The amazing origins of the Fearless Ninja

VIDEO: On the next page, see this kickass historical documentary about ninjas!

Did You Watch Ninja Training Movies When You Were A Kid?

Do you still remember yourself clad with a ninja outfit and pretend you were a ninja in training? Did you imagine yourself doing deadly ninjutsu techniques? Have you ever wanted to go to Japan for ninja training, and learn ninjutsu techniques?

For aspiring ninja warriors remember this philosophy from the great Ninja master, Masaaki Hatsumi Sensei:

When properly applied, the kamae reflects the ninja’s heart. This means that our physical nature conforms to our intentions, and there is no division between our interior and exterior aspects. This state of integrated mind and body action is totally natural, and can be observed readily in the movements of animals as they interact with their environment. Only human beings seem to develop the need to be trained in natural body motion.

The first practitioners of ninjutsu as a martial art form arose in the 13th century. They were inspired by a people who came long before them. The original ninjas belonged to a group of people who were essentially exiles living in the forest. They were very small in number, and developed their skilled techniques in warfare and information gathering out of pure necessity. They developed many techniques of disguise and ways of gaining the upper hand against an opponent who was much larger and had access to more resources.