Have you ever heard of a "Ninja"? Most people will probably recall the name from the 1980s during the "Ninja Boom!" when it seemed like everyone and their dog was making Ninja movies like "Enter the Ninja," "Ninja 2 The Domination," "American Ninja 1, 2, 3," and the like! You might even find these old low-budget films still on the shelves of some video stores, although I would not recommend renting them if you want to find out what a Ninja really is. Unfortunately most fiction books, screenplays, and magazines that have ever been written, or movies produced about the Ninja (pronounced "Neen-Jah"), are complete and utter nonsense and depict very little of the true nature of these ancient and mysterious people.

The word Ninja, when translated directly from Japanese to English, means "Patient Man," but the Japanese language is not as black and white as that. Ninja can also mean "Stealthy Man," "One Who Perseveres," and so on, but in no translation of the word does Ninja mean "masked assassin dressed in black," which is what most people think of when they hear the word Ninja! This stereotype was spawned mainly by the movies and books mentioned earlier, whose authors derived their information from old legends told by Samurai and people of the time who did not understand the Ninja and their mysterious ways and, as such, feared them. This fear of the unknown saw the Ninja made into outcasts in their own homeland, and caused them to adopt complete secrecy within the various clans and conceal their identities from the rest of the world.

SO WHAT IS NINJUTSU ANYWAY?

Well, I've explained to you a bit about what Ninjutsu is not, so now for the explanation of what it is. The art of Ninjutsu came into being during the feudal era in Japan's history when many armies of Samurai and their warlords, the Shogun, were battling for control over Japan and its riches. Unfortunately, as in any warring times, it is the common folk that suffer the most. The Ninja were, for the most part, common people, as were some Samurai warriors, who just happened to have developed some very mysterious and innovative ways to protect their families and villages from the forces that would try to oppress them. The Ninja developed skills that utilized ancient Chinese principals of combat developed by Sun Tzu and other Chinese influences, combined them with the Japanese Samurai arts, and created their own unique twist on the martial arts.

Ninjutsu combines a wide range of armed and unarmed combat principles ranging from the use of swords, knives, sticks, and throwing blades to strikes, kicks, throws, grappling, and pressure point techniques. These, however, are only the physical aspects of their art. There is much more that made the Ninja unique and feared in their time. They developed skills in the areas of stealth and magic that caused the name "Ninja" to invoke terror in the hearts of Warlords and Samurai who would try to oppress their people. The Ninja were also very spiritual people who learned how to put themselves in tune with universal life force energy, or "Ki," as well as with cosmic knowledge, which allowed them to act and go through life without any surprises. In essence, the Ninja developed a perfect marriage of Warrior, Spiritual, and Healing Arts and became truly mystics of their time.

NINJUTSU TODAY

In the mid 70s Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, a 34th generation Ninja Grand Master of the only remaining schools of true Ninjutsu, had a vision that it was time in the history of humankind that the art of Ninjutsu should be opened to the world! Since then many people have gone to Japan to train under Hatsumi's guidance. After some years Grand Master (Soké) Hatsumi decided that a world-wide Ninjutsu Training Association was needed to govern the training and, as such, he created the "Bujinkan," meaning "Warrior Spirit Training Hall," which now links together all Ninjutsu practitioners around the world.

Today there are literally thousands of Bujinkan schools, or "Dojos," around the world carrying on Hatsumi's teachings and practicing the ways of the Ninja. Most Dojos, though, are run as private clubs or studios that are only open to those who show a willingness to endure the strict principles and rigours of Ninjutsu training. Ninjutsu never has been, and never will be, a sport martial art and, as such, its practitioners do not compete or participate in tournaments. This art was also never intended to be taught to the masses like karate and other sport styles and, as such, you will not find any Dojos with hundreds of students all lined up punching and yelling in unison. Ninjutsu schools have more of a second-family feeling for their practitioners.

WHERE DO I FIND A NINJUTSU SCHOOL?

As I said before there are many Dojos around the world. To find one in your area it is probably best to search on the Internet as some schools may not have listings in your local telephone directory. There are only four Bujinkan Dojos in Saskatchewan as yet – three in Saskatoon and one in Regina. A good internet source for finding a school in your area is www.bujinkan.org. There are many other sources as well, but basically, what it boils down to is this: if you are truly meant to become involved in this art you will find a teacher when you are ready!

Sensei Paul Johnston is a Ninjutsu teacher in Regina. For information about becoming involved in Ninjutsu training in Regina, Saskatchewan call the BUJINKAN FUDOSHIN DOJO at (306) 347-7755.