Can "ninjutsu" actually be learned as a fighting art? Is there really such thing as a "ninja" in modern times?

Question

I ve been investigating this whole "ninjutsu" thing for a little bit now and I am wondering if its even really a fighting art. And what about the outfits with the black hood and and suit and all? Is that really an accurate depiction of what ninjas looked like?

Answer 1

Answer: Probably not & No

I could try and answer this directly but extensive and credible research has already been done, you can't top that.

Here's a short quote from the article:

"A fighting Critique:

The advantages of Bujinkan training include a wide variety of weapons, and the lack of emphasis on performing solo kata drills. Students are generally free to use variations of the basic techniques during training. The disadvantages of the system are:

1)The lack of a complete ground game.
2)The use of stances or “kamae” during training that are difficult to use in an alive situation.
3)With few exceptions, Bujinkan schools do not engage in sparring. Techniques are most often trained against an unrealistic attack.
4)Bujinkan does not currently have any significant representation in modern Mixed Martial Arts or Submission Grappling events.
5)A large portion of training time is devoted to low percentage techniques and untested material.
6) Given the Ninja mystique, we at Bullshido have found more delusional martial artists and live action role players in this art then any other. So be careful who you select as a teacher."

For the rest of the study, here's the link:

http://www.bullshido.com/articles/ninjutsu.html

Answer 2

If Shotokan was created around 1936, and Kajukenbo was created around 1947, I would have to say that Kajukenbo is more modern than Shotokan by 10 years, and any martial created after 1947 would be more modern than both Kajukenbo and Shotokan. I am not sure if these comparisons have any meaning. Both Kajukenbo and Shotokan have techniques in it that are ancient and traditional. I don't know enough about Shotokan to compare the two, so I won't even try. In a recorded interview, our founder Sijo Adriano Emperado claims that he didn't create anything new, he just combined existing techniques together. In the interview, he demonstrated what we would call Basic #1, which is a defense against a right punch. In essence, Basic #1, is a head evasion to the left from Western boxing, a left hand parry from Escrima, and a right hand inward block to the opponent's inner bicep, possibly from Okinawan Kenpo Karate, but the angle of the inward block is changed a bit to resemble the Escrima technique known as the "gunting" which is a hammerfist to the opponent's arm, and a right leg front kick to the stomach, probably from Okinawan Kenpo Karate. In Emperado Method Branch, the arm maneuvers would be done first, the front kick a split split second later. In Chaun Fa Branch, all movements are done simultaneously. Sijo Emperado claims that before he created Kajukenbo, no one else combined those moves from different styles before, but the moves themselves are not new. Maybe Sijo Emperado created a training method that is unique and different, but I would not say that it is modern, since very few other arts adopted Kajukenbo training methods.

Answer 3

Yes, Ninjitsu can definately be learned today as a modern art. There are a number of instructors all over the world teaching technqiues under this and other names.

Is the technique as it was in feudal Japan - almost certainly not. In general I'm not even sure that Japanese historians really believe Ninja's per-se really existed beyond a term used to scare local populations.

That said however, I've met a few Ninjitsu instructors and students who are credible, friendly, talented martial artists with some weapons and movement skills that allowed them to participate in a couple of open tournaments. If it's something you're intersted in, find a good instructor and check it out.


Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 4

Ninjas as warrior are obviously no more with modern firearms of today. But ninjutsu is actually the study of 18 bunjikans, which are 18 different schools to teach a Shinobi all aspects of feudal warfare. Everything from horseback riding to meterology to their many inventive weapon systems. The hand to hand school is called taijutsu or nippon. In practacality it is very similar to the tradiotional jujitsu. There are only two true ninjutsu schools in the U.S., Ohio and Texas. Most of the original clans still exisit today in Japan but are very exclusive and require large "donations". As far as black hoods go, yes, for the most part. They were known to dress in disguise for infiltration. The movie "Last Samurai" gives a very accurate of ninjas in action.
So to answer your question ninjitsu itself is not a fighting art, but it is an art of warfare.

Answer 5

It has nothing to do with being a ninja. The art came from the ninja of course, but no one who practices judo these days is known as a samurai. The name confuses people. In fact, the term "ninjutsu" is rarely used by schools anymore, it is usually Bujinkan or To Shin Do.

It is an extremely effective fighting art.

Answer 6

You can learn a heavily modernized version of it nowadays but the concepts of espionage, strategy, guerrilla warfare, assassination, and sabotage are very much alive today. The black suit may have been worn at some point to hide in very very dark places but dark brown, green, or blue are better as camouflage. However, deep infiltration and undercover operations would require costumes more like US special forces or plainclothes detectives; dressing to blend in with the locals or even as straight up bums.

There are no more actual ninjas. There are now Neo-Ninjas.

Answer 7

Yes ninjutsu is a real technique and is fairly common most states have an place where you can learn. You learn many different types of things; i have always been interested in taking classes. You are considered a ninja if you have mastered this technique.

Answer 8

The art of Shinobi , or spying is not only fighting. And all this karate stuff...I really don't know where have they taken it from, but ninjutu includes solid, rock-solid psychical training. You have to learn to overcome some of your primal reflects. Like fro example somebody throws something at you and your first reaction is to try to catch it. Or when you fall, to think "OMG, I'm falling" and instinctively to imagine that you might be hurt. Stuff like that.
It includes also wielding of many tools known only to ninja, as well as physical training which covers the necessities of a spy. Fast memorizing was one of them.
So...karate and kendo aren't necessary ninjutu, but a small part of it...

Answer 9

You can learn it but you have to go to Asian countries to Asian teachers and show them what your made of before they consider teaching you ninjutsu. Very few maybe even a handful are taught the art of ninjutsu.

Answer 10

The art in its entirety is really weakened these days. Ninjutsu is literally the combination of ninja espionage arts: It isn't just unarmed or armed fighting. Of course it is easier and more general to say ninjutsu than to say one or all of the true names for the unarmed/sometimes armed martial art (Which are To Shin Do, Bujinkan, Taijitsu, Ninpo, Budo, et cetera..), but it is kind of inaccurate to say it like that.

It is a very real martial art, but just like many other styles: There's always going to be a few schools that aren't teaching it correctly, or are just giving you crap.

The style itself involves attacks that are usually done to vital points, with additional training in weaponry (In some cases), evasion (Not like jumping into the tree to throw a shuriken, but like combat rolls for example), and if you are in a good school, the style makes for a decent all-arounder. The nature of the style itself is the simple "Get in, and get out" that you might think of when you hear the word ninja, but there's no jumping off of walls or anything. It is mostly a closet combat style with vital point strikes, joint-breaking, joint manipulation/locking, throwing, basic striking, ground fighting in some cases, and more. There's no reason for me to think OMGZ IT IZ TEH BEST!!! because while the style may be different from some other styles: It works in its own way.

As for the second part: There's no ninjas left. There's assassains, but they prefer miltary style uniforms with pistols, machine guns, and lots of bladed weapons. :P
There's spies too, but none of them wear a black hooded uniform, tabi boots, and only carry around a few sharpened weapons. Though it would be cool to see an assassain like that: Like hotsuma from Shinobi, but with an extra sword (Something shorter than his Katana [Like a kodachi]), two pistols, armor in the shape of the uniform, and a rifle. Of course that is me dreaming of techno-ninja showdown 11 or something. :p