Not bad for a researcher who doesn't read or speak Japanese but interprets someone else's interpretation. Lol this guy is a good. Research him before you believe him.
When I first saw a portrait of Hattori Hanzo, I was bitterly disappointed because I was under the allure of the Ninja Boom image of black-clad wall-climbing roof-walking ninja. But on the portrait I saw a balding elderly man in a samurai armor. That was the moment when I first realized that ninja might not be what they were portrayed to be.
for me childhood was rural Hawaii...80ties, I was obsessed with martial arts and ninjutsu was very popular. Later on I was involved with judo, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and football. I founded one of America's first mixed martial arts clubs and a Ninjutsu group showed up to try their hand in the cage. They wore full ninja gi down to the tabi boots and weren't initially taken seriously even tho they were compeditive until their head instructor went 5 and 0 in American Shooto MMA competition. I trained with them for a few years and was granted a sensei rank in Taijutsu... many years later a guy showed up to my gym talking about Bujinkan and I was not familiar... after looking up Bujinkan online it's kind of difficult to accept because it seems so hokey. Fake no-touch Masters are very detrimental to the martial arts world and although Bujinkan doesn't seem to step over this most important line it still maintains a lot of theatrical techniques that in my opinion have no place in the hardcore world of ancient medieval Asian combat My attitude about Tai Jitsu is vale tudo striking with anything goes Judo style lapel work... I don't think ninjas bothered with much of the techniques they depict on the bujinkan videos as their motivation was simply in and out survival or Battlefield expedients! I have to assume the theatrics are simply an intelligent business attitude rather than a realistic take on Ancient medieval Asian combat or its modern day equivalent! Its hard enough to get people to take Ninjutsu seriously without kung fu movie choreography and dangerously hokey fake Aikido style no-touch throws!?!
@@andrewcanady6644 I was only a child while I was there but remember how much I loved the culture because it was a interesting mix of American, Japanese and Polynesian. Mahalo
I can identify with the description of Taijutsu. Perhaps I am.roamantizing it as it was 31 years since I practised it.having just joined a muay thai gym I find that the taijutsu experience when sparring hs definately helped
Dear Anthony, I totally concur. Studying arson, infiltration, etc. is part and parcel with the shinobi arts and sciences. The attachment to the name is a bit much. Thanks again for your show. By the way, I’m still reflecting on seishin of the bansenshukai from time to time. I’m still hard pressed for converting on the conversion units.😂🤣they didn’t have metric units back then!!! Thanks 🙏
Agreed on most points.. Except for the modern applications bit. I do feel strongly that a historical backing and a sorce of principals that can be thought befor a specific lesson, ninjutsu drawn from the manuals is a ver enriching thing to add to any class. The class ia not going to be called Ninjutsu.. But it will have historical backing with in it. It ia very much relevant today if you have the eye and experience to see were it fits.
love the post, excellent info. I'm glad you brought up the point that if "ninjutsu" was taught in a modern context it would be called something else like special operation, who have so many skills that are...ninja. But ninja are in fact religated to Japan's interesting history, and I personally find then inspirational.
Had a jui jitsu instructor that was a Tai Jitsu master. He always was against being grouped with the Ninja people. He just taught jui jitsu. He thought all the ninja stuff was crazy. He wore a black karate gi & had same active yin yang, like your school has. He didn’t think ninja was practical even.
Kind of less related but I do enjoy using the word "ninja" for a high skill in anything. Such as being a multitasking ninja as a casual way to say someone is REALLY good at multitasking.
I would say that if you just got over how Hatsumi treated you when you insulted him, you wouldn't be so anti-ninjutsu. ***For those who don't know, Mr. Cummins became anti-ninjutsu after he arrogantly sent a letter to Hatsumi, in English, assuming he would get an interview with Hatsumi and asking to borrow his scrolls. Hatsumi respectfully declined. Basically this is a temper tantrum because Cummins didn't get his way after being rude and arrogant to the head of Bujinkan.***
If you go back to the books of Mr. Hayes and as long as I have known him he has always said there is no unarmed fighting that is ninja(ninjutsu) the Ninja used whatever form of hand to hand that was handy the Togakure Ryu used the Gyokko Ryu and Koto Ryu it seems at times that at times Mr. Hayes and Mr. Hatsumi used the umbrella term Togakure Ryu to describe their art in the early years and it has caused a lot of confusion.
Im thinking, maybe a "spy school" with historical ninjutsu class + the new stuff could keep the word ninja, if its lets say... 60%real ninjutsu and 40% modern spy techniques and tools... Having in mind that most modern spytools are not even known and those that we can know about we cant really get many of them... Yeah you can get a dron with an infrared camera, but it will be a toy if you compare it with a cia dron... So maybe a spyschool based on ninjutsu can keep it at least as part of their definition.
A lot of people focus solely on taijutsu as their path into ninjutsu. Some also train/play with traditional weapons. Few will delve into the extensive non-combat related aspects of ninjutsu because it is not as exciting, fun, or seemingly worthwhile. The reality is that people are primarily drawn to the mystique and the "butt-kicking" persona of the ninja and want to cultivate that in whatever way they are able. That's where the cosplay/larping, and the heavy focus on hand to hand fighting come from. Were ninjutsu in its modern incarnation pursued in a more comprehensive manner, the practitioner would be learning 4g warfare tactics and studying material that expands their knowledge of modern workings, with far less emphasis on old world combat techniques and historical practices.
I talked to my old Ninjutsu trainer about this topic. My question was - Ninjutsu adapted to modern times, we would study hacking etc. He agreed. But anyways, I still love training the traditional stuff :)
Just placed an order for four more of your books brother. Loving your work! I got them through Amazon and some are coming via the UK. Not sure if you seen these orders come through but if you do and if you’re happy to sign/stamp one of them for me that would be greatly appreciated. If not no sweat
I believe due to the nature of the term Ninja takes on a more broad classification of stereo types and thus it fits many alter ego. I think that is why people latch on to the image they portray as the Ninja in modern martial arts dojo. That feeling of elite-ness among a broad group of martial arts also played a part in the boom. Hollywood has portrayed the ninja as everything from demons to magical ascetic warrior monks to phantasmal villages of people that can disappear or melt into the earth or bend ether under a higher order of ideology and mysticism. This has opened it up to pretty much be anything you want to imagine your self as portraying. Ninjutsu is infiltration and information gathering and the art of guerilla warfare. It is and always has been an intricate part of the military arts. Many so called Modern Ninjutsu practitioners do learn the skills of survival and infiltration/information gathering and guerilla warfare thus calling themselves ninja rather than binding themselves to Special forces or other such group fictitiously. The modern ninja is that symbol of the freedom fighter in a black costume and it is a unifying symbol like the uniform of any military. I do not think there needs to be any divide among historical practitioners or modern practitioners. Both have merit in society since both are ninjutsu. It was to some degree in every martial tradition at one time in history weather lost in modernization or not. I don't see any reason why any legitimately lineage Akido school or other can not advertise to have ninjutsu in its lineage as well... as long as the skills are attained, who cares. And if you want to run around in modern Gi or BDU or Hakama that is your business to what you use as a unifying dress among your students and practitioners. Technically I think Mr. Antony Cummins is right but socially I think the word Ninjutsu can be unifying if we understand it in its actual context. I do think we need to stick to historical teachings as far as historical goes but also let it evolve and modernize , that is the nature of it. Historians can be fighters and fighters can be historians....
