So You Want to be a Ninja…
Probably no martial arts personna has captured the fascination and imagination of so many as the mysterious “ninja.” But what makes someone a “ninja?” Is it their martial arts ability or something else?
Say the word “Ninja” to any American and images of silent assassins, clad in black, come to mind with ominous overtones. While that image can intimidate, more often it fascinates and entertains– thanks to Hollywood. But have we really been given the right impression of these ancient warriors? What was it about their particular brand of martial art that has so endured time to provide such a lasting impression in the minds and psyches of so many? What does it really take to be a Ninja?
First, the number one thing that embodies Ninjutsu is “deception.” This is the root of Ninjutsu as well as the chief tool of the Ninja. How is this achieved? It can be done through disguise, distraction and misrepresentation, all of which the Ninja were quite familiar with as part of their early training.
Related to disguise, the Ninja rarely if ever donned the black garb we are so used to in American film. More often than not, the Ninja simply dressed how others around them were dressed to blend in with their social surroundings. Sometimes disguises and personas such as priests, peasants or traveling entertainers might also be utilized if the Ninja needed to gain entry to an area where one of these individuals being imitated might more readily be given passage.
Related to distraction, the Ninja would often use smoke, fire, explosive devices or even the famous shuriken thrown into bushes or against walls to cause confusion or distraction to guards or others that stood in their way of an entry or exit.
Related to misrepresentation, the Ninja loved the stories of shape-shifting, wall-climbing and invisibility that crept into the minds of their enemies. The Ninja themselves around campfires or other social surroundings would often foster or embellish these stories for the purpose of striking fear into their upcoming enemies, of course while dressed as someone the enemy would relate to–not dressed as a “Ninja.” How they achieved these reputations and representations was also accomplished through strategic forethought. Shape-shifting came from stories where one second there was a Ninja seen, then in the next instant an animal or bird had taken their place. The Ninja were illusionists and knew how to use the “technology” of their day to bring about these supposed transformations, minus the actual “magic.” Wall climbing was done with the aid of shuko or bear claws, but were so small that one seeing a Ninja scale a wall would think him a human “spider-man.” And when it came to invisibility, the homes of the Ninja were equipped with many trap doors and hidden chambers so that anyone chasing them into their home that was surrounded and then invaded would have to think the Ninja had become invisible, not simply hidden away in a concealed room or space.
The second thing that embodies Ninjutsu is “perseverance.” In fact, this is the meaning of the word “Nin”– one who perseveres. This name was given to the Ninja by the Samurai, who recognized their tenacious nature. Formerly the Ninja were known as “Shinobi” or “one who gathers information” (i.e. spies). To be a Ninja is to know both patience and perseverance. It was also to know “shame” if looked at through the eyes of many Japanese of the time, especially the Samurai. The concept of honor was not lost to the Ninja, just simply different than that of the Samurai. The Ninja would endure any embarrassment or shame necessary to complete their mission. If challenged, the Ninja had no qualm with retreat as they knew their “honor” lied in the completion of the mission, not the defense of their own personal character. Also, the Ninja felt their greater honor was in not leaving their wives as widows or their children as orphans for someone else to then care for in life. Their honor also lied in their roles as husband and father (occasionally wife and mother as well for the Kunoichi). While the Samurai would kill themselves for loss of sword or situations of disgrace, the Ninja would look at these unnecessary losses of life with disbelief as they greatly valued human life–including their own. They killed only when necessary, in all other cases they hopefully completed their mission by silent entry and exit harming no one in the process.
So you want to be a Ninja? Then first learn the ways of deception and the ways of perseverance. Internalizing these two aspects in your training will go a long way to your transformation as “one who perseveres.”
