Be a Ninja
You've seen them in movies and Japanese anime. But what exactly are ninjas? A true ninja (shinobi, in Japanese) is not just someone who wears black, drops down from the ceiling and slices everything into pieces. Ninjas have been around since at least the 14th century, when guerrilla warfare in feudal Japan called for subterfuge and assassination - activities which samurai would not perform because they were forbidden by Bushido, the samurai code. Ninja were employed as master spies, assassins, and specialist warriors. While some aspects of the ninja way may be outdated, the principles and techniques remain valuable for anyone who is interested in espionage and deception. Being a ninja is extremely hard work, but the tips below will help you get started.
Contents
Steps
Learn the Ninja Way
- Decide upon a series of ideas, morals, and philosophies that you truly can live by. Educate yourself on the history of ninja. For example, you might want to read Masaaki Hatsumi's book, Secrets From The Ninja Grandmaster. Most ninja were freelance mercenaries who used their skills to support their families. Some ninja, however, were employed by lords and government officials. And some worked solely for their own clan. The ninja lifestyle was diverse. You need to direct your lifestyle accordingly.
Silence is Golden
- Silence is a valuable asset. One's decision to live by ninjutsu discipline is not and should not be public knowledge. Your first responsibility is to learn and practice ninjutsu in secrecy, and privately.
- Never publicize that you are a ninja. A ninja must be able to function as a spy, which means that you cannot reveal your status as an aspiring ninja, or else no one will trust you. Do not dress like the stereotypical ninja. The black outfits that most people associate with ninja are a construct of Kabuki theater (although this has not been proven), in which prop handlers were disguised as ninja characters (who always wore black to minimize their presence while moving props on stage). When you do wear ninja clothes, the idea is to never let anyone see you in them.
Learn the Ninja Way
- Learn how to move stealthy. Tabi boots are great for this, try to roll your feet from heel to toe. Become adept at social and physical invisibility and silence. Walk silently. Learn the appropriate clothes for the appropriate times. Do not stand out or draw attention to yourself in any way. Sometimes that may mean being sociable and friendly because in the modern world, a person who sits quietly in the corner arouses suspicion and is carefully watched.
- Learn how to fight. Learning a martial art will be helpful in this aspect. While ninjas typically tried to avoid open combat, at times it is necessary.
- Know how to escape. No matter where you are, know how to get out of the situation as quickly and as anonymously (unseen) as possible. This is a critical skill for a ninja, especially when performing missions. Historically, smoke bombs and firecrackers were used to create diversions, but you will have to devise more subtle techniques, like starting a fight or switching off the lights. When you enter a room, always be aware of every potential (possible) exit, and have several plans in place for how you can create a diversion if necessary. As you escape, strive to leave no evidence behind, like clothes, weapons or fingerprints (wear gloves?). One way that ninja accomplished this in the past was with ashiaro, or wooden pads worn on their bottom of their footwear and carved to look like an animal's paw or a child's foot so that the ninja's footprints would not be noticed, this was also used in WWII.
- Learn to control people by words and non-violent influence. Use people's desires, needs and wants as a leverage against them. Humans need security, wealth, pride, strength and to have their wants and needs satisfied. This is a key ability in most if not all events.
- Master self-control. A true Ninja is a master of his/her environment, which consequently requires one to be in control of one's self. To master one's self, learn to: cut emotions out of the decision making, engage in rational and logical thinking no matter what the situation is, make tactical decisions that may upset one's ego, finding the flow of situations/problems and one's place with in them, make decisions for one's own situations as if giving someone else advice. Applying these tips to every day life is a must, as it stands in the way of the mastery of one's self. If one cannot master self, one cannot master others, and their surroundings. Example: Engaging in physical combat due to provocation knowing one can defeat the threat may not be the best of interests for the big picture. Walking away while ridicule may hurt one's ego, but will keep one in the clear of the public's eye from things to come.
Mind & Body
- Exercise and maintain a ninja body. This does not necessarily mean becoming lean and muscular; it means building endurance, Improve Agility for Running Backs, strength and flexibility. Go for long distance runs, swimming, push-ups, chin-ups, crunches, squats, and make sure to stretch. Your body is a tool - as long as it can perform the functions of a ninja, it is a valuable tool.
- Feed your mind. Ninja were often very knowledgeable. With knowledge comes power and this can help you become more resourceful and also help you blend in more easily.