They would use more modern camo but the goal would be a silent warrior that could be on the black market for hire. Maybe they learn from a Seal and take tai chi etc
Ninjutsu is a generic term anyway, it's a quick, easy and convenient way to roughly describe in a word what your martial art is about when explaining it to non-martial artists. We all know that only a couple of the 9 Bujinkan schools are actual ninjutsu.
Ninjutsu is more about trickery disception and being manipulative than doing these infiltration assassination missions. Ninjas wouldn't really operate well in the military because they don't have armor and are likely to get killed instantly. Why would anyone get involved with guns bombs and traps. Ninjas avoid danger to make there jobs easier. The point of ninjutsu is to attack the enemy off duty not in the middle of combat. for example a ninja would kill of a general or soldier when he is on vacation. Ninjas were not the only warriors known for stealth. Native Americans and Maori warriors were much more like the special forces than ninjas because they mostly use stealth, traps and survival tactics. Every warrior throughout existence should learn to survive on there own in the wild. A KGB agent would be more similar to a ninja than a special force soldier. Here a video that pretty much sums up what a ninja is:m.th-cam.com/video/KWBFokVoMSQ/w-d-xo.html
Word evolves. They move with the time and change meaning. The Word commando comes from the boer war and the boers kommando,which was mounted infanteri. But when we say commando today we are not talking about bearded soutafricans on horses. I saw a man with a t-shirt last summer that Said ”modern wiking”. I am sure he does not plan to dress up as our ancestors. He probebly just ment he was a tradtional scandinavian Who liked to drink beer, have sex and brawl a bit. The world change and so does the language. If the local ninjustsu club like to use the Word ninja. Do it. I know what they meen. Train, have fun, and do not worry so much what everybody ells thinks. 😉
HI Andy, can we say that Tajutsu has its own unique characteristics that are different from both Ju Jutsu or karate? If so can you suggest any sources for the origins of how the movement, stances and kata s have come to be on Taijutsu?
Beautiful post, I feel that you logically put it to rest well done. Those who go to the dojo and put on a gi, practice taijutsu which is only a portion of the original ninjustsu skill set. Wow you actually answered my next question while I was typing it. I look forward to the video about the modern ninjutsu.
"Ninjas" were spies not Hollywood assassins. My instructor had me learn traps used during Vietnam because of their similar construction to "ninja" traps. We also read on how they started fires and caused distractions. Plus we don't use the N word. Its budotaijutsu which covers 7 different ancient arts which includes ninjutsu.
Anyway I've just watched a couple of this guy's videos for the first time in years and I'm already sick of hearing him crap on telling people he's never met what they need.
They would be a person that had the same type of training but modernized in equipment . They would have been up to date as equipment and tactics evolved studying bjj and using gun silencers and maybe a wakizashi, a throwing knife and or shuriken, and compound bows
HELLO TO ALL NINJA AND SAMURAI ENTHUSIASTS!!! ON BEHALF OF ANTONY CUMMINS I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT HE DOESN'T RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS FOR REPLIES TO HIS REPLIES. IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE CHANNEL ANTONY WOULD LIKE YOU TO START BY WATCHING HIS 2020 DOCUMENTARY.
His points about "Modern Ninjutsu" and "Ninja Boomers" are spot on.. I teach a variety of styles, mostly Hapkido, Taekwondo, Judo, a little Karate and Kung Fu.. the point about "Ninjutsu" not being a "hand to hand system" is a little speculative, only because traditional training is so incredibly rare in todays world, including in Japan.. I am a "Ninja".. But I cant legally teach those kinds of things to the general public, nor can I morally give anyone such knowledge without having 100% trust in their ability to control themselves and follow the code.. Because it is about the tactics, the strategies, and the ability to succeed in the mission, using whatever methods it takes, however long it takes.. The types of severe training methods used to train and test the mind and body are not taught just anywhere, nor are even most of the strongest of men capable to endure all the physical pains and rigors of such training, let alone the mental and emotional "conditioning", haha.. The things I am capable of are highly illegal, and in todays world serve no real purpose, I'm not "Batman".. "Selfish Intentions are never the way of the True Ninja".. Having a combination of skills adding up to what I would consider a "modern day equivalent", is a rather lonely world, if you are even capable of understanding such a statement.. And anyone who thinks they can just survive in the wilderness, I dare you to put yourself through two weeks of "Isolation and Adaptation Training", (just let people know where you're planning on going, in case they need to go look for you, or your body).. I myself do not use "High Tech" equipment; One, because its ridiculously expensive (and how often would I actually use it?!).. Two, because I believe in order to retain what historical aspects I can, I should use nothing more than "the original's" had.. I've always made the majority of my gear and clothing by hand.. and out of the "18 skills", the only one I'm really lacking is, "Horsemanship".. which would be really nice to become proficient at.. Ok, shooting a target while on a motorcycle is a good skill too have, sure.. but it will never be the same.. besides, gas engines are much louder than a horse on soft ground.. know what I mean?.. maybe you don't.. maybe you do now.. not my concern.. If I said I wasn't "Ninja", I'd be lying, but that is also part of the job sometimes.. so think whatever you want..
You don't see people making those claims often unless they're a youngster or something. Let's take you on your word, would you able to share anything that you know?
Could it be that the ninja people after the restoration knew that the methods of ninjutsu was not needed anymore and was outdated. And they just keept training the martial arts techniques.
I never see anybody even try to put some pressure on these moves. I have never heard anybody say "Now try and get out" Am I wrong or has that happened before?
So... Ninjutsu has a long curriculum... The most markable stuff are sabotage, spionage and assasination, but therefore, Ninjas would have a background with samurai and even monks arts... Because, that's the way it was done, Daisuke Tokagakure was a Ronin (Masterless Samurai), so in this condition the Martial Arts part of "Ninjutsu" and "Bugei/Koryu" are pretty similar or even maybe equal; that "N" word just bring the unconventional part of warfare into this topic. At the end of the day, if you took an Iga no mono well skilled (Those hired as "Ashigaru" or "Spy" role to an army) or an Captain of the Army (High class samurai), they would fight using the "same" method, because in the end of the day, both Martial Arts origins are the same.
On this side, you got the Ninja Boom Community. On that side, you got the Historical Manual Enthusiasts. Over there, you got Sho Kosugi. And there's no Kosugi like Sho Kosugi like no Kosugi I know!
Ninja is one who applies the skill of the root word, NIN. Just like Judo had a Judoka (not the "ja" obviously) or one my apply Budo (way of the warrior) and can be a Budoka. But ninja can in many different forms. Assassination was not the heart of the ninja. Hiding in the shadows was not as popular as hiding in plain - sight. Assassination wasn't the go-to method of ninjutsu. If they went around habitually killing people it would raise awareness that would bring un-wanted attention. "Nin" for the word nin-ja is characterized by a blade/axe over a heart. It is a matter of being able to survive adversity. In truth, the spirit of the ninja is just that, over-coming. I don't see the purpose of doing away with the word ninjutsu since we are talking about the practice of an ancient art. It's is identifying what skills one is seeking to hone and/or embody.
