Ninjitsu Tips

Ninjutsu is a Japanese martial art that is a combination of fighting techniques, stealth tactics and clandestine movements. It is believed to have been developed by the Ninja, who were an order of assassins-for-hire during Japan's feudal period. Ninjutsu is popular today in part due to the depiction of Ninja in popular culture. However modern Ninjutsu techniques can be effective when utilized for self-defense on the street.

  1. Learn the Bugei Juhappan

    • Although Ninja were the dark inverse of the straightforward Samurai, Ninja studied the Bugei Juhappan, which were 18 fighting skills practiced by all Samurai. While some of these techniques are out of date, modern practitioners of ninjutsu would do well to learn some of them, such as spiritual refinement, unarmed combat, tactics, stealth, disguise, weapons and concealment.

    Practice Moving with Stealth

    • Most Ninjutsu techniques are meant to be delivered quickly and silently. Practicing stealth can help you to become a more effective practitioner. Also, as in all martial arts, in Ninjutsu it is advantageous if you can deliver non-telegraphic strikes. Non-telegraphic strikes are delivered by using your footwork, stances and motions to mask what you are about to do.

    Remain Calm, Allow Your Opponents to Attack Themselves

    • Ninja were the epitome of cool under fire. Ninjutsu techniques are best delivered with a calm mind and a relaxed body. Often, Ninjutsu practitioners employ a kind of aikido to allow their opponents' negative intentions in attack to work against them. Maintain a calm center and evade your opponent's attacks while seamlessly flowing into countermeasures.

    Practice Your Natural Stance

    • Ninjutsu practitioners like to employ a natural stance, as it gives nothing away about what style you may practice. Also, if you are faced with an attack in the street, you will most likely be in a natural stance. Therefore, being able to launch techniques and defenses from such a stance is a good idea.