Ninjutsu, known as "The art of stealth", is an arrangement of unconventional fighting techniques developed over 900 years ago in feudal Japan. Ninjas utilize a wide range of assaults that include psychological attacks and intelligence operations. The spies of ancient Japan, ninjas mastered methods of concealment, infiltrating restricted areas, using impromptu weapons and applying field medicine. Both women and men were trained in the art of ninjutsu. Female ninjas, or kunoichi, were deadly assassins that would charm their way into places the men could not. The art of ninjutsu, even today, is steeped in tradition and mystery.
Taijutsu (Unarmed Fighting)
Taijutsu unfolds from a series of fluid postures that reflect the kame, the spiritual and physical attitudes of fighting. This is different from many styles, which project attacks from a base of rigid stances, uncommon in real life situations. Training begins with the hira no kame, which is simply a straight standing posture, with the feet hip width apart and hands at the sides.
Punches
For a tsuki, or basic punch, the hand is first held in a fist, thumb on the side. The fist is then rotated so that the thumb becomes the top-most part of the hand. The drive punch requires one to lower the hips and shift the weight of the body forward. The striking hand is outstretched, while the opposite foot slides forward to maintain balance. The fist should strike in a manner which attempts to penetrate the target. The punch can also be thrown from a traditional defensive stance and guard position, where the feet take a widened L-shape, and both fists are raised at the sides of the head to eye level. The lunge punch is performed from the traditional defensive stance, left foot forward and right foot behind in an "L." As the right arm extends to punch, the right foot comes forward, switching to the front position and driving the weight of the body through the punch.
Keri (Kicking)
In ninjutsu, kicks are used mostly to knock an opponent off balance or inflict injury to the lower parts of his body, thereby restricting mobility. The mae-geri, known as a front kick, can be performed by lifting ones knee to abdomen level, then simply pushing out the leg and driving the heel into vulnerable bone and tissue. The ushiro-Geri is used to disable an attacker approaching from behind. While looking back over the shoulder of his kicking foot, the ninja raises the knee as high as possible, then drives the foot back into the shin, knee or instep of his adversary.
Gyaku-Te (Hand Twist)
The gyaku-te is performed with a ninja grasping the back of his opponents hand, covering it with his own. Next, the captured hand is twisted counter-clockwise. While sliding one foot back to gain leverage, the ninja grabs his adversaries elbow with the free hand. Maintaining the twisting pressure, the elbow is pushed forward and down, forcing the opponent to the ground. The outside hand twist is done by the ninja turning his opponents hand clockwise. By twisting the hand aggressively, and extending a leg behind his opponent's feet, the ninja forces him backwards, causing him to trip over the leg.
Elbows
Elbows can be used as re-directed punches. By pulling the fist back into the chest at the final moment before striking, and instead pressing one's weight behind the elbow, the opponent is caught off-guard by the blow.
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