*Assassination was not the heart of the ninja.* The heart is survival and resistance to oppression. Guerrilla warfare. It is very much alive, today. Nin= Stealth Ja= Person Anyone else love sneaking around at night, just to enjoy the scenery? Do you feel safer and freer at night? You might be a ninja!
It is about skill set and mission that determines if one is a ninja today it doesn't matter where all of it comes from. I asked Charles Daniel 7th Dan under Hatsumi how could I learn stealth and he said to study cats and he trains in Chinese arts now. I asked I Him about learning kuji kiri and he said do u really need it?
Basically what he saying is that ninjas are not fighters!!! They can fight but it's not the main purpose of being a ninja. Being a ninja is more mental than physical. It's pretty much prep time for invading an enemy environment. It's basically studying surroundings and figuring out the enemy whether it's before or in a middle of missions. If there was such thing as a modern ninja they would steel security numbers, identity theft, robbing, burglary, terrorist attacks like 911 and killing without leaving any sign of evidence that a detective can easily find. Real ninjas are criminals,tacticians, Nerds, and scientists. Real ninja:BatmanFantasy ninja: Naruto franchise Batman>Naruto franchise
Depends on the type of ninja. Some ninja moved with a Samurai army and preformed night raids. These ninja would need to know how to fight. Antony's argument is that hand to hand combat, fighting with no weapons, is a very small part of ninjutsu.
Lumping and reducing the variety of opinions on a subject into distinct polarised opposites of each other is always problematic. Such an approach is far easier than adequately grappling with the wide spectrum of complexities in full and can easily be made to nicely fit the subjective opinion of whoever.. It's for this reason academics generally frown on reductionist arguments made to determine (fit) a particular viewpoint. By the way, the implied thrust of Cummin's argument - that many people in training have a misguided belief they're actually training as a 'ninja': riding on horseback, throwing smoke-bombs whilst casting spells of invisibility, etc, etc, is a wild exaggeration.. Those who actually identify themselves as a 'ninja' in this way, are, in reality, a tiny minority operating on the fringes of pretty much any organisation.
Moral of the story is, if you want to do ninja things in real life that's applicable to today, join the special operations community... If you want to be the sneakinest larper in the world, go to Japan an learn ninjutsu. Modern day "ninjas" are about as useful and deadly as a modern day Greek with a sword and shield calling himself a spartan... Once ninjas were badass. Modern day ninjas are just grown ups in pajamas. Don't believe me go watch UFC 2
The name used today is ninpo which I believe gives the idea of learning and of law. I think it's more appropriate for the Japanese to define there own warrior traditions and not westerners. It's also obvious the ninpo grandmasters are not invited to any of the larger koryu Club gatherings but they are recognized by some smaller ones. Not even all professors agree with all things ninja or samurai. I think train in what you love and become proficient in that and read the ancient translations that antony put out also sun tzu the art of war, ninpo secrets and the book of five rings. I also enjoyed dian skolls books as well. But remember translations is someone else's work and not the translator. The translator only puts it in a said language for a profit and not trys to reinterpret or become a revisionist
Great video. For me was very dificult to let go the ninja fantasy but well im happy to understand that i will never be a ninja but i can keep the philosophy of one xD
I'm a huge fan of your work!! Fyi you say 1668 but video shows 1868. I mean no harm but wasn't sure if you were aware? Keep up the great work please!!!!
Changing the name doesnt change the fact that NO EVIDENCE of first hand accounts of ninjutsu ever existed. Only 50 years AFTER the war period did theses text start popping up. It is utter myth mixed up with some facts.
Of course, but that's okay right. Not everything has to be real. Not everyone does martial arts for self defense. I like it because it's fun and reminds me of the karate competitions I did when I was younger. I think as long as people know that it's not useful or even counter productive, and that they're doing it just for fun and/or exercise or something, then there's nothing wrong with it, right?
Trained with ya on the mat Ant asked myself when i was training Bujinkan what are we learning Togakure ryu is Ninjitsu ? Koga Ryu etc are Samurai combat schools but ya cant find anything about the 9 schools unless ya go through the Bujinkan. But the moves are there so are they legit
You mentioned at the 5:49 mark Katori Shinto Ryu and what was the other school that continued on with Ninjutsu? I can find things on Katori Shinto Ryu, but couldn't make out what you said about the other school. Muhiyoshi Ryu? Interesting video, though I think the title if not also the content will freak people out.
Antony Cummins Ah ok. But Katori Shinto Ryu does teach and train out of the manuals. Who heads that off and how would you say it differs from Kawakami?
+Alejandro Martin Alvarez Katori Shinto Ryu involves particular spiritual and martial practices adopted from Shugendo and Mikkyo sects; there are combat and infiltration strategies as well. Some of these passed to the then Iaijutsu/Bujutsu styles like Kage Ryu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu etc. and especially Suio Ryu.
I used to think of ninjas as a kind of warrior, i imagined it as a guy that would enter a building kill one guy and get out... I think the real ninja is much more badass...
@@Malakai468 I see. Thank you. So the emphasis on stealth preceded endurance. Interesting. 'We need to do this' grew into 'Shit, this is more important!'
i am reminded of what hubris really means when watching the comments .............. all stories are good the only true prerequisite for gung fu for mushu ranin ninja or bushido is belief .......... rabits foot does not make you lucky belief helps you find positive solutions the rabits foot is then a tool of focus,,,,,,,,,, the hubris people feel
i completely agree ninjustu has not evolved since long ago because it's had not reason too. ninjustu as why of thought has become static because it's really been left of at it's magnum opus with a world(japan) at full war and dispute of land and wars with china and the disbarring of swordsmen. ninjustu had it's time where it was nearly the ultimate mind set for the time, and of coarse it's still a mind set i try and live by (better the honey boo boo tv generation). i also agree that it would take something of a full dismantle of the status que and total chaos to come even close to a point where the ninjustu (element) were to evolve. even then how ever you'd need thousans of true ninjustu minded individuals for the "new ninja way" to come even close to being an extension on ninjustu and not just some neo fluff. thats alot of 'ifs' and even then it's hard to even fathom what would change besides the skill set. this is more due to the "ninjustu is doing this move in this way" mind set. i mean you had thousands of people, on an island, letting go of there fear of death, righting out what they saw as the "truth between lies" as i'v called ninjustu before. edit: a little tac on bit.as far as "an update" to skills for those of us that hold on to the word ninja, think...magic. magic was very important to them because it inspired beliefs, magic to them and magic to us are vastly different but still the same. what i mean is you are tricking someone to believe, or to see something that isn't real. look at David blane or better yet Darren brown. they are closer to ninja then most of us are now an are not even trying. the 'fantasy' side of ninja can be real IF you make someone believe and experience it.(not same go do this, just keep that in mind) you can vanish in a flash, you can make objects appear or vanish, you can even seem to tell peoples futures, people do these things everyday under other names, magician, evangelist, ghost whispers, Nero-linguist. every thing you do is always as it seems, and not depending on who is precieving your actions. if you want to 'update ninjustu' start with the modern minds of others, the rules are still the same, but the faces and places have changed.
