Ninjutsu
The fighting arts of the Ninja.
It is hard to define Ninjutsu as one thing. Many perceive it as a style of fighting, a method to understand people or even the world. In reality, it is all of these and more.
The student who truly wishes to go beyond the relatively simple mastery of Taijutsu (the choice empty handed martial art of Ninjutsu) or other areas of it will find it is all encompassing. Ninjutsu is a lifestyle and is not easily attained because of its complexity. This is both in terms of its Philosophy, Psychology and many other things. For example, the Mikkyo (esotheric buddhism of tantric roots) and Ekkyo (divination) that although some may not believe in, still make up the art.
Many true Ninjutsu instructors will readily make available the art of Taijutsu and other areas of Ninjutsu, but few will be willing to render everything they know. That is something which must be struggled for by the student and many who learn Taijutsu will likely choose not to learn anything more than that.
The 18 levels within Ninjutsu (Ninja Juhakkei) from Togakure Ryu
- Seishin Teki Kyoko (Spiritual Refinement)
- Taijutsu (Unarmed Combat)
- Ninja Ken (Ninja Sword)
- Bo-Jutsu (Stick and Staff Fighting)
- Shuriken-Jutsu (Throwing Blades)
- Yari-Jutsu (Spear Fighting)
- Naginata-Jutsu (Halberd Fighting)
- Kusari-Gama (Chain and Sickle Weapon)
- Kayaku-Jutsu (Fire and Explosives)
- Henso-Jutsu (Disguise and Impersonation)
- Shinobi-Iri (Stealth and Entering Methods)
- Ba-Jutsu (Horsemanship)
- Sui-Ren (Water training)
- Bo-Ryaku (Strategy)
- Cho-Ho (Espionage)
- Inton-Jutsu (Escape and Concealment)
- Ten-Mon (Meteorology)
- Chi-Mon (Geography)
Authentic Ninjutsu Schools
The Bujinkan, Genbukan and Jinenkan all contains Ninjutsu Ryu.
Other Schools
Other schools, not directly related to the genuine japanese ninja traditions, have different paths. For example, the Temple of the Full Autumn Moon, which teaches Saito Ninjitsu (and defines Ninjitsu as something very similar but different from Ninjutsu), follows the Wu Shan Fa or "Five Mountain Path of the True Warrior Spirit." It can be found here.
Other Reading
Essence of Ninjutsu by Masaaki Hatsumi
Ninjutsu: History and Tradition by Masaaki Hatsumi