which mission he will undertake.
Missions are divided into three major categories:
Sabotage includes disrupting the enemy camp as well as eliminating strategic points along
the enemy perimeter which will allow an assault to succeed.
Espionage deals with the gathering of intelligence about the enemy. This may be done surreptitiously,
or data gathered by the enemy may be boldly stolen.
Assassination is an art unto itself. It may take the form of poisons, booby traps, or murder.
Needless to say, the ability to get in and out without being discovered is a prerequisite.
A Ninja will not sacrifice himself needlessly, he will not be swayed by emotional appeals;
and he does not question the motives of those who would employ him. Should he accept their
commission, he will become their hands, and accomplish that which they could not.
Ninjitsu is a way of doing anything or nothing-simply being. Invisibility is merely the focus
of the art.
A Ninja does not surrender peaceably, nor does he carry on his person documents which
might implicate his superiors. The Ninja acts alone, relying on his own ability. He is one with
himself.
What will happen in one’s life is already written, but one must choose to be there. This is the
Way of Ninjitsu.
any given society is to sustain the life of that society." He neglected to mention that any system
can consider itself ethical. Thus it falls to the Ninja to determine which mission he will undertake.
Missions are divided into three major categories:
Sabotage includes disrupting the enemy camp as well as eliminating strategic points along
the enemy perimeter which will allow an assault to succeed.
Espionage deals with the gathering of intelligence about the enemy. This may be done surreptitiously,
or data gathered by the enemy may be boldly stolen.
Assassination is an art unto itself. It may take the form of poisons, booby traps, or murder.
Needless to say, the ability to get in and out without being discovered is a prerequisite.
A Ninja will not sacrifice himself needlessly, he will not be swayed by emotional appeals;
and he does not question the motives of those who would employ him. Should he accept their
commission, he will become their hands, and accomplish that which they could not.
Ninjitsu is a way of doing anything or nothing-simply being. Invisibility is merely the focus
of the art.
A Ninja does not surrender peaceably, nor does he carry on his person documents which
might implicate his superiors. The Ninja acts alone, relying on his own ability. He is one with
himself.
What will happen in one’s life is already written, but one must choose to be there. This is the
Way of Ninjitsu.