- Practice meditating. Perhaps not traditional meditation, but meditation based on complete awareness of your actions. Train your mind to be completely aware of your actions when the need arises, for prolonged periods of time.
Acquire the Skills, Equipment, and Weaponry
- Know what a ninja needs. A ninja is a master of sabotage, infiltration, and martial arts. Here's a short list of skills, equipment, and weaponry at his command:
- Seishin-teki kyōyō (spiritual refinement)
- Taijutsu (unarmed combat, using one's body as the only weapon)
- Kenjutsu (sword fighting)
- Bōjutsu (stick and staff fighting)
- Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades)
- Sōjutsu (spear fighting)
- Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting)
- Sui-ren (water training)
- Bōryaku (tactic)
- Chōhō (espionage)
- Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment)
- Tenmon (meteorology)
- Kusarigamajutsu (chain and sickle weapon)
- Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics and explosives)
- Hensōjutsu (disguise & impersonation)
- Chi-mon (geography)
- Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods)
- Bajutsu (horsemanship)
Tips
- Normally, ninjas begin their training at a very young age. But Masaaki Hatsumi, a ninja grandmaster, started his training when he was 27 years old. (Note: he was involved with various other martial arts disciplines before focusing on ninjutsu).
- Ninjas are known to wear disguises, so they can spy on enemies or to get closer to their intended target. They also wear normal clothing to appear as the common person when traveling to other places.
- Ninjas don't always work alone. Historically, the best known groups of ninja came from the Iga and Koga clans, so if you have a friend(s) who is (are) into the ninja business or you know of any other ninja in your area, then work out some kind of agreement to work together to accomplish a mission or start a clan. Only join together with someone that you would trust with your life. If possible you might need a real ninja to help you train.
- Get Started in Parkour. Parkour is compatible with being a ninja because it not only allows you to escape and hide easily, but it also builds strength and agility. Parkour will be more useful than free running as it concentrates on effectiveness and speed more than showing off and is used for personal development.
- Know how to use self-defense the right way. If not used properly it can be a very dangerous thing.
- Ninjutsu is a lifelong pursuit, and shall take a lifetime to master, so don't get impatient. There is always room for improvement. Don't expect to become a true ninja in a week. Shinobi usually start at the time of childhood until they are about 20-25 and they keep on going to become better. It's like in school, we start at childhood and finish high school and you have an option to go on further.
- You should become very flexible and strong before becoming a ninja.
- Try to surprise an enemy by turning off the lights and you right in front of them.
- A ninja must be fast and brave.
- Try to keep the fact that you're a ninja hidden because if that info falls into the wrong hands, it will cost you greatly.
- Have good ears to listen if someone's coming.
- Be sneaky and sure about your surroundings that no one is following you.
Warnings
- The ninja is an important role, do not compromise it.
- The ninja you see in movies and comic books are vastly different than reality. Always keep that in mind.
- Use your skills, but don't forget your natural talents as well. When able to use peace as a cunning weapon against the task ahead, it is most wise over violence.
- Your body is your tool and weapon. If you injure yourself, go to the doctor or to the emergency room. And don't forget to treat past injuries in a proper manner.
- Ninja don't wear bright colors, (i.e orange/red). Wear black or dark blue to blend into the night (or white to blend into the snow).
- If one's motivations to be a ninja involve any of the following: to provoke and engage in open physical confrontations, for notoriety, or solely for revenge and inflict harm (self absorbed reasons), then thou shalt never be ninja... just an angry individual in dark clothing covering its face. There is a big and clear distinction.
- Dressing all in black with one's face covered will raise alarm if spotted. This is why you should wear civilian clothing (unless, of course, it's Halloween.)
- During training there is nothing better than trial by fire. However, if one tries to evade, confront, and/or combat local law enforcement or engage in any other criminal activity to test ninjitsu skills: one must be truly ready to accept the consequences one's actions will bring.
Things You'll Need
- Dark blue, white (if snowy) or gray outfit. Choose dark blue or gray if you will be in low light, not full darkness. Dark blue is preferred over all at night.(Black will look like a shadow moving) Only wear black if it is pitch black. As stated earlier, black will stand out.
- Depending on the mission some times you need to wear normal clothes.
- Ninja stars (called shuriken).
- Martial arts training.
- Ninja sword (Ninjato).
- You could use knives, kunai knives, throwing knives, etc., for close and long range combat.
- Weapons skills of most melee weapons will work if no sword is available.
- Always have a disguise at the ready. But if you use a disguise too many times it will become obvious. Try to blend.
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