Ninja: the average peasant collecting informations at the local bar, the average geisha with a hidden blade into her hair ready to assasinate a Lord, member of buddhists or confucianists secret societies with weird traditions and customs, the samurai murdering the rival Lord for the sake of his own Lord in the middle of the night, a group of merchants travelling from Japan to Koreea or China,etc. The outfit problem: of course during a mission in the night you will dress with something compatible with the colours of the nigh, demon masks for intimidation,etc. AND FUCKING of course that during the daylight they were the average peasant, the average samurai,etc.
I do want to let go of the words ninja and ninjutsu, It has a sort of silly stigma attached to it when brought up in conversation. The principles however, i want to hang on to those! You can learn lots of ninjutsu from the military or police.
So because you are a historical researcher you think Ninjutsu should stay in history and not evolve? I agree with you on the historical significance of Ninjutsu and it relation to the martial arts, but to say that it can't evolve is ridiculous in my opinion. If I in fact have a Dojo that teaches 80% Ninjutsu and 20 % Hand to Hand, what is to say that my Dojo does not teach historical as well as modern Ninjutsu techniques. Many of those are the same but with modern tools. What about the spiritual significance of Ninjutsu? Whether historically true or not, the spiritual attraction and significance of Ninjutsu exists, even for you. Why don't we come together in the martial arts instead of dividing among camps? The whole of martial philosophy is rooted in unity through martial respect. I enjoy the work you do to bring historical reality to those that lost their way among commercialism of the art.
A lot of this does seem to come down to agreeing on what an individual means when they use the word "ninja" or "ninjutsu". There is another interpretation not presented here; sort of the Shephen Hayes angle. To read his work, the historical ninja's espionage & strategic skill set originally stemmed from a perspective born of spiritual and mind-development practices. These practices would and do evolve into modern manifestations. "Ninja" today would still learn personal combat skills, but would study knives & firearms instead of swords & shuriken. They would learn stealth, but study security camera evasion instead of castle-floor walking techniques. And their strategic practices would involve understanding of modern political structures instead of medieval fuedal systems. Hayes still teaches many of the "old ways", but one gets the idea. Their core philosophical understanding of human nature and the natural world can adapt to modern needs. But then would a person with such skills be a "ninja"? Not in the historical sense.
I agree with you with the exception with regards to evolution ending in 1868, as all the things you speak of was taught in Dux Ryu Ninjutsu (cenistry, bomb making, surveilance, etc.) beginning in the 1975 and priorto that with ninjutsu practitioneers who were my mentors... Your opinion is based upon being caught up with the word ninja and ninjutsu itself...
I don't really understand what you are saying in this video. It seems like you're quibbling over the word 'ninja?' Claiming it for one group or the other?
Antony I think you are confusing modernization with westernization, Japan's modernization has often been confused with Westernization. Modernization means to reshape a culture into modern day, whereas westernize means to replace some cultural influences with the west. Therefore if a Ninja culture exist it can be modernized or westernized, which in fact is usually the case... Historical practice is a cultural practice, historical practice can fit into the modern world... and westernized in Hollywood. Without knowledge of the past there is no future, so YES there can be modern Ninja while they are culturally dead and gone, it would be the way of the Ninja. Much like, the way of Bushido! Both entangled from the Sengoku period... The way of Bushido is still practiced today in it's mutated form as well Ninjutsu mutated. Samurai where still around in the 1800's fighting in Saigo's rebellion... The way of Bushido was modernized in World War II to the present. Ninjutsu has been adopted in modern ways, much like bushi. The practice of medicine was around before Ninjutsu, it's just a collection of information and ideals...that is Ninjutsu.... it includes diguise, poisons and martial arts etc... Such and such Ninja Boom groups would disagree with you separating Martial Arts with Ninjutsu... because they practice both MA and Ninjutsu... common sense tells us you must know how to fight before you climb a wall and burn down a building.
Also I think Antony is wrong to say that modernising Ninjitsu would merely be SAS, espionage etc. sure if it was nothing but modern espionage but I'd assume anyone modernizing ninjitsu would keep the useful, esoteric & culturally specific parts to add to the chemistry, technology & counter surveillance stuff or it wouldn't be an evolution, more a complete westernization.
@@studleymanhorse3042 at some point , the japanese government will have scanned and read all those 'secret' scrolls and any usefull skills that translate to modern day , will be taught to their security services as trade craft.
Bujinkan rarely refers to it as ninjutsu openly. It is there, it's more ancient Samurai. Ninpo is there, but Soke wasn't a fan of all the misunderstandi g. Officially Budo Taijutsu. I can't speak to other dojos but mine goes slow and full speed in training but you need to be so careful. Very easy to break a joint. Definitely not an easy system to master.
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Not bad for a researcher who doesn't read or speak Japanese but interprets someone else's interpretation. Lol this guy is a good. Research him before you believe him.
He seems to be one of these "I know it all I debunk everything" types.
When I first saw a portrait of Hattori Hanzo, I was bitterly disappointed because I was under the allure of the Ninja Boom image of black-clad wall-climbing roof-walking ninja. But on the portrait I saw a balding elderly man in a samurai armor. That was the moment when I first realized that ninja might not be what they were portrayed to be.
for me childhood was rural Hawaii...80ties, I was obsessed with martial arts and ninjutsu was very popular. Later on I was involved with judo, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and football. I founded one of America's first mixed martial arts clubs and a Ninjutsu group showed up to try their hand in the cage. They wore full ninja gi down to the tabi boots and weren't initially taken seriously even tho they were compeditive until their head instructor went 5 and 0 in American Shooto MMA competition.
I trained with them for a few years and was granted a sensei rank in Taijutsu... many years later a guy showed up to my gym talking about Bujinkan and I was not familiar...
after looking up Bujinkan online it's kind of difficult to accept because it seems so hokey.
Fake no-touch Masters are very detrimental to the martial arts world and although Bujinkan doesn't seem to step over this most important line it still maintains a lot of theatrical techniques that in my opinion have no place in the hardcore world of ancient medieval Asian combat
My attitude about Tai Jitsu is vale tudo striking with anything goes Judo style lapel work... I don't think ninjas bothered with much of the techniques they depict on the bujinkan videos as their motivation was simply in and out survival or Battlefield expedients!
I have to assume the theatrics are simply an intelligent business attitude rather than a realistic take on Ancient medieval Asian combat or its modern day equivalent!
Its hard enough to get people to take Ninjutsu seriously without kung fu movie choreography and dangerously hokey fake Aikido style no-touch throws!?!
Hawaii had its own beasts. Abraham Kamahoahoa was one. I lived in Hawaii and I heard stories about many bad ass and tough fellows. He was one. Aloha.
@@andrewcanady6644 I was only a child while I was there but remember how much I loved the culture because it was a interesting mix of American, Japanese and Polynesian. Mahalo
What makes you think Aikido is no-touch?
I can identify with the description of Taijutsu. Perhaps I am.roamantizing it as it was 31 years since I practised it.having just joined a muay thai gym I find that the taijutsu experience when sparring hs definately helped
@@philipgarrett5009 in my experience taijutsu was extremely pragmatic
So basically, if Ninjutsu had evolved into something applicable today, it would be what we refer to today as "spycraft" or "tradecraft."
His manuals talked about samurai, but never about ninja.
Awesome. Yes, these are the things you should be studying if you claim to be a ninja. I love that you mentioned calculating the stars
This was one of your best presentations on this aspect on how this subject has evolved and gives a clear example on Natori Ryu compass heading is.
