Ninjutsu - All You Need to Know About the Art of Ninjas

Ninjutsu [忍術] is a Japanese art practiced by Ninjas, very popularly known in anime such as Naruto. Did you know that this art really existed? Are there still practitioners of the Ninja art?

In this article we will see absolutely everything about Ninjutsu, its origin, curiosities, weapons used, not to mention differences between real-life Ninjutsu and anime. To facilitate your navigation, we will leave a summary below:

What is Ninjutsu?

Ninjutsu is an art used by Ninjas for espionage, sabotage, assassination and other purposes. This art requires a lot of wisdom in several other martial arts, have discipline, good administration and discretion.

The word Ninjutsu [忍術] comes from the character [忍] meaning endurance, patience and self-restraint along with the character [術] meaning art, techniques, skills, means and tricks. Ninja [忍者] is the person trained in Ninjutsu.

The ninjutsu can also be called ninpo [忍法] which literally means ninja arts. Where the ideogram [法] means method, law, rule, principle, model and system. Ninjas have a code of conduct called Ninpoh Ikkan.

Ninjutsu - know everything about the art of the ninjas

The Fundamentals of Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu is a martial art with the objective of putting the body, mind and spirit together, in order to develop the human being and leave him in harmony with nature, defeating his defects and improving his abilities.

The ninjas developed a fighting technique or a martial science full of strategies capable of facing all types of melee combat or with weapons, whether on the ground, at a distance, using firearms or causing twists in the opponent.

The Ninja also needs to learn the art of disguise, manipulation of the human body, knowing the vital points and strategies for self-defense, self-sufficiency in fighting and psychological manipulation of the enemy.

Ninjutsu - know everything about the art of the ninjas

Many ninjas need spiritual refinement, use of breathing techniques, meditation and control of vital and mental energy. They also need to overcome their emotional and mental vulnerabilities.

Many Ninjas practice scuba diving, mountaineering, survival, target shooting and others. This martial art is so famous in the world that even the FBI, SWAT and many other soldiers know how to use ninjutsu.

Virtues, rules, secrets and ninja norms

The practically of ninjutsu he needs to correctly copy all the techniques of his master, only to then start new techniques reaching the maximum perfection and performing all the techniques automatically without thinking. These steps are debts in 3 and called su, ha and ri.

Ninjas have rules that they never look down on an opponent, never underestimate their abilities and don't be afraid to confront them because of their reputation. He must also never hesitate when taking action.

Ninjutsu - know everything about the art of the ninjas

A ninja should never question his lack of preparation, let alone be afraid. He must never fear the enemy nor act with a lack of confidence. You should never be afraid of the enemy's physical appearance or strength.

Ninjas follow 7 virtues which are:

  • GI - Fair decision, attitude and truth;
  • YU - Bravery and heroic urge;
  • JIN - Love for the universe and benevolence for humanity;
  • REI - Balanced and fair behavior;
  • MAKOTO - Total sincerity;
  • MERYO - Honor and Glory;
  • CHUGI - Loyalty and devotion;

Ninjas have rules that can even be recorded in a Dojo. See some below:

  • Do not show or say anything in the face of danger;
  • Forget your ego, be patient and don't fear death;
  • Remain an indomitable spirit in the face of strong enemies;
  • Serve and protect the master as if they were your parents;
  • Vices dissipate your proficiency;
  • Destroy the enemy's power, but leave his life;
  • Do not teach others without the master's permission;
  • Forget all sadness, grudges, anger and hatred;
  • Be worthy, do not deviate from your path of good;
  • Do not let ambition and lust take over your soul;
  • Focus all your time and mind on the practice of Budo Taijutsu;
  • We must accept sorrows, hatreds or hardships as a blessing from mother nature;
Ninjutsu - know everything about the art of the ninjas
NeuPaddy / Pixabay

Ninjas also have 8 fighting secrets called "Ninja at Hachimon".

  1. NINJA NO KIAI – The explosive expression of spirit and inner energy;
  2. NINJA NO TAIJUTSU – The study and practice of body techniques;
  3. NINJA NO KENPO – Study of sword techniques;
  4. NINJA NO SOOJUTSU – Study of methods using spears and sharp objects;
  5. NINJA NO SHURIKEN – The art of throwing darts, knives and star-shaped throwing weapons;
  6. NINJA NO KAJUTSU – The art of using fire as an ally;
  7. NINJA NO UGEI – The art of deceiving and deceiving the opponent;
  8. NINJA NO KYOMON – The study of religions, medicine, philosophy, meditation, history, mathematics, chemistry, physics and psychology;

The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:

History and Origin of Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu dates back more than 900 years, in a historical context in which Samurai dominated Japan. He was born when Tibetan monks spread to various countries in Asia in order to practice terrorism, espionage and resistance against Manchu invasions of China.

During the Chin dynasty the temples were destroyed and the monks took refuge in other countries like Japan. These monks gave rise to various martial arts and one of these was Ninjustu.

The monks had contact with ronin, who were masterless samurai who no longer followed the code of conduct. Over the years, those who became ninjas began to work as mercenaries.

Ninjutsu - know everything about the art of the ninjas

Even the Japanese government used ninjas as spies until the end of World War II. Nowadays the art is used as self defense or by the army of some countries, due to its agility in disarmament and its techniques in attack, defense and immobilization.

From its beginnings, ninjutsu was naturally practiced by children, young people, old people and women. In the West ninjutsu was taken up by men Doron Navon and Stephen Hayes around 1970.

Weapons Used in Ninjutsu

No Ninjutsu there are several types of weapons that can be used in battles with your opponents. Many of these weapons are homemade tools like a broom, umbrella, screwdriver, pliers and even a sheet.

