NINJUTSU 忍術

Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu is the full name of the style of Ninjutsu practiced in our dojo. Currently in its 34th generation, under Soke Hatsumi Masaaki, this style of Ninjutsu is an authentic tradition that has survived more than 900 years since its beginnings in feudal Japan. Its martial roots extend through history to the cradle of modern civilization.

If you examine the term ‘Ninjutsu’, you can break it down into two words. ‘NIN’ and ‘JUTSU’, both Japanese words with their own meanings. The closest English translation for ‘NIN’ is ‘patience’ and for ‘JUTSU’ it’s “true technique”. When you combine these two together to form the term ‘Ninjutsu’, you get the “true techniques of patience”.

‘JUTSU’ is also an important designation in Japanese martial arts. As defined by the Dictionary of Martial Arts, ‘JUTSU’ arts are martial arts that were designed for real fighting or what we would now call self-defense. The other designation is ‘DO’ which refers to martial arts that are not meant for real fighting, such as sports. An example of this would be ‘Kenjutsu’ and ‘Kendo’; both are sword arts, but kenjutsu teaches how to traditionally fight with a real sword whereas kendo is a popular sport.

The mindset of a ‘JUTSU’ art is vastly different from a ‘DO’ art. There are no rules to protect you in real combat. By understanding this philosophy, it is possible to understand Ninjutsu, as well as the nature of Bujutsu (Martial Combat).

NINPO TAIJUTSU 忍法体術

This field of study forms the core of our curriculum. ‘Taijutsu’ is translated as ‘True Techniques of the Body’ and is the foundation which all the physical techniques are applied from.

Taijutsu can be organized into three specific fields:

  • Dakentaijutsu - Kicking, Punching, and other Striking Skills

  • Jutaijutsu - Grappling, Wrestling, Throwing, Joint-locks, and other Close Contact Skills

  • Taihenjutsu - Rolling, Jumping, Break-falls, Stepping, Balance, and other Safety Skills

As before, the word ‘NIN’ translates to the English word ‘patience’. The Japanese word ‘PO’ translates as the English word ‘method’. Therefore, the study of Ninpo Taijutsu is “The method of the body’s true technique.”

The Bujinkan 武神館

Ninpo Martial Arts School has been an active member of the Bujinkan international martial arts organization since the early 1990s. The Bujinkan Hombu Dojo is based in the city of Noda, Japan. You can find more information about the Bujinkan on bujinkan.com and through shidoshikai.com.