The martial
art known as Ninjutsu is a very
secret practice, with a very clouded
history. Its history isn’t documented all that
well, as most of what is known about the martial art is that which has
been passed down orally from generation to generation. There
are a lot of historical records that state families from the Koga region
as being the creators of this very secret style of self defense.
Over 70 different Ninjutsu Ryu (martial arts school
or discipline) have
been identified and discovered over
the years, however most of them have died out. A majority of
them were created around a specific set of techniques and
skills,
although when those skills of a specific Ryu were no longer needed or
wanted, the Ryu seems to die out and fade away from existence.
The art of Ninjutsu is best associated with the Ninjas of
ancient Japan. The ninjas are well known all
around the world, for their stealth and very secreted life.
The ninja is known to have been through very tough and demanding
training, which hardly anyone who has not done it really knows
about. Those that
were actual ninja’s are either dead, or not allowed to let
anyone know their true identity.
During the 1980's, when the ninja trend really hit the United States,
instructors of Ninjutsu popped out all over the place, making black
a very happening color. Years later, the trend seemed to die
out, and there aren’t that many people trying to learn the
art.
In regards to the art, the term of "Ninjutsu" itself doesn’t
actually
refer to any certain style, but rather a group of the martial arts,
with each one having its own view that’s expressed
with each of the different Ryu. The Ryu vary, meaning that
one may focus on one certain style of physical dynamic, while the next
may be
focused on another direction.
What many people aren’t aware of, is the fact that Ninjutsu
involves both unarmed
and armed
fighting skills, along with philosophy,
strategy, and history. There are a few dojo’s
that
offer the art, many of them being quite comprehensive with the way they
teach.
During close quarters combat, Ninjutsu
focuses on distance, posture, and
flow. Stylists are taught to react to every movement, and
respond in ways that will place them in a position of
advantage. From that position of advantage, the stylist
can then effectively change the outcome of the encounter - quickly
going
from a negative to positive situation.
Those that practice the martial art of Ninjutsu are instructed and
trained to use their entire body for everything they do.
This provides
the most leverage and power for offensive movement. Ninjutsu
is well known in Japan but even there it is a very secretive martial
art, yet
very powerful. The techniques can be used for self
defense,
along with stealth. It can be a great martial art to learn -
if you can find a dojo that teaches it.
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