No Ninjutsu it doesn't matter which tool is used in the battle, but which will be the winner of the fight being fair or not, what matters is winning the opponent. Ninjas are capable of using anything in battle to take victory.

Ninjutsu - know everything about the art of the ninjas

Many weapons that we are going to present below are associated with the Ninjas, but they are not meant to be exclusive weapons of the Ninjas, some are used by Samurai or used in other fighting styles, not to mention those that were just peasant tools.

  • Boken - Wooden saber for training;
  • - 1.8 meter long staff;
  • Fukiya - Blowgun
  • Fukumi Bari – Small throwing needles, blown from the mouth;
  • Hanbō - Short staff of 90 centimeters;
  • Jitte – Used to fight sword;
  • Kaginawa – Rope with cross hook, used to climb houses and walls;
  • Kama yari - Long staff with scythe;
  • Kama – Small sickle, initially used for harvesting cereals;
  • Kemuridama – Explosive or blinding black smoke bomb;
  • Kodachi – Small saber similar to wakizashi, but without a guard, handle a little longer and more curved;
  • Kunai – Utensil similar to a garden shovel or sharp trowel;
  • Kusari-fundo – Chain with two weights at the ends;
  • Kusarigama – A Kama with a chain and a metal weight;
  • Kyoketsu Shoge – Similar to kusarigama, chain and metal bow;
  • Musubinawa – Rope with a single hook, used for climbing;
  • Naginata - Halberd staff with machete;
  • Orthos - Staff with blade tips;
  • Shaken - Throwing javelin;
  • Shikomi Zue – Wooden staff with camouflaged saber;
  • Shinobi Kumade – Rope used to climb, using a claw-shaped hook;
  • Shinobi Zue – Staff with camouflaged chain;
  • Shinobigatana - curved saber;
  • Shuriken - Throwing Star
  • Tanbō – Two small wooden sticks, for attack and defense;
  • Tanto - Japanese knife;
  • Te yari - Small spear with hook;
  • Tessen – Metallic fan usually used by women;
  • Tetsubishi – Pyramid-shaped harpsichord, used in pursuit;
  • Wakizashi – Curved saber, similar to the katana, but its blade is smaller;
  • Yari - Spear with approximately 2 meters;
  • Yumi ya - Kyudo - Archery (Art of throwing);

Naruto ninjutsu vs real life

The famous anime Naruto tries to represent the Ninjas and their art called Ninjutsu well. Throughout the anime we have several references to the powers used by the character that are called jutsu [術]. The word jutsu literally means art.

The ninjas in the anime naruto have absolutely nothing to do with real life ninjutsu. In the anime, ninjas are portrayed as humans with godlike powers rather than a stealthy person who kills opponents.

Ninjutsu - know everything about the art of the ninjas
This kid appears for the third time because he is the best example of these clichés

Real ninjas kill people all the time. Nobody finds out why he's good at it. They are known for leaving unexplained corpses everywhere inconspicuously, not blowing up mountains and making craters.

Ninjas need to wear clothes that can help them blend in with their surroundings, something that doesn't happen in the Naruto anime that uses bright, bold and flashy colors instead of a discreet black. Naruto's clothing only serves to show his location.

The anime features some Ninja weapons like Kunai, Shuriken and some swords. However, in the anime these weapons are just decorations and are rarely used for a powerful purpose, as they have supernatural powers.

What's the point of Naruto characters using shuriken and a bunch of other weapons if they always make mistakes? A good ninja must possess the ability to kill, play dead, assassinate, slaughter and dismember to the very end.

Ninjutsu - know everything about the art of the ninjas

Naruto characters rarely kill anyone, they exist quite a bit before murder. Only once in a while does a villain commit murder to give the impression that they are evil.

Ninja Disciplines - Jūhakkei

Ninjutsu is a set of diverse disciplines and arts that ninjas study called juhakkei. Below we will briefly list these arts. I hope you enjoyed this article. If you liked it, share it!

  • Bajutsu (Riding);
  • Bōjutsu (Long Staff Art);
  • Bōryaku (Military Strategy);
  • Chi-mon (Geography);
  • Chōhō (Espionage);
  • Hensōjutsu (Art of Disguise and Camouflage);
  • Intonjutsu (Art of Evasion);
  • Kayakujutsu (Art of Explosives and Pyrotechnics);
  • Kenjutsu (Sword Art);
  • Kusarigamajutsu (Chain Scythe Fight);
  • Naginatajutsu (Fight with Naginata);
  • Seishin Teki Kyoko|Seishin-teki kyōyō (Spiritual Refinement);
  • Shinobi-iri (Occultation);
  • Shurikenjutsu (Throwing Shurikens);
  • Sui-ren (Water Training);
  • Sōjutsu (Spear Art);
  • Taijutsu (Unarmed Combat);
  • Tenmon (Weather);

How to Learn to Learn Ninjutsu

On May 15, 1645, eighteen Portuguese-Brazilian leaders signed a pledge to fight against Dutch rule in northeastern Brazil. The movement integrated forces led by blacks, Indians and native Portuguese who used guerrilla warfare – ninja-style warfare – to counter Dutch material superiority.

What cannot be explained is that, since 1543, Portugal traded with Japan, buying Japanese products and slaves and selling them in its main colonies, such as Brazil. It is speculated that the Portuguese had contact with the Art of Ninja in this period and that it introduced a “ninja spirit” in the Brazilian roots, a determination to “never give up”.

This course aims to clarify the historical roots of the Art of Ninja and teach you a quick and effective method for you to recognize an authentic Ninjutsu dojo authorized by the Japanese Empire, without you running the risk of losing money, getting hurt or being deceived by the many “Fake- jutsu” spread in Brazil.

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