Dear Anthony, I totally concur. Studying arson, infiltration, etc. is part and parcel with the shinobi arts and sciences. The attachment to the name is a bit much. Thanks again for your show. By the way, I’m still reflecting on seishin of the bansenshukai from time to time. I’m still hard pressed for converting on the conversion units.😂🤣they didn’t have metric units back then!!! Thanks 🙏
He didn’t even like people connecting him with Ninja people.
Let go of Natori ryu don't die a fraud.
Thanks for your work I enjoy your honesty and intellectualism on the subject of "historical ninja".
Agreed on most points.. Except for the modern applications bit.
I do feel strongly that a historical backing and a sorce of principals that can be thought befor a specific lesson, ninjutsu drawn from the manuals is a ver enriching thing to add to any class. The class ia not going to be called Ninjutsu.. But it will have historical backing with in it. It ia very much relevant today if you have the eye and experience to see were it fits.
love the post, excellent info. I'm glad you brought up the point that if "ninjutsu" was taught in a modern context it would be called something else like special operation, who have so many skills that are...ninja. But ninja are in fact religated to Japan's interesting history, and I personally find then inspirational.
This hurt my soul...but it's so true. The hardest part of holdin on is letting it go
Had a jui jitsu instructor that was a Tai Jitsu master. He always was against being grouped with the Ninja people. He just taught jui jitsu. He thought all the ninja stuff was crazy. He wore a black karate gi & had same active yin yang, like your school has. He didn’t think ninja was practical even.
Kind of less related but I do enjoy using the word "ninja" for a high skill in anything. Such as being a multitasking ninja as a casual way to say someone is REALLY good at multitasking.
So basiclly modern day Ninjutsu is what the CIA
anyone who has seen this video and agrees with it doesn't know ninjitsu like they think they do
I would say that if you just got over how Hatsumi treated you when you insulted him, you wouldn't be so anti-ninjutsu.
***For those who don't know, Mr. Cummins became anti-ninjutsu after he arrogantly sent a letter to Hatsumi, in English, assuming he would get an interview with Hatsumi and asking to borrow his scrolls. Hatsumi respectfully declined. Basically this is a temper tantrum because Cummins didn't get his way after being rude and arrogant to the head of Bujinkan.***
Proof?
If you go back to the books of Mr. Hayes and as long as I have known him he has always said there is no unarmed fighting that is ninja(ninjutsu) the Ninja used whatever form of hand to hand that was handy the Togakure Ryu used the Gyokko Ryu and Koto Ryu it seems at times that at times Mr. Hayes and Mr. Hatsumi used the umbrella term Togakure Ryu to describe their art in the early years and it has caused a lot of confusion.
You, sir, are the voice of reason.
I think he's gone insane.
Im thinking, maybe a "spy school" with historical ninjutsu class + the new stuff could keep the word ninja, if its lets say... 60%real ninjutsu and 40% modern spy techniques and tools... Having in mind that most modern spytools are not even known and those that we can know about we cant really get many of them... Yeah you can get a dron with an infrared camera, but it will be a toy if you compare it with a cia dron... So maybe a spyschool based on ninjutsu can keep it at least as part of their definition.
Good idea, I would enjoy a martial art like that. But your comment about civilian drones hasn't aged well has it, aha
A lot of people focus solely on taijutsu as their path into ninjutsu. Some also train/play with traditional weapons. Few will delve into the extensive non-combat related aspects of ninjutsu because it is not as exciting, fun, or seemingly worthwhile. The reality is that people are primarily drawn to the mystique and the "butt-kicking" persona of the ninja and want to cultivate that in whatever way they are able. That's where the cosplay/larping, and the heavy focus on hand to hand fighting come from.
Were ninjutsu in its modern incarnation pursued in a more comprehensive manner, the practitioner would be learning 4g warfare tactics and studying material that expands their knowledge of modern workings, with far less emphasis on old world combat techniques and historical practices.
I talked to my old Ninjutsu trainer about this topic. My question was - Ninjutsu adapted to modern times, we would study hacking etc. He agreed. But anyways, I still love training the traditional stuff :)
btw - I work in IT Security :)
Well said sir, social engineering a must for any respectable clan of Ninja's.
Really great video!
Just placed an order for four more of your books brother.
Loving your work!
I got them through Amazon and some are coming via the UK. Not sure if you seen these orders come through but if you do and if you’re happy to sign/stamp one of them for me that would be greatly appreciated. If not no sweat
So what about the ones that want to learn both but have no one in their area that teaches
I believe due to the nature of the term Ninja takes on a more broad classification of stereo types and thus it fits many alter ego. I think that is why people latch on to the image they portray as the Ninja in modern martial arts dojo. That feeling of elite-ness among a broad group of martial arts also played a part in the boom. Hollywood has portrayed the ninja as everything from demons to magical ascetic warrior monks to phantasmal villages of people that can disappear or melt into the earth or bend ether under a higher order of ideology and mysticism. This has opened it up to pretty much be anything you want to imagine your self as portraying. Ninjutsu is infiltration and information gathering and the art of guerilla warfare. It is and always has been an intricate part of the military arts. Many so called Modern Ninjutsu practitioners do learn the skills of survival and infiltration/information gathering and guerilla warfare thus calling themselves ninja rather than binding themselves to Special forces or other such group fictitiously. The modern ninja is that symbol of the freedom fighter in a black costume and it is a unifying symbol like the uniform of any military. I do not think there needs to be any divide among historical practitioners or modern practitioners. Both have merit in society since both are ninjutsu. It was to some degree in every martial tradition at one time in history weather lost in modernization or not. I don't see any reason why any legitimately lineage Akido school or other can not advertise to have ninjutsu in its lineage as well... as long as the skills are attained, who cares. And if you want to run around in modern Gi or BDU or Hakama that is your business to what you use as a unifying dress among your students and practitioners. Technically I think Mr. Antony Cummins is right but socially I think the word Ninjutsu can be unifying if we understand it in its actual context. I do think we need to stick to historical teachings as far as historical goes but also let it evolve and modernize , that is the nature of it. Historians can be fighters and fighters can be historians....
They would use more modern camo but the goal would be a silent warrior that could be on the black market for hire. Maybe they learn from a Seal and take tai chi etc
Ninjutsu is a generic term anyway, it's a quick, easy and convenient way to roughly describe in a word what your martial art is about when explaining it to non-martial artists. We all know that only a couple of the 9 Bujinkan schools are actual ninjutsu.
Dear antony, please do a video that has to do with the "chosun ninja". I would much appreciate it.
Ninjutsu is more about trickery disception and being manipulative than doing these infiltration assassination missions. Ninjas wouldn't really operate well in the military because they don't have armor and are likely to get killed instantly. Why would anyone get involved with guns bombs and traps. Ninjas avoid danger to make there jobs easier. The point of ninjutsu is to attack the enemy off duty not in the middle of combat. for example a ninja would kill of a general or soldier when he is on vacation. Ninjas were not the only warriors known for stealth. Native Americans and Maori warriors were much more like the special forces than ninjas because they mostly use stealth, traps and survival tactics. Every warrior throughout existence should learn to survive on there own in the wild. A KGB agent would be more similar to a ninja than a special force soldier. Here a video that pretty much sums up what a ninja is:m.th-cam.com/video/KWBFokVoMSQ/w-d-xo.html
The most dangerous warrior of deception!! Deception is the technique used by the MASTERS!!
Word evolves. They move with the time and change meaning.
The Word commando comes from the boer war and the boers kommando,which was mounted infanteri.
But when we say commando today we are not talking about bearded soutafricans on horses.
I saw a man with a t-shirt last summer that Said ”modern wiking”. I am sure he does not plan to dress up as our ancestors. He probebly just ment he was a tradtional scandinavian Who liked to drink beer, have sex and brawl a bit. The world change and so does the language. If the local ninjustsu club like to use the Word ninja. Do it. I know what they meen. Train, have fun, and do not worry so much what everybody ells thinks. 😉
HI Andy, can we say that Tajutsu has its own unique characteristics that are different from both Ju Jutsu or karate? If so can you suggest any sources for the origins of how the movement, stances and kata s have come to be on Taijutsu?
Tainutsu as far as I can tell is an earlier term for jujutsu
Beautiful post, I feel that you logically put it to rest well done.
Those who go to the dojo and put on a gi, practice taijutsu which is only a portion of the original ninjustsu skill set. Wow you actually answered my next question while I was typing it. I look forward to the video about the modern ninjutsu.
"Ninjas" were spies not Hollywood assassins. My instructor had me learn traps used during Vietnam because of their similar construction to "ninja" traps. We also read on how they started fires and caused distractions. Plus we don't use the N word. Its budotaijutsu which covers 7 different ancient arts which includes ninjutsu.
Sounds reasonable. Modern "ninja" would be like special forces. That's available, too, but the training is VERY tough!
So if it evolves past that certain point it is no longer a ninja. It is simply an assassin.
Anyway I've just watched a couple of this guy's videos for the first time in years and I'm already sick of hearing him crap on telling people he's never met what they need.
They would be a person that had the same type of training but modernized in equipment . They would have been up to date as equipment and tactics evolved studying bjj and using gun silencers and maybe a wakizashi, a throwing knife and or shuriken, and compound bows
HELLO TO ALL NINJA AND SAMURAI ENTHUSIASTS!!! ON BEHALF OF ANTONY CUMMINS I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT HE DOESN'T RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS FOR REPLIES TO HIS REPLIES. IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE CHANNEL ANTONY WOULD LIKE YOU TO START BY WATCHING HIS 2020 DOCUMENTARY.
When I was doing Bujinkan I always wanted to learn about the stuff you was talking about but it was always 99% martial arts.
Just read military manuals about camouflage and there are books about ninjutsu discussing being quiet breathing and walking things like that
His points about "Modern Ninjutsu" and "Ninja Boomers" are spot on.. I teach a variety of styles, mostly Hapkido, Taekwondo, Judo, a little Karate and Kung Fu.. the point about "Ninjutsu" not being a "hand to hand system" is a little speculative, only because traditional training is so incredibly rare in todays world, including in Japan.. I am a "Ninja".. But I cant legally teach those kinds of things to the general public, nor can I morally give anyone such knowledge without having 100% trust in their ability to control themselves and follow the code.. Because it is about the tactics, the strategies, and the ability to succeed in the mission, using whatever methods it takes, however long it takes..
The types of severe training methods used to train and test the mind and body are not taught just anywhere, nor are even most of the strongest of men capable to endure all the physical pains and rigors of such training, let alone the mental and emotional "conditioning", haha.. The things I am capable of are highly illegal, and in todays world serve no real purpose, I'm not "Batman".. "Selfish Intentions are never the way of the True Ninja".. Having a combination of skills adding up to what I would consider a "modern day equivalent", is a rather lonely world, if you are even capable of understanding such a statement.. And anyone who thinks they can just survive in the wilderness, I dare you to put yourself through two weeks of "Isolation and Adaptation Training", (just let people know where you're planning on going, in case they need to go look for you, or your body)..
I myself do not use "High Tech" equipment; One, because its ridiculously expensive (and how often would I actually use it?!).. Two, because I believe in order to retain what historical aspects I can, I should use nothing more than "the original's" had.. I've always made the majority of my gear and clothing by hand.. and out of the "18 skills", the only one I'm really lacking is, "Horsemanship".. which would be really nice to become proficient at.. Ok, shooting a target while on a motorcycle is a good skill too have, sure.. but it will never be the same.. besides, gas engines are much louder than a horse on soft ground.. know what I mean?.. maybe you don't.. maybe you do now.. not my concern.. If I said I wasn't "Ninja", I'd be lying, but that is also part of the job sometimes.. so think whatever you want..
You don't see people making those claims often unless they're a youngster or something. Let's take you on your word, would you able to share anything that you know?
Could it be that the ninja people after the restoration knew that the methods of ninjutsu was not needed anymore and was outdated. And they just keept training the martial arts techniques.
Yeah pretty much. But nobody right in his mind would discard the spy mentality, it's the best one that you can have in this world.
I never see anybody even try to put some pressure on these moves. I have never heard anybody say "Now try and get out" Am I wrong or has that happened before?
Well, I guess Bujnkan Budo Taijutsu is a samurai art with a little bit of Ninjutsu then.
Lusitanus it pretty much is ninjutsu has many kinds of martial arts taijutsu is the hand to hand combat
Well the Bujinkan has 9 Ryu under its umbrella, 7 which are samurai arts and 3 that are ninjutsu related.
@@reidkaraba4267 And all are fabricated.
@@stellaraevum799 All martial arts were fabricated at some point.
Good points Antony. Isn't this exactly what Hatsumi's organization has done though? They even say its all forms of bujutsu minus the required armor.
Yes they have. They have shed off their ninja format. But its not got down to all the students yet.
A TRUE Shinobi warrior has the mindset of a chameleon 😉
This is perfect. It's the difference between a Seal and a Sailor. All Seals are Sailors but not all Sailors are Seals. Respectively.
What about the people that practice taijutsu? Where do they fit in?
Real shinobi and their arts are much more interesting than hollywood ninjas!!!
So... Ninjutsu has a long curriculum... The most markable stuff are sabotage, spionage and assasination, but therefore, Ninjas would have a background with samurai and even monks arts... Because, that's the way it was done, Daisuke Tokagakure was a Ronin (Masterless Samurai), so in this condition the Martial Arts part of "Ninjutsu" and "Bugei/Koryu" are pretty similar or even maybe equal; that "N" word just bring the unconventional part of warfare into this topic. At the end of the day, if you took an Iga no mono well skilled (Those hired as "Ashigaru" or "Spy" role to an army) or an Captain of the Army (High class samurai), they would fight using the "same" method, because in the end of the day, both Martial Arts origins are the same.
On this side, you got the Ninja Boom Community. On that side, you got the Historical Manual Enthusiasts. Over there, you got Sho Kosugi.
And there's no Kosugi like Sho Kosugi like no Kosugi I know!
Samurai hand to hand combat was Jiujitsu. This was developed by tje Samurai to defeat those armies that copied their body armour.
Another great video.
Ninja is one who applies the skill of the root word, NIN. Just like Judo had a Judoka (not the "ja" obviously) or one my apply Budo (way of the warrior) and can be a Budoka.
But ninja can in many different forms. Assassination was not the heart of the ninja.
Hiding in the shadows was not as popular as hiding in plain - sight. Assassination wasn't the go-to method of ninjutsu. If they went around habitually killing people it would raise awareness that would bring un-wanted attention. "Nin" for the word nin-ja is characterized by a blade/axe over a heart. It is a matter of being able to survive adversity. In truth, the spirit of the ninja is just that, over-coming. I don't see the purpose of doing away with the word ninjutsu since we are talking about the practice of an ancient art. It's is identifying what skills one is seeking to hone and/or embody.
*Assassination was not the heart of the ninja.*
The heart is survival and resistance to oppression. Guerrilla warfare. It is very much alive, today.
Nin= Stealth
Ja= Person
Anyone else love sneaking around at night, just to enjoy the scenery? Do you feel safer and freer at night? You might be a ninja!
It is about skill set and mission that determines if one is a ninja today it doesn't matter where all of it comes from. I asked Charles Daniel 7th Dan under Hatsumi how could I learn stealth and he said to study cats and he trains in Chinese arts now. I asked I
Him about learning kuji kiri and he said do u really need it?
Basically what he saying is that ninjas are not fighters!!! They can fight but it's not the main purpose of being a ninja. Being a ninja is more mental than physical. It's pretty much prep time for invading an enemy environment. It's basically studying surroundings and figuring out the enemy whether it's before or in a middle of missions. If there was such thing as a modern ninja they would steel security numbers, identity theft, robbing, burglary, terrorist attacks like 911 and killing without leaving any sign of evidence that a detective can easily find. Real ninjas are criminals,tacticians, Nerds, and scientists.
Real ninja:BatmanFantasy ninja: Naruto franchise
Batman>Naruto franchise
Depends on the type of ninja. Some ninja moved with a Samurai army and preformed night raids. These ninja would need to know how to fight. Antony's argument is that hand to hand combat, fighting with no weapons, is a very small part of ninjutsu.
Lumping and reducing the variety of opinions on a subject into distinct polarised opposites of each other is always problematic.
Such an approach is far easier than adequately grappling with the wide spectrum of complexities in full and can easily be made to nicely fit the subjective opinion of whoever.. It's for this reason academics generally frown on reductionist arguments made to determine (fit) a particular viewpoint. By the way, the implied thrust of Cummin's argument - that many people in training have a misguided belief they're actually training as a 'ninja': riding on horseback, throwing smoke-bombs whilst casting spells of invisibility, etc, etc, is a wild exaggeration..
Those who actually identify themselves as a 'ninja' in this way, are, in reality, a tiny minority operating on the fringes of pretty much any organisation.
Moral of the story is, if you want to do ninja things in real life that's applicable to today, join the special operations community...
If you want to be the sneakinest larper in the world, go to Japan an learn ninjutsu.
Modern day "ninjas" are about as useful and deadly as a modern day Greek with a sword and shield calling himself a spartan...
Once ninjas were badass. Modern day ninjas are just grown ups in pajamas. Don't believe me go watch UFC 2
The name used today is ninpo which I believe gives the idea of learning and of law. I think it's more appropriate for the Japanese to define there own warrior traditions and not westerners. It's also obvious the ninpo grandmasters are not invited to any of the larger koryu Club gatherings but they are recognized by some smaller ones. Not even all professors agree with all things ninja or samurai. I think train in what you love and become proficient in that and read the ancient translations that antony put out also sun tzu the art of war, ninpo secrets and the book of five rings. I also enjoyed dian skolls books as well. But remember translations is someone else's work and not the translator. The translator only puts it in a said language for a profit and not trys to reinterpret or become a revisionist
Great video. For me was very dificult to let go the ninja fantasy but well im happy to understand that i will never be a ninja but i can keep the philosophy of one xD
He doesn't say what he believes ninja actually is....
Sengoku Period spies and special forces.
I'm a huge fan of your work!! Fyi you say 1668 but video shows 1868. I mean no harm but wasn't sure if you were aware? Keep up the great work please!!!!
Mr. Cummings did you yourself study ninjistu or whatever you want to call it?
@Anthony Cummins question are you a Ninja,
Most certainly not
Wouldn't it be more helpful to have 3 rooms? Ninja, samurai and Spy? Since the latter of them seems to be the main problem here.
Not the video I was looking for. Was looking for the video where you say. This is not Ninjutsu video
Changing the name doesnt change the fact that NO EVIDENCE of first hand accounts of ninjutsu ever existed. Only 50 years AFTER the war period did theses text start popping up. It is utter myth mixed up with some facts.
Seriously sensible post... well done.
Why is this bloke so fascinated by ninjutsu if he's so critical?
+Major Lee Gasol
Because he is trying to stop the bullshit people spread about ninjutsu?
Bottom line. Both sides are living in a fantasy world. Most of what they are training will not save them in a real life violent encounter.
Of course, but that's okay right. Not everything has to be real.
Not everyone does martial arts for self defense. I like it because it's fun and reminds me of the karate competitions I did when I was younger. I think as long as people know that it's not useful or even counter productive, and that they're doing it just for fun and/or exercise or something, then there's nothing wrong with it, right?
True !!! Awesome video !!
Trained with ya on the mat Ant asked myself when i was training Bujinkan what are we learning Togakure ryu is Ninjitsu ? Koga Ryu etc are Samurai combat schools but ya cant find anything about
the 9 schools unless ya go through the Bujinkan. But the moves are there so are they legit
You mentioned at the 5:49 mark Katori Shinto Ryu and what was the other school that continued on with Ninjutsu? I can find things on Katori Shinto Ryu, but couldn't make out what you said about the other school. Muhiyoshi Ryu? Interesting video, though I think the title if not also the content will freak people out.
Mubyoshi or muhyoshi ryu. They still pass down a ninja scroll but do not seem to train from it.
Antony Cummins
Ah ok. But Katori Shinto Ryu does teach and train out of the manuals. Who heads that off and how would you say it differs from Kawakami?
Dominick7 Who heads it off? To talk about the differences would be big. Join facebook Historical Ninjutsu and Samurai warfare group
+Antony Cummins what??? katori shinto ryu is traditional budo, like samurai combat art, not ninjutsu
+Alejandro Martin Alvarez Katori Shinto Ryu involves particular spiritual and martial practices adopted from Shugendo and Mikkyo sects; there are combat and infiltration strategies as well. Some of these passed to the then Iaijutsu/Bujutsu styles like Kage Ryu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu etc. and especially Suio Ryu.
So , if I go to genbukan ninpo, am I basically just learning samurai bujutsu and taijutsu/ jujitsu.
Yes
Cool, I thought you would say its karate mixed with judo/ aikido.
The jujutsu they teach is atleast authentic koryu jujutsu right
There is a mix element. I will make a video on this in the next few months so keep an eye out 😊
Pěkně mluvíš o ninjutsu,)))
I used to think of ninjas as a kind of warrior, i imagined it as a guy that would enter a building kill one guy and get out...
I think the real ninja is much more badass...
Well anyone who has watched this long video can now call themselves Ninja... "One who endures...." Too much talking to get your point across, Antony.
Doesn't the word relate to stealth, or invisibility?
@@Antraeus no it means one who endures the orignal term shinobi is the term your thinking of but it's commonly confused especially by Western culture
@@Malakai468 I see. Thank you. So the emphasis on stealth preceded endurance. Interesting. 'We need to do this' grew into 'Shit, this is more important!'
