The Japanese martial art of ninjutsu has been studied for over a thousand years. Ninjutsu is one of the most mysterious martial arts. Even today, it can be difficult to find an instructor who is qualified. Ninjutsu schools are not as prevalent as tae kwon do or kenpo schools. However, if you want to learn about this art, you can invest in a ninjutsu DVD set. Ninjutsu video training is often a convenient and cost-effective training method.
History
The art of ninjutsu dates back to around the year 520 in Japan. Early Japan was divided into dozens of provinces governed by military commanders. Fights for power frequently took place among these commanders. Two famous types of warriors fought in battles--the samurai and the ninja. The samurai lived by a code of honor called the bushido. However, the ninja did not follow a code and they were used in missions involving espionage, information gathering, sabotage and killing of enemy commanders. Modern ninjutsu was developed in Japan between 794 and 1192. Ninjutsu is known for weapons techniques and unarmed techniques. Ninjutsu is also known for its stealth fighting techniques.
Types
There are generally a couple of different types of ninjutsu video training sets that you can purchase. Some videos simply teach and demonstrate techniques of ninjutsu. Other video sets allow you to learn from the videos and then test for ranks in ninjutsu. You can take tests by sending self-made videos to an instructor for grading. You can also sometimes take tests by going to a studio, or dojo, and performing techniques live in front of an instructor.
Costs
Ninjutsu video training is significantly less expensive than training at a dojo. You can purchase complete ninjutsu video courses online for less than $400, as of 2010. Additional fees are typically charged for video tests. Learning similar material at a live dojo over the course of several years can cost participants thousands of dollars.
Advantages
Ninjutsu video training gives you the advantage of training whenever you want in the comfort of your own home. You do not need to drive several miles to a martial arts studio. You can also study material at your own pace. If material is confusing, then you can be replay it on the DVD player until it is clear.
Disadvantages
One disadvantage of ninjutsu video training is that it is difficult to practice many of the techniques without a training partner. You will likely need to find a training partner in order to adequately practice ninjutsu techniques. However, it can be difficult to find a partner who is willing to spend his free time training in the physically demanding art of ninjutsu. It can also be difficult to coordinate schedules with a training partner. Another disadvantage of video training is that there is not an instructor readily available to critique your techniques. There can be small details of techniques that are difficult to understand when learning them from videos. During live training with a qualified ninjutsu instructor, your mistakes can be quickly corrected. This is not a possibility with video training.
Member Comments