Very,very well said .
i am reminded of what hubris really means when watching the comments .............. all stories are good the only true prerequisite for gung fu for mushu ranin ninja or bushido is belief .......... rabits foot does not make you lucky belief helps you find positive solutions the rabits foot is then a tool of focus,,,,,,,,,, the hubris people feel
i completely agree ninjustu has not evolved since long ago because it's had not reason too. ninjustu as why of thought has become static because it's really been left of at it's magnum opus with a world(japan) at full war and dispute of land and wars with china and the disbarring of swordsmen. ninjustu had it's time where it was nearly the ultimate mind set for the time, and of coarse it's still a mind set i try and live by (better the honey boo boo tv generation). i also agree that it would take something of a full dismantle of the status que and total chaos to come even close to a point where the ninjustu (element) were to evolve. even then how ever you'd need thousans of true ninjustu minded individuals for the "new ninja way" to come even close to being an extension on ninjustu and not just some neo fluff. thats alot of 'ifs' and even then it's hard to even fathom what would change besides the skill set. this is more due to the "ninjustu is doing this move in this way" mind set. i mean you had thousands of people, on an island, letting go of there fear of death, righting out what they saw as the "truth between lies" as i'v called ninjustu before.
edit: a little tac on bit.as far as "an update" to skills for those of us that hold on to the word ninja, think...magic. magic was very important to them because it inspired beliefs, magic to them and magic to us are vastly different but still the same. what i mean is you are tricking someone to believe, or to see something that isn't real. look at David blane or better yet Darren brown. they are closer to ninja then most of us are now an are not even trying. the 'fantasy' side of ninja can be real IF you make someone believe and experience it.(not same go do this, just keep that in mind) you can vanish in a flash, you can make objects appear or vanish, you can even seem to tell peoples futures, people do these things everyday under other names, magician, evangelist, ghost whispers, Nero-linguist. every thing you do is always as it seems, and not depending on who is precieving your actions. if you want to 'update ninjustu' start with the modern minds of others, the rules are still the same, but the faces and places have changed.
I understand this I'm on the side on the original ninja studying the true path of the ninja hand to hand combat is just a useful tool if needed
Ninja: the average peasant collecting informations at the local bar, the average geisha with a hidden blade into her hair ready to assasinate a Lord, member of buddhists or confucianists secret societies with weird traditions and customs, the samurai murdering the rival Lord for the sake of his own Lord in the middle of the night, a group of merchants travelling from Japan to Koreea or China,etc.
The outfit problem: of course during a mission in the night you will dress with something compatible with the colours of the nigh, demon masks for intimidation,etc. AND FUCKING of course that during the daylight they were the average peasant, the average samurai,etc.
When it comes to the ninja: "“Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Teh Ching.
Drone strikes, dont forget drone strikes. I guess that makes Obama the only true Ninja today.....
Arrest bush Obama trump all war criminals!
I do want to let go of the words ninja and ninjutsu, It has a sort of silly stigma attached to it when brought up in conversation. The principles however, i want to hang on to those! You can learn lots of ninjutsu from the military or police.
Well said, thank you for clearing that up !!!
So because you are a historical researcher you think Ninjutsu should stay in history and not evolve? I agree with you on the historical significance of Ninjutsu and it relation to the martial arts, but to say that it can't evolve is ridiculous in my opinion. If I in fact have a Dojo that teaches 80% Ninjutsu and 20 % Hand to Hand, what is to say that my Dojo does not teach historical as well as modern Ninjutsu techniques. Many of those are the same but with modern tools. What about the spiritual significance of Ninjutsu? Whether historically true or not, the spiritual attraction and significance of Ninjutsu exists, even for you. Why don't we come together in the martial arts instead of dividing among camps? The whole of martial philosophy is rooted in unity through martial respect. I enjoy the work you do to bring historical reality to those that lost their way among commercialism of the art.
Good video soke
A lot of this does seem to come down to agreeing on what an individual means when they use the word "ninja" or "ninjutsu". There is another interpretation not presented here; sort of the Shephen Hayes angle. To read his work, the historical ninja's espionage & strategic skill set originally stemmed from a perspective born of spiritual and mind-development practices. These practices would and do evolve into modern manifestations. "Ninja" today would still learn personal combat skills, but would study knives & firearms instead of swords & shuriken. They would learn stealth, but study security camera evasion instead of castle-floor walking techniques. And their strategic practices would involve understanding of modern political structures instead of medieval fuedal systems. Hayes still teaches many of the "old ways", but one gets the idea. Their core philosophical understanding of human nature and the natural world can adapt to modern needs. But then would a person with such skills be a "ninja"? Not in the historical sense.
I agree with you with the exception with regards to evolution ending in 1868, as all the things you speak of was taught in Dux Ryu Ninjutsu (cenistry, bomb making, surveilance, etc.) beginning in the 1975 and priorto that with ninjutsu practitioneers who were my mentors... Your opinion is based upon being caught up with the word ninja and ninjutsu itself...
hahahahahaha Gtfo of here Franky...
I don't really understand what you are saying in this video. It seems like you're quibbling over the word 'ninja?' Claiming it for one group or the other?
Long live the Ninjas!!!
The shinobi nomani were the elate of the elate
Antony I think you are confusing modernization with westernization, Japan's modernization has often been confused with Westernization. Modernization means to reshape a culture into modern day, whereas westernize means to replace some cultural influences with the west. Therefore if a Ninja culture exist it can be modernized or westernized, which in fact is usually the case... Historical practice is a cultural practice, historical practice can fit into the modern world... and westernized in Hollywood.
Without knowledge of the past there is no future, so YES there can be modern Ninja while they are culturally dead and gone, it would be the way of the Ninja. Much like, the way of Bushido! Both entangled from the Sengoku period... The way of Bushido is still practiced today in it's mutated form as well Ninjutsu mutated.
Samurai where still around in the 1800's fighting in Saigo's rebellion... The way of Bushido was modernized in World War II to the present. Ninjutsu has been adopted in modern ways, much like bushi. The practice of medicine was around before Ninjutsu, it's just a collection of information and ideals...that is Ninjutsu.... it includes diguise, poisons and martial arts etc...
Such and such Ninja Boom groups would disagree with you separating Martial Arts with Ninjutsu... because they practice both MA and Ninjutsu... common sense tells us you must know how to fight before you climb a wall and burn down a building.
Also I think Antony is wrong to say that modernising Ninjitsu would merely be SAS, espionage etc. sure if it was nothing but modern espionage but I'd assume anyone modernizing ninjitsu would keep the useful, esoteric & culturally specific parts to add to the chemistry, technology & counter surveillance stuff or it wouldn't be an evolution, more a complete westernization.
@@studleymanhorse3042 at some point , the japanese government will have scanned and read all those 'secret' scrolls and any usefull skills that translate to modern day , will be taught to their security services as trade craft.
or the longer name Ninpo Happo Bikenjutsu
Awesome video and I totally agree with what Antony is saying.
Bujinkan rarely refers to it as ninjutsu openly. It is there, it's more ancient Samurai. Ninpo is there, but Soke wasn't a fan of all the misunderstandi g. Officially Budo Taijutsu.
I can't speak to other dojos but mine goes slow and full speed in training but you need to be so careful. Very easy to break a joint.
Definitely not an